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D.C. 2/Z 

13 April 195'1 

Pages 1 • 29 incl. 

'2"-

REF ID:A53593 

NATO coiFIDENTIAL 

NQTE BY THE S§QRETAR J;B 

to the 

COPY NO. 346 

NORTH ATLANTIC DEFENCE COMMITTEE 

on 

THE ij~OOED Rfi:SkOM lJ :'! NQRTH ATLANTIC _!_TY ORG_!..__TIQ_S:~;__]RITY SX§TEM 

Reference: &• D.C. 2/1 

b, D.C. 2/2 £. n.c. 2/l+ 

si• SGM-112-50 

.!• SGM-295-5'0 

~ \ 

1. At enclosure is a report by the Military Representatives 

Committee to the North Atlantic Defence Committee on the proposed 

Revision of the North Atlantic T~~aty organisation Security 

System. 

2. This paper is primarily concerned with special security 

regulations necessitated by the introduction of CQ9MIC. Unless 

otherwise stated documents marked "IiATO" will receive the same 

care and handling as laid down fg_r national classified material 

in each Nation•s own Security Regulations. In addition to the 

regulations laid down this paper will serve as a guide to the 

National Security Authorities when elaborating their national 

security regulations. 

gotff I~N'i IAL JhA.T 0 

.c. 7 

C.H. DONNELLY 

V.H. PATRIARCHE 

Secretaries 

-1-

Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 09-03-2014 pursuantto E.O. 1352a 

NATO.,....CONFIDENTIAJ/J 
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REF 

' -

ENCllQwmJi 

t~ REPORT BY THE MILITARY BE.aJESENTATIVES COMMITTEE -

to the 

NORTH ATLANTIC DEFENCE COMM!TTEE -

on 

PROPOSED !Y!lVISION ~HE NORTH ATLANTIC 

TREATY ORGANIZATION SECURITY SYSTEM 

References: - s• D.C. 2/1 ~· D.c. 212 

S.· D.C. 2/4 ~. SGM-112-50 

§.• SGM-295-50 

1. At its third meeting on 6 January 1950, the North Atlantic 

Treaty Council approved the secur~ty-system for the North Atlantic 

Treaty Organization /_fJ.c. 2/2 and.~.c. 2/1/. The Council likewise 

approved the action of the Defense ColIID11ttee in directing the Standing 

Group to proceed immediately with the implementation of the entire 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization regulations for the security of 

information. 

2. Appendix "B" to D.C. 2/1 provided for the establishment 

of a Security Coordinating Committee of the Standing Group, this 

committee to be responsible directly to the Standing Group but 

eventually to the Military Committee and the Defense Council. 

3. In Appendix "A" to D.C. 2/1, there was set forth a proposed 

"Security Agreement" PY the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty 

Organization and that agreement has been executed by all of the member 

nations. 

4. In D.C. 2/1 and SGM-112-50, provisions and regulations to 

cover COSMIC d.Ild NATO features of the security system were set forth. 

C ONi'lWN'i!I :Ids= It.A:'f 0 

D.C. 2/7 - 2 - Enclosure 

CONFIDENTIAL~ 
7 

I .. REF 

rn = A5

3593 c•~FIDENTIAL 

5. Experience having shown that there is a need for a revision 

of the security regulations and Standing Operating Procedures, the 

Security Coordinating Committee have reviewed the regulations, and 

partly also as a result of on-the-spot surveys of the operation of 

the security system in certain member countries and in central 

agencies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, have prepared and 

submit at Appendix revised regulations • . 

6. The Appendix is intended to supersede D.C. 2/1 and 

Appendix "B" thereto, and D.C. 2/4, SGM-112-50 and SGM-295-50. 

Appendix 11A11 to D.C. 2/J, the General Security Agreement above 

referred to, and Annex "A" to Appendix "B" of D.C. 2/1, 11Def1mt1on 

of 3ecurity Classification," will be continued in full force and 

effect and are incorporated in the Standing Operating Procedure to 

be read with the revised regulations. 

RF.COMMENDATIONS 

7. The Military Representatives Committee recommena that the 

North Atlantic Defence Committee approve this Report. 

CONF Im!:N'fIAD N-Jd'O 

D.C. 2/7 - 3 - Enclosure 

CONFIDENT'IAL 
' 

-

~ 

REF -ID: A5359 bCW~FIDENTIAL 

CONPIDElff!IAfi N:A:!O 

BASIC PRINC IPLE.J OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM 

FQR THE NQRTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION 

1. This document establishes the basic principles of the 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization security system, the purpose of 

which is to guarantee the application, by each NATO power, of the 

Security Agreement (.Annex 11A11 ) executed by all nations signatories 

of the North Atlantic Treaty. 

2. Detailed rules in the form of a Standing Operating 

Procedure (SOP) designed to carry out the following principles are 

set up at A nnex "B". This SOP will be used also in conJunction 

with the regulations governing the handling and use of cryptographic 

material provided for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

3. Establishm.ent of Agencies to Cont~o.J_ an,<lCoordina~~ 

Security. 

A• At the Standing Group Level: Tbe Security Coordinating 

CommitteeL A Security Coordinating Committee of the Standing 

Group is constituted, composed of French, United States and 

United Kl.ngdom representation. Security representatives of 

other member countries or spokesmen from Regional Security . Committees will be called upon for assistance when necessary. 

The Security Coord~nating Committee is responsible directly to 

the Standing Group for the supervision of security within the 

whole of the NATO system at all levels and for the periodic 

examination of the functioning thereof. Any security policy 

affecting NATO as a whole will require final approval at the 

Council level. 

~. At the Regional Group or Maaor Command Leyel. 

(1) The Regional Security~omznittees. Within each 

Regional Planning Group, a Security Committee is set up 

responsible to the senior organization of that Group. The 

C raff?IB,N'fIAL Nt!f~ 

D.C. 2 ? 

- 4 - Appendix to 

Enclosure 

CONFIDENTIAL 
-

I 

-

• REF ID:A53593

C~FIDENTIAL 

C ON!i'IDENTIA:L ltt'f 0 

Security Committee of each Regional Planning Group will 

meet as necessary to discuss any detailed security problems 

arising from Regional Planning. Where any policy problems 

arise, requiring a revision of or amendment to the standard 

security procedure or necessitating the coordination of 

security measures with another Regional Planning Group or 

central organization, the Regional Security Committee WJ.11 

submit recommendations for approval to the Security 

Coordinating Committee of the Standing Group subJect, if 

necessary, to confirmation by higher authority. 

(2) Each Commander, within his Command, is vested with 

the responsibility to maintain security in accordance with 

these regulations. He will designate an authority for the 

performance of these duties. 

£• At the National Level: The National Secur.J.ty Authority. 

Each member nation will establish a National Security Authority 

responsible for NATO Security within that country. 

~. At the Agency Level: Each agency shall establish a 

security authority responsible for NATO security within that 

country and its National agencies abroad. 

4. Definitions 

§:,. "COSMIC 11 • The word COSMIC has been de signed as a 

security warning only. This designation shall, in addition to 

the appropriate security classification, be placed on all Joint 

and national papers tabled at meetings of any body or committee 

set up under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization which contain 

and reveal: 

(1) strategic or operational lll1litary appreciations, 

plans or decisions. 

(2) Political-military appreciations, plans or decisions. 

(3) Economic planning based on strategic military plans 

and decisions which could lead to disclosure of such plans 

and decisions. 

e~In,NTI:ta:t NtTO 

D.C. 2 7 - 5 - • Appendix to 

Enclosure 

eoNFIDENTIAL 
} 

.. 

REF ID: A53593CQl\JFIDENTIAL 

GO?WIBEJNfIAfi mo 

(4) Classified information of one country tabled 

or circulated by another country, unless the 11 owner 11 

country agrees otherwise. 

,l2. "BW"· on all other joint or national documents tabled 

tabled or circulated within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization the word "NATO" shall appear, together with the appropriate 

security classification. This "NATO" marking, however, does not 

require the special handling or accounting provided for "COSMIC" 

documents, other than as warranted by the security classification. 

and no speciy screening (as required for "COSMIC" personnel) 

is necessary for access to NATO documents. 

;. Responsibility for placing the appropriate word "COSMIC" 

or ''NATO" on documents, dispatches, etc., l'ests with the originating 

authority. 

6. Grading and Downgrading. 

~· Grading. Within the NATO Security System, documents 

will be graded TOP SECRET, SECRET, CONFIDENTIAL or RESTRICTED 

according to the contents. Responsibility for grading will rest 

with the originating authority. Standards for classification 

of documents in each of the security categories are set forth 

•in AJlneX 11C II e 

R• Downgradi.n&,. No COSMIC or NATO documents will be down• 

graded from their original security classifications without agreement or the originator. Si?DJ.larly, no documents will have their 

COSMIC or NATO markings removed except on the authority of the 

originator. Issuing authorities will examine their documents 

frequently with a view to releasing them from the security 

system. The retention of rigid control over information which 

has become public property will lead to a clogging or the 

security machinery and will lessen the security value of the 

system. 

CMI~lf:~Ai Ngo D.C. ? - 6 ,_ Appendix to 

Enclosure 

GONFIDE:NTIAL 
• • REF ID: A53593d '1TIAL NFIDEl' 

GONPIDEIN'l'IAh ~O 

7. Principles of Distribution. 

There will be no automatic distribution of any "COSMIC" 

document, and distribution shall be made on a need-to-know basis. 

It is required that: 

~· At any time, it shall be possible to know who detains 

any given copy of any COSMIC document. 

R• In no case shall a COSMIC paper be in the hands of an 

individual who has not been duly authorized to handle it • 

.s,. The courier system shall be so organized that an 

individual authorized to transport a document can do so without 

knowledge of the contents of the document. 

g. "NATO" TOP SECRET and SOORET documents shall be 

distributed with discretion on a need-to-know basis. 

§.• No electronic transmittal of COSMIC or TOP SECRET and 

SECRET "NATO" material will be made except by means of authorized cryptographic equipment. 

8. Principles of Personnel Screening AP-d Clearance. 

Each national authority will be responsible for screening 

and clearance of all its nationals who h.ve access to COSMIC 

information, be it in national or international agencies. These 

authorities will observe the following pri:m..ples for screening 

and clearance: 

!.• Every individual authorized to have access to COSMIC 

material or inf'ormation, shall be designated by name, and 

certified as positively cleared by the appropriate security 

authority. 

R· The numbers of the above personnel shall be kept 

down to a workable minimum. 

£• They shall have access only to such COSMIC information 

as is necessary to perform their functions. 

Principlas of Physical Security. 

I 

Detailed regulations are included in Annex "B" to 

1 OJft'If>EN'fI.U:i NA:'l'O 

D.C. 2/7 - 7 - Appendix to 

Enclosure 

eeNFieENTIAL. 
• REF ID:A53593 

eANFIDENTIAL 

to insure that in no case will an individual who has not been 

cleared for COSMIC have access to COSMIC information. 

10. Safeguarding of COSMIC Material in Case of an :Emergency. 

Each member nation and agency has full responsibility in 

cases of emergency, internal or external, to safeguard, by timely 

destruction or ot:tBrwise, all registered COSMIC materials. 

g Off.FIDE!ff IAfi-NA'f 0 

D.C. 2/7 - 8 - Appendix to 

Enclosure 

ceNFIDENTIAL. 
• REF ID:A53593 

ceNFIDENTIAL 

CON!i'IDENTIA'.L - NA:'l'O 

.ANJlEX II .'1. II 

SECURITY AGREEMENT BY THE PARTIES TO 

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY 

1. The Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty having formed 

an organization for the purpose of uniting their military 

efforts ~or their collective defense, and realizing that the 

effective planning for this defense entails the exchange of 

clas&ified information among the parties, agree that they will 

protect and saf~guard the classified information of the others; 

will make every effort to insure that they will maintain the 

security classifications established by any party with respect 

to information of that party's origin; will safeguard accordingly such information; will not exploit such information for 

production for other than military purposes; and will not disclose such information to another nation without tne consent 

of the originator. This agreement applies to information 

disclosed by any party to another party on and after the date 

of acceptance of tnis agreement by the parties. 

2. It is agreed in respect to classified information 

communicated by one party to another, that the recipient nation 

shall use its best endeavors within the framework of its laws 

and rules to prevent any loss of patent rights in the information. Specifically it is declared and agresd that: 

!L. Any rights of the originator to obtain patent 

protection in the recipient country in respect of the 

information communicated are not and will not be 

preJudiced by virtue of the introduction of the information into such country. 

~ Each party when so requested by another and to 

the extent consistent with its laws and rules will use 

its best endeavors: 

QONi"If)E!f IAb • N-A:!fO 

D.C. 2/7 - 9 -

Annex 11 .... 11 

to &\ppendix 

CONFIDENTIAL. 
.... • REF ID:A53593 

c@NflDENTJAL 

Q.Olfi"IBi!IN'Pitii NATO 

(1) To have zqainta1ned in secrecy and patent 

application in the recipient country in respect of 

information for so long as may be desired by the 

party or origin, and 

(2) To supply upon request of the originator 

reports of the manner in which the information 

embodied in a patent applicatLon has been used or 

disclosed. 

GON.li'IDl!IN':l?IAL = NA:l'O 

n.c. 2/7 - 10 -

..~ne;.x rr .. rr 

to .. :1.ppond1x 

GONFleENTIAL 
• 

• REF ID:A53593 

-elNFIDENTJAL 

C 91WIBElfff !Ali = N:lt'f O 

.fflmEX "B'' 

STANuING OPEfiATI~G PROCEDURE 

tor the 

SECURITY JYdTEM 

ot the 

liORTH ATLANTIC TRJ£a.'rY OEGAJ.~IlATIO&l 

1. This Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) supplements 

and amplifies the foregoing paper which establishes the basic 

security principles of the 1iorth .Atlanti~ Treaty Organization 

and shall be read in conjunction with SGM 201-50 of 20 July 

• 

1950, containing the regulations governing the handling and use 

of cryptographic material provided !or the Treaty Organization. 

2. It is intended that this SOP be given a wide distribution throughout the ~orth Atlantic Treaty Organization. All 

personnel dealing with COSMIC material must be fully cognizant 

of these principles and regu+ations. 

3. "COSMIC 11 Registries 

Each Command Headquarters, Regional Group, ~~mber 

., 1~atio11 and Agency will set up a central COS1·~Ic registry and 

distributive machinery to handle COS~C documents. One end of 

this organization will be set up at the parent location with 

sub-registries as required. No COS~IC material will be passed 

except through registry channels. NATO documents, if desired, 

may be handle4 in the same manner as COSMIC documents. Ao 

documents other than NATO or )~TRIC ~the Western Union security 

procedure) shall be filed or permanently co-mingled with 

COSl1IC material. ~o personnel other than those cleared for 

COd~IC shall have access to restricted registry areas. 

4. do new registry shall be set up without the prior 

approval of the Security Coordinating Committee. 

O..Q.!!li'..!~fft' IAL•Na:i'O 

n.c. 2/7 - 11 -

Annex 11B11 

to Appendix 

CONFIDENTIAL 
" • REF ID:A53593 ft 

C NFJDENTJAL 

0 ON.li'IDEHf'f IAL-rtt'fO 

5. Distribution Lists 

There will not be an automatic distribution, according 

to security grading of any "COS:MIC" documents, and distribution 

will be made by the responsible secretariat or authority on a 

need-to-know basis. 3uch distribution should be prescribed 

separately for each individual document according to its subject 

matter. Where a particular document is tabled by an individual 

member country, the representatives of the other countries should, 

if required, be in a position to state wnat distribution of the 

document will be essential as far as their countries are concerned and this will be Jointly agreed. NATO Top Secret and 

Secret documents should be distributed with discretion on a 

strict need-to-know basis. 

6. Distribution Procedure 

li· All documents having been graded with the appropriate security classification and distribution agreed 

will be produced in the requisite quantity of numbered 

copies by the responsible Secretariat or authority, which 

will also assign a reference nUmber for registration 

purposes which does not disclose any indication of the 

contents. The Secretariat will then issue the requisite 

number of copies to each Treaty Delegation or Body against 

receipt. The receipt should quote only the serial and 

reference number of the document and not its title. ~o 

11 COS~1IC 11 document will be copied or paraphrased in ful.l 

except upon authority of the originator or the Control 

Officer of' a registry receiving a "COSMIC" paper via 

radio electronic transmission. 

12,. Where "COSMIC" telegrams and .LiATO Top Secret and 

Secret telegrams are distributed internally by the responsible authority, the distribution will be made on a 

need-to-ltnow basis. 

Annex "B" 

D.C. 2/7 - 12 - to Appendix 

CONFIDENTIAL ---

- - -- - - 

--
f • REF ID:A53593 

£. Whenever a COSMIC dooument is transmitted by 

electronic channels the ~essade should include a block 

of copy numbers under which the paper is to be distributed. Moreover when application is made to the originator 

for permJ.ssion to distribute additional copies, the 

originator in granting permission should state the copy 

numbers to be given to tho additional copies when distributed. Within the Treaty Organization departments 

receiving "COSMIC" docwnents may include exti·acts therefrom, 

so far as is necessary, in papers prepared requirinf 

action by subordinate branches or persons who have not 

been authorized to handle ''COSMIC" docwnents. 

7. Control Officers 

The Control Officer for each registry shall be responsible 

for the secure storage of "COSMIC" papers received therein and for 

ensuring the distribution laid do'WD for each document. These 

registries will be responsible also for the security o:t' all "COOMIC" 

documents in transit and for obtaining receipts at all hand-over 

points so that the progress of the package can be traced throughout. 

8. Each Central "COSMIC" Registry will publish periodically 

a list of COSMIC Control 0fficars and alternates and will distribute copies of this list to all other Central Registries and 

interested sub-Registries through the Standing Group. Any changes 

of Ca3MIC Control Officers will be reported promptly to Central 

Registries 1 together with authorized signatures. Central Registries 

will maintain a list of signatures of Control Officers and alternates 

of their sub-Registries, and also numbers of all nationally cleared 

COSMIC personnel, (names of nationally cleared CCEMIC personnel 

will be maintained in the respective sub-Registries). Reports of 

changes of personnel authorized to handle COSMIC material shall 

• be made as promptly as possible to the appropriate Central Registry. 

CQ;N§'JlJEN'f ttL=Nff 0 

D.C. 2/'1 - 13 - .. innex "D" 

to Appendix 

CONFIDENTIAL 
REF ID: A53593 -

CONFIDENTIAL 

.... G ONFIDBN'l'IA:Ei NA'l'O 

9. lpventories of Docunwnts 

There shall be held on 1 July of each year an inventory 

ot all "COSMIC" documents. A second annual inventory on 2 January 

is desirable. In addition control officers should carry out 

frequent unannounced checks of documentary series. The July 

inventory shall be conducted by each responsible Registry as to 

all documents charged out by that registry. When any document 

cannot be accounted for, the procedure set forth in para. 20 

hereof shall be followed. 

10. Destruction of Documents 

Surplus or no longer m eded 11COSMIC" papers may be destroyed by burning on authority of the Control Officer concerned. 

For destruction of all papers in an emergency see para. 25 below. 

A certificate of destruction will be executed by the Control 

Officer or alternate actually performing the destruction and one 

copy thereof will be forwarded to the appropriate Central Registry 

where records of all destruction will be maintained. Attention 

is invited to Para.11 of S.G.M.-201-50 of 20 July 1950, regarding 

destruction of cryptographic material. 

11. To ease the task of the Secretariuts and to lighten the 

load~ of Registries, the final edition of ~ document will 1zldicate the preceding documents which the final edition has superp 

seded and which may therefore be destroyed. 

12. Microfilming 

In order to clear space in Registries, microfilIDJ.ng of 

documents is permitted for record purposes. Microfilm~ must be 

accorded the same security as the original documents. 

13. COSMIC Personnel 

Each National Security Authority will be respon~iu~~ f Jr 

~c~v~tinp and certifying cleared personnel, by name (including 1~1-

div1duals contribut a by that Nation to a NATO Interational 

C: Olfti'!fjEN'f!ili•HA!i'O 

D.C .. 2/7 - 14 - ArulE.'X "B" 

to Appendix 

GONFIDEN+IAL 
• 

REF ID: A53593 ~ 

"tXJNFIDENTJAL 

00NFIBEN'fI:A:L-NXTO 

Secretariat and delegateb to Central Bodies and Agencies) who may 

have access to COSMIC papers. The number or persons cleared to 

handle "COSMIC" papers must be kept strictly to a worka.ble minimum 

but will include secretaries, typists, Registry personnel and 

messengers, as well as executives. Cleared personnel shall b~ ret 

quired to sign a document ~awing attention to their special responsibility for safeguard311g COSMIC information and the consequences 

which the law or administrative or executive order of the country 

provides if, either by intent or negligence, they allow it to pass 

• into unauthorized hands. (Jrlly cleared personnel shall have access to 

• !!' 

COSMIC registries and oth~ offices dealing with COSMIC affairs. 

Personnel visiting any DeJ!irtments ot4er than their own on COSMIC 

,. 

business, either in their r country or abroad, shall first determine from their departmen~rhom they may contact. The visit will 

l 

tnen be cleared by the Depcp:-tment from which the visit originates 

before the person concerned actually makes the visit. The visitor, 

• I 

on arrival, shall produce ~edentials to prove his identity and to 

show that he has COSMIC clearance. 

14. Tran$Ji.ssion 

cosMiq information and _documents may be transmitted by 

f - -

only two means:=._ 

.5!-.· BY iccomparued bag. 

·- ]2. Byit-yptographic arrangements as indicated in para. 

17 below, whichj!iould only be utilized when time does not permit the 

t 

use of accompanij bag. 

~ 

c 

15'. Cour:J,ir.Transmission 

When ~C 

-· 

- material is transmitted by courier, the outer 

envelope will .J\a.dressed to the known permanent address of the 

,_ COSMIC regist:ri;,or the Department or agency concerned. 

I 

- 15' - Annex •B11 

to Appendix 

' CONFIDENTIAL. 
i REF ID: A53593 e 

CONFIDENTIAL 

The word "COSMIC" will not appear on the outer envelope. The 

inner envelope shall be plainly stamped with the word "COSMIC" and 

only the COSMIC Control Officer (or his alternate) of the Registry 

concerned, shall open and receipt for the COSMIC documant(s) enclosed 

therein. Each outer envelope shall pe franked with a package number 

for receipting purposes. Separate receipts will be contained in the 

inner envelope for each document and will be returned to the issui:Q?; 

Secretariat signed by the Control Officer or his alternates. An 

authorized governmental courier puch_may be considered the "outer 

" 

envelope" for the above purposes, provided the regulation in paragraph 

7 of the Enclosure and paragraph 13 above are complied with. Rules 

• 

for local distribution are contained in paragraphs 21 and 22. 

16. Motor or other vehicles containing COSMIC documents will 

never be left unattended. 

17. Electrical Transnussioq ! 

The special cryptographic arrangements which have been 

provided will enable national delegates or their national diplomatic 

representatives at the seat of all NATO bodies to communicate with 

their Governments and will allow inter-communication between all NATO 

Secretariats. Similar arrangements will be made to allow supreme 

Commanders to communicate with Naval, Military and Air Commanders 

and Service Ministries. The only cryptographic system to be used 

for the present time at these levels for COSMIC communications of 

all security classifications and NATO communications classified TOP 

SECRET or SECRET is Typex Mark II with simplex settings. 

18. Press Releases 

Where no joint communique on any COSMIC topic has been 

agreed by the Committees concerned, individual member countn-ies 

wishing to make a release to their own press will obtain clear-

- 16 .. Annex "B" 

D.C. 2/7 to Appendix 

CONFIDENTIAL 
• REF ID:A53593 

~NFIDENTIAL 

COlf' IB'§N'f IAI:i NA!£0 

ance from the Secretariat before doing so. No classified information may be the subject of a press release. In the event of 

it being desired to release classified material to the press, 

it must first be declassified by the originating authority. The 

Secretariat of each North Atlantic Treaty body or committee will 

normally be responsible for seeing that this is enforced. Where, 

nowever, any Committee is meeting for any reason away from its 

nor.Mal location, the security aut,1ori ty of the host country will 

be responsible for taking all possible precautions to prevent I 

leakage of classified information through unauthorized press 

releases. 

19. Military Security Committees 

outside the COSMIC Security procedure, it will eventually be necessary for t~e members of NATO to exchange detailed information and material whicn, although it has a classified security grading, cannot be limited in the same way as 

COS~1IC information fo:r tne reason that to be of practical use it 

must be widely distributed. For example, classified training 

manuals or weapons being standardized for use by all member 

nations but tne property of one member will have to be used for 

training. Similarly, member nations may offer to accept or 

exc.hange students or observers for special courses. In order to 

safeguard this type of infor~tion, Regional Planning Groups 

will set up Military Security Committees as and whe~ necessary. 

The function of these Military Security Committees will be to 

satisfy tne Regional Planning Groups, and eventually the Standing 

Group and the Military Committee, that security standards in 

the Service Departments and Forces of all the member nations 

are adequate to allow a confident exchange of any classified 

information and material not suitable for nandling within t~e 

COSMIC procedure. 

C011f:!'f)Efff llfi•NA'PO 

D,C, 2/7 ... 1_? - Annex "B" 

to Appendix 

CC>NFIDENT1AL 

• 

• 
REF ID: A53593 -

CONFIDENTIAL 

0 ONfi'IBEIN'I'Iila NP& 0 

GENERAL SECURITY PROVISIONS -

- 20. Custody 

Any person receiving a Cf.PMIC or NATO document shall be 

responsible for its safe custody and shall ensure that at all 

times, when not in use, it is securely stowed. When the holder 

- of a document no longer has use for it, he should return it to the 

responsible Registry. Whenever such a document is lost, misplaced, 

or compromise suspected, the perso~ char6ed with its safe custody 

should immediately inform the respous1ble Security Officer so that ~ 

an investigation may be started at once. Att~ntion is invited to 

paragraph 10 of SGM-201-50 of 20 JUly 1950 regarding action to be 

taken in the event of loss or suspecfed compromist of any cryptographic material. All COSMIC documents will be kept in threecombination stell safes or their elUivalent. aare combinations should 

be changed periodically at intervals of not less than six months 

and whenever there is a change in ~ersonnel or compromise has 

occurred or is suspected. Special precautions should be taken to 

prevent safes being left closed but unlocked. 

I 

21. Distribution , 

Strict adherence to good security practice is necessary 

in the distribution of COSMIC and NATO documents within departments, between departments in the same city, and between cities 

in the same country or in another country. Classified information 

has, of course, frequently to be conveyed by word of mouth. No 

formal system of security will prevent indiscreet converations, 

but a sense of responsibility and discretion must be 

instilled into those who have to be let into secrets. They must 

be educated not to discuss secrets outside their offices, never 

30Nii'IB,N!I:AL N;A;!O 

o.c. 2 7 - 18 - Annex "B" 

to Appendix 

GONFIBENTIAL 
REF rn:A53593 c\NF IDENTIAL 

CQNFJ.BEI~ Iil•NA'fO 

to talk about them in their offices in the presence of strangers, 

and in no circumstances to mention them over the telephone or 

other electrical transmission device. 

22. Buildings 

Buildings must be secure. TP,e following pract:tces are 

recommended: 

j. Control af entrances. This includes the closing of 

unessential entrances, the barring of windows and other 

means of entry and the provision of alert doorkeepers to 

guard authorized entrances • 

.Q. Pass Systems. The issuance of passes should be 

controlled in that they shall only be issued to those who 

really need1 them; that the holders are instructed to return 

tnem waen they no longer require them, and that a record of 

the holders is kept. Passes should be made valid for a 

specified p~riod only (say 12 months) waen they should all . . I ~ 

be called in and new passes of a different design or color 

issued. Passes should bear the signature of the holder and 

should pref,grably include his photograph and at least one 

fingerprint • 

.£:. Control of Visitors. Visitors, whether official or 

u~official,r'Wl10 do not hold pa;ses should be allowed access 

only on registering in writing their name, title, address 

and official to be visited, with the doorkeeper and should 

be provide'\:~ith a temporary pass valid only for that 

I. -

partieular y1sit. This pass should include tne visitor's 

name and the name of the official wno is being visited. 

Before bei~ allowed beyond the entrance or reception desk, 

the doorkeeper s~ould check with the official whom the 

visitor wi91es to see that he is willing to receive him. 

Thereafter the visitor should be escorted to the offioial•s 

D.C. 2/? - 19 ... Annex 11B11 

to Appendix 

• 

CONFIDENTIAL 
REF ID:A53593 

-&NFIDENTIAL 

OONi'IDIBN'fI:Afi NA'l'O 

room by a messenger and the otf1c1al should be made responsible for conducting the visitor back to the building 

entrance when the interview is concluded and for signing and 

handing in the temporary pass issued on entering. 

g. Office Security. Rooms should be locked when left 

empty or all classified documents securely stowed. When a 

visitor is received, classified documents should not be 

left where they can be read by the visitor. 

The senior official in each office will be personally 

responsible for the security of that office, He will cause, 

inspections to be made after the close of business to determine 

that all classified documents are securely locked away; that 

safes, filing cabinet&, lockers, desks and any other containers 

are properly locked; that windows, bars and doors are secure; 

that alarm systems are turned on; and that classified waste 

paper has been gathered up for burning. 

When it is necessary for classified documents to be 

passed from one official to another in the same building, 

they should either be taken by hand by the official or, if 

given to messenger, should be enclosed in envelopes. Documents 

conreyed between buildings should be suitably enclosed. 

Night watchmen who must have been screened should be 

provided, and they should regularly patrol the building 

throughout the night. They should check that all safes and 

cupboards are locked and that no classified documents or 

waste paper have been left lying about in offices. Keys 

of room doors, safes and file cabinets should never be removed 

from the building and, at night, should be deposited at 

some central point where they are under the control of a 

specially selected Duty Officer. 

CONFIB~'fiili N-k'fQ 

D.C. 2 7 - 20 - Annex 11B11 

to Appendix 

CC>NFIC>ENTIAL. 
.. REF ID:A53!?93 ~ 

C NFIDENTIAL 

C Oifti'If>EN!IAL NM 6 

SEQURITY MEASURES IN AN EMERGENCY 

23. Consideration must be given to the possibility of a 

grave emergency suddenly arising which will require prompt and 

effective action for the destruction of COSMIC documents. Such an 

emergency may be created by suversive elements within a country, 

o~ by armed assault from WJ..thout. 

24. It is not practicable to lay down comprehensive instructions or regulations for specific and uniform application throughout the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Moreover, distributed 

documents must be considered the property and responsibility of 

National and/or Regional and Central agencies and Command 

Headquarters. 

25. Copies of all "COSMIC" and "NAT011 pc.p ers that have been 

tabled and circulated to member nations and agencies are, of 

course, also held in the files of central body secretariats, so 

that the loss by destruction of such papers in a National Registry 

will pose no insolvable problem. However, Control Officers of 

all Registries are authorized to microfilm documents, and to insure 

that in emergency all COSMIC and NATO documents held WJ..11 be 

destroyed without reference to originating bodies. One over-all 

destruction certificate shall be submitted to each interested 

Secretariat. 

26. National Security Authorities and Regional Security 

Committees should, therefore: 

~· Consider the problem and devise such emergency 

security plan as is best adapted to la:: al conditions in 

coordination with National 3ecurity Authorities on the 

spot; and 

£. Promulgate, within their respective organizations, 

such instructions as are considered necessary to prevent 

COSMIC papers, correspondence, cyphers, and equipment from 

falling into hostile hands. 

0 ONFim5N'l'LY. Nt4Q _ 21 - Annex "B" 

• 

D.C. 2/? cdl'l\!ftilN,.1ALt 
REF ID:A53593 i 

~NFIDENTIAL 

STANDARDS FOR CLASSifICATION OF DOCUMENTS 

l. 'f0P OEJORE'r 

Information and material (matter), the security aspect 

of which is paramount, and the unauthorized disclosure of which 

would cause exceptionally grave damage to our nations shall be 

classified as TOP SECRET. 

The following are some examples of matter which normally 

will be graded TOP SECRET. 

~· War plans and plans or particulars of future major 

or special operations. 

~· Particulars of important dispositions or impending 

moves of our forces or convoys in connection with~ above. 

£• Very important political documents dealing with 

such matters as negotiations for alliances and the like. 

g. Information of the methods used or success obtained 

by our Intelligence Services and Counter-Intelligence 

Services or which would imperil our secret agents. 

~· Certain specialized techniques or methods which may 

be used in future operations, and the identity and composition of certain units, wherever located, which are 

especially intended for employment of such techniques or 

methods. 

!· Critical information of new and important mllllitions of war, including approved scientific and technical 

developments. 

E• Important particulars of communication intelligence, 

communication security,~.and associated devices and material. 

i 

h. Photographs, negatives, diagrams or models of TOP 

SECRET matter. 

GON.F IBM'!' If.:E. N..4:TO 

D.C. 2/7 - 22 - .Annex "C " 

to Appendix 

CC>NFIE>EN'TIAL 

I 
• 

REF ID:A53593 

NATO-ccl.FJoENTIAL 

OONPIDEJNjUJ?:JlA'fO 

1· Certain compilatioas of data or items which individually may be classified SECRET or lower wnen the aggregate of the information contained warrants the higher 

classification. 

2 • -SESIU!:'r-. 

Information and material (matter), the unauthorized 

disclosure of which would endanger national security, cause 

serious injury to the interests or prestige of our nations, or 

would be of great advantage to a foreign nation shall be classified as SECRET. 

The following are some examples or matter which normally will be graded SECRET: 

A• Particulars or operations in progress. 

R• Plans or particulars of operations, or war plans, 

with necessary enclosures thereto, not included under TOP 

SlOORET. 

S• Instructions regarding the employment or important 

new munitions of war, including scientific and technical 

developments. 

g. Important improvements to existi1lg munitions of war 

until accepted for service use including scientific and 

technical developments. 

~· Information relatiag to new material including 

material or the type described in 2 above. 

!· Information of the type described in 2 above concerning specific quantities of war reserves. 

!• Development projects of the type described in 2 

above. 

ll• In:formation of enemy or potential enemy material 

or other material, procedure, dispositions, and activities, 

the value of which depends upon concealing the fact that 

we possess it. 

COm' l'f)Eiff lili=HA'l'O 

D.C. 2/? - 23 ... Annex ncrr 

to Appendix 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 
• QONPipEUff IAEi:iiA~Q 

REF ID: A53593 • 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 

.!· Reports of operations containing information or 

vital interest to the enemy. 

J.. Vital military information on important defenses. 

~· Adverse reports on general morale affecting major 

operations. 

1· Conununication intelligence information and important communication security devices and material of the 

type described in 2 abov~. 

m• The following military maps and aerial photography: 

(l) In the limits of our countries, those showing 

vulnerable points or vital installations. 

(2) In overseas possessions or foreign territory 

occupied by our forces, tnose showing the layout of 

permanent defense works and naval bases, other vulnerable points or vital installations, and the adjacent 

terrain vital to their defense; and those that serve 

to fix definitely the location of any element which 

discloses functioning characteristics of permanent 

defense works and naval bases. 

(3) Aerial p11otographs and negatives of foreign 

areas when neceesary to protect the source or to 

accord witn conditions imposed by the foreign country 

concerned. 

(4) Maps, relief maps, charts and photomaps prepared from aerial photographs or negatives will be 

graded in accordance with the actual details snown 

thereon, and not necessarily in accordance with the 

classification or tlle photograpns or negatives used. 

Classification of aerial pnotography will be deter.mined 

by the content thereof and not by the classification 

of directives ordering its accomplishment. 

B· Information indicating the strength of our troops, 

air and naval forces, identity or composition of units or 

. quantity of specific items of equipment pertaining thereto 

in active t:1eaters of ope"Jation except that mailing addl•esses 

will include organizational designations. 

Q.ONFmRNlf IAL•HA'fO 

n.c. 2/7 

"' 2lf. .., Anne~ "C "· 

to Appendi: .. 

NATO CONFIDENTIAL 

"' 
• REF ID: A53593 e 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 

GONPIDEIH'i'Iili NA!O 

S• Certain new or specialized techniques or methods 

to be used in future operations, the identity and composi= 

tion of units, wherever located, which are especially intended for employm.Ent ot such techniques or methods. 

R• Photographs, negatives, photostats, diagrams, or 

models of SECRET matter. 

g. Certain compilations of data or items which individually may be classified CONFIDENTIAL or lower when the 

aggregate of the information contained warrants the higher 

classifications. 

3. CONFIDENTIAL 

Inforll'.18.tion and material (matter~ the unauthorized 

disclosure of which would be prejudicial to the interests or 

prestige of our nations, or would cause unwarranted injury to an 

individual, or be of advantage to a foreign nation shall be 

classified CONFIDENTIAL. 

The following are some examples of matter which normally 

will be graded CONFIDENTIAL1 

~· Matters, investigations, and documents of a 

personal and disciplinary nature, the knowledge of which 

it is desirable to safeguard. 

R• Routine operational and battle reports which contain informatioa of value to the enemy but are not vital 

interest to him. 

£, Routine intelligence reports. 

g. Military radio frequency allocations of special 

significance or those which are changed at frequent intervals for security reasons. 

~· Military call sign assignments of special significance which are changed at frequent intervals !or 

security reasons. 

OONPIBEIN'E I:A-i.=NA'l'O 

D,C. 2/7 - 25 - Annex "C" 

to Appendix 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 
• 

REF ID:A53593 

NATO-C~FIDENTIAL 

CQNfIB:sN'f IAf.1-NATO 

!· Information which indicates strength of our troops, 

air and naval forces, ideQtity or composition of units, or 

quantity of specific items of equipment pertaining thereto 

in areas adjacent to active theaters or operations. 

!· Technical documents and manuals, of the type described in 3 above, used for training, maintenance and inspection or important new munitions of war. 

~· General tactical lessons learned as a result of 

operations \thich it is desirable to withhold from any 

foreign nation. 

A• Information relating to the design and development 

of new material of t.1e type described in 3 above. 

J. Communications intelligence information, security 

publications and security devices and material of the type 

described in 3 above. 

~· The following military maps and aerial photography: 

(1) In the continental limits or our countries, 

those showing layout of the permanent defense works and 

naval bases considered important to our defense, and 

those tllat serve to fix definitely the location of' any 

element of such permanent defense works and naval 

bases, except that when the complete map of a defense 

area consists of more ti~an one sheet, only those sheets 

showing defense elements need be classified as 

CONFIDENTIAL. 

(2) In overseas possessions and foreign territory 

occupied by our forces, those not classified as 

SECRET, showing layout of military and naval radio 

stations, air bases, airdromes, air depots, supply 

bases, arsenals, proving grounds, or any area important to defense • 

.QOHF!DEM'?ttL-NA'fO 

D.C. 2/7 - 26 - Annex 110 11 

to Appendix 

NATO CONFIDENTIAL 
.. 

• 

REF ID:A53593 • 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 

COif.F mmft :fAL-lfti'O 

(3) Aerial photographs and negatives of foreign 

areas when necessary to protect the source or to 

accord with conditions imposed by the foreign government concerned. 

(4) Maps, relief maps, charts, and photomaps 

prepared from aerial photographs or negatives will be 

graded in accordance with the actual deta.11.s shown 

thereon, and not necessarily in accordance with the 

classification of tne photographs or negatives used. 

Classification of aerial photography will be determined by the content thereof and not by the classification of directives ordering its accomplishment. 

l· Tecnnical inforni.etion, of the type described in 3 

above, such as of research or processes of manufacture 

w.a.11ch may be a distinct military asset and not a matter of 

general knowledge. 

m. Information and records compiled at the request of - any Department of the National Uilitary Establishment for 

its use in the assurance of adequate provision for the 

mobilization of industrial organizations essential to wartime ,needs. 

B• Information of the type described in 3 above 

relative to specific quantities of war reserves. 

£• Photographs, negatives, photostats, diagrams, or 

models of CONFIDENTIAL matter. 

R• Certain compilations of d.8.ta or items which may 

individually be classified RESTRICTED or be UNCLASSIFIED 

when the aggregate of the information contained warrants 

the hig~er classification. 

11 • RESTRICTED 

Information and material (matter) which requires secur-

.Q.9.tifEBN'f Iili-MA'fO 

D.C. 2/? 

... 

- 2? . Annex 110 11 

to Appendix 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 
REF ID:A53593 • 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 

ity protection, other than that determined to be TOP SECRET, 

SECRET, or CONFIDENTIAL, shall be classified as RESTRICTED. 

The following are some examples of matter which 

normally will be graded RESTRICTED: 

!• Information i~dicating the strength of our troops, 

air and naval forces, identity or composition of units, or 

the total quantity of specific items or equipment pertaining thereto in areas remote from active theaters of 

operations. 

R• Training and technical documents for official use 

only or not intended for release to the public. 

S• Photographs, negatives, photostats, diagrams, or 

models of restricted matter. 

g. Parts of mobilization plans and regulations or tae 

type described in 4 above. 

!· Documents relating to the design and development 

of new material or other material of the type described 

in 4 above. 

!'.&. Procurement plans of type described in 4 above. 

&• Communication security devices and material of the 

type described in subparagraph 4 above. 

h. Certain documents regarding engineering principles - and design details, composition, methods of processing or 

assembling, which are vital to the functioning or use of 

an article of material. 

i• The following military maps and aerial photography: 

(1) In our colllltries, those showing military and 

naval radio stations, air bases, a1rdromes, air depots, 

supply bases, and arsenals, considered important to 

our dei'ense. 

(2) During times of active hotilities, photographs 

and negatives not otherwise classified of territory 

CONr ?DEift lttll•N:A'PO - 28 - Annex "C" 

to Appendix D.C. 2/? 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL 
OONPIBEN'f IAL•NA!e 

REF ID:A53593 ... 

e 

NATO-CONFIDEN i IAL 

under our or enemy control in or ad3acent to active 

theaters of operation, and to territories under our 

control remote from active theaters of operation. 

(3) Maps, relief maps, charts, and photomaps 

prepared from aerial photographs or negatives will 

be graded in accordance with the actual details shown 

thereon, and not necessar1ly in accordance with the 

classification or the photographs or negatives used. 

Classification or aerial photography will be determined 

by the content thereof and not by the classification 

or directive ordering its accomplishment, 

J. Certain compilations or data on items which may 

individually be unclassified when the aggregate ot the 

ini'oraation contained warrants a classification • 

.!· Matters, investigations, and documents or a personal 

and disciplinary nature, the knowledge of which it is desirable to safeguard for administrative reasons. 

g_OJJf'jl)!iH'i'l'Il4 N:M!O 

D.01 12/? - 29 - Annex 11C11 

to Appendix 

_________ l'_~ATO-CONFIDENTIAL 
• 

2:2'.l'!!±~l!~I!i [1);Q 

18 April, 19.i! 

• REF ID:A53593 

NATo-c4'NFtDENTIAL 

!OTE.~X, TBE Sl!:CftETARIES 

to the 

HOLDERS OF D.C. 2/7 

CORRIGENDUM .__.---......__ ......... 

COPY NO. 346 

Holders of D.C. 2/? (The Proposed Revision of the North 

Atlantic Treaty Organizatjon Security Syste~) are requested to 

make the following amendments: 

~· On page ;, Appendix to Qi.closure, add to the last 

line of paragraph 3 s., "and its National Agencies abroad." 

R• en page ;, Appendix to Enclosure, in the third line 

of paragraph 3 ,g, delete "country and its National Agencies 

abroad" and insert n agency. 11 

_g. On page 11, Annex 11B11 to Appendix, in paragraph 3, 

line two, insert the word "NATO" before "Agency." 

g. On page 13, Annex 11B11 to Appendix, in paragraph 8 

delete the word "Ce11tral11 in the last line. 

GQNFIDoN'!'IAb=NAfO COrrig. to D.C. 2/? 

C • H. DONNEI .. LY 

E. B. W. CARDIFF 

P. L. de MONTJAMONT 

NATO-CONFIDENTIAL