Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
would be to stamp a document as “ROUTINE” with black ink and
“SECRET” or “RESTRICTED” with red ink. Colors also may be used to
separate physical data storage items, such as floppy disks. For example,
sensitive information goes on a red floppy disk, and routine items go
on disks of another color. Red disks will, of course, be subject to specific
handling requirements that will be discussed below.
HANDLING/STORAGE/DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
FOR EACH CLASSIFICATION
We have already briefly touched on this subject. Each classification level
requires its own specific handling instructions. Obviously, items given a
higher classification require greater care and handling. Special care must
be given to the manner in which a classified document is destroyed. The
most sensitive items must be completely destroyed beyond any attempt at
restoration. Remember, trash is often a great source of intelligence.
Many criminals are in jail today because of incriminating items they dis-
carded in the trash. Similarly, proprietary information may be compro-
mised if it is simply tossed out with the garbage. Any document that could
hurt your business or give a competitor or firm contemplating a takeover
an advantage needs to be destroyed. The only acceptable methods to use
are shredding and burning. In each case, measures must be taken to ensure
that destruction is complete. If a shredder is used, it needs to be a multi-
layer cross-cut shredder that turns the document into an almost powdered
state. This is the level used by the government in destroying highly clas-
sified documents, as it is virtually impossible to put what comes out of
the shredder back into the original document or a portion thereof. Make
sure your shredder meets this level of function. Inexpensive, single-row
shredding machines create very narrow and very fine strips of paper.
While it is difficult to reassemble such strips, it is possible. A veteran
detective of our acquaintance was an expert in such document re-creation
and was able to obtain much useful and incriminating evidence that the
target of many investigations thought had been permanently destroyed.
If burning is used, you must be certain that combustion is complete, that
no scraps are left, and that none has been blown out the smokestack by
the rising current of hot air in the furnace.
