Annex A – Protective markings and document security Classification Marking OFFICIAL SECRET TOP SECRET Classification Caveat SENSITIVE What security clearance level is required to access information? BPSS (Baseline Personal Security Standard). BPSS. NB: BPSS clearance allows for occasional, limited access to SECRET assets. SC (Security Check). NB: SC clearance allows for occasional supervised access to TOP SECRET assets. DV (Developed Vetting). What material does the classification include? Routine correspondence. Basic/routine personal information. Routine departmental management information. Policy advice. Minutes of meetings. Detailed personnel records. Contractual information considered commercially confidential by the provider. Policy development/advice to Ministers. Information about defence or security which could damage capabilities or effectiveness Sensitive and counter terrorism related activities. Joint Intelligence Committee assessments, intelligence summaries. National Security Policy. Highly sensitive intelligence material. Joint Intelligence Committee assessments. Can I email it? Yes, can normally be emailed to non-GSI addresses without further encryption. Yes, but ensure encryption is used if sending to addresses (i.e. beyond .x.gsi, .police.pnn, .nhs or the Criminal Justice Only via appropriately accredited secure systems to known recipients. If in any doubt, ask the review SRO. Only via appropriately accredited secure systems to recipients. If in any doubt, ask the review SRO.
Be aware of sending large amounts of material which may, when aggregated, require encryption. Secure Mail (CJSM) system). When sending on secure networks, best practice is to use password protection of files. Can I fax it? Yes, but make sure the recipient is expecting your fax and check their fax number. Yes, but make sure the recipient is expecting your fax and check their fax number. Only via appropriate secure equipment. Only via appropriate secure equipment. Can I post it? Yes, via 1st or 2nd post. NB: Items posted to Northern Ireland should not have any markings which designate that they come from a government department. Yes, doubled enveloped via Royal Mail Special Delivery, obtaining a signature upon delivery. Only via appropriate departmental distribution service. Only via appropriate departmental distribution service. Can I take papers out of the office or work on them at home if they cannot be worked on remotely? This is to be avoided if possible, consider other alternatives. If you take such material out of the office it must be carried in a container (ideally a lockable one) which does not allow anyone to see the material. This is to be avoided if possible, but if necessary, you must have the prior agreement of your line manager (or the SRO in the context of reviews). If you take such material out of the office it must be carried in a container (ideally a lockable one) which does not allow anyone to see the material. This is to be avoided, but is possible in rare and exceptional circumstances no other option exists. You must obtain the prior agreement of your Head of Management Unit. This is to be avoided, but is possible in rare and exceptional circumstances where no other option exists. You must have the prior agreement of your Head of Management Unit and Departmental Security Officer and a risk assessment must also be undertaken beforehand.