Warning Reissued to Not Search for Classified Information in the Public Domain

In 2017, the Defense Security Service, predecessor to the current Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), issued a Notice to Contractors Cleared Under the NISP on Inadvertent Exposure to Classified in the Public Domain which provided guidance prohibiting cleared personnel from specifically searching for, downloading, or reading classified material online. The notification also provided actions required for those who inadvertently come across classified information on the web which includes ceasing viewing immediately once you recognize that the material is classified; report the incident to your Facility Security Officer; clear your browser cache, and follow data spillage procedures.

DCSA also publishes a monthly newsletter called Voice of Industry that provides updates, information, and security education specifically geared to industrial security professionals. At the bottom of each newsletter is this reminder: DO NOT SEARCH FOR CLASSIFIED IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN per the principles of the 2017 DCSA (then DSS) Notice to Contractors Cleared Under the NISP on Inadvertent Exposure to Classified in the Public Domain, NISP contractors are reminded to not search for classified in the public domain.

Even though classified information appears in the public domain, such as in a newspaper or on the Internet, it is still classified until an official declassification decision is made. Cleared personnel are legally bound not to view or share classified information in the public domain and may be subject to sanctions if they seek out such information, acknowledge its accuracy or existence, or disseminate the information in any way.