“It’s CLASSIFIED” is a familiar phrase that gets dropped frequently in our favorite films and TV shows. But for all that popular use, "classification" is a concept that remains only vaguely defined in the public imagination. Beneath the superficial surface vibes of those two words lies a bewilderingly complex system of rules and requirements, accumulated over … Continue reading Unpacking “It’s Classified” One Secret at a Time
Author: Larry D Clark
Announcing the Publication of ISOO’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report to the President
In early August, the Information Security Oversight Office transmitted our Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report to the President of the United States. I am pleased, today, to formally issue the report to the public, and to share it with our many stakeholders within and beyond the federal government. In considering how to approach this, the first … Continue reading Announcing the Publication of ISOO’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report to the President
REGISTRATION UPDATE for the NISPPAC Public Meeting on May 28, 2025
**The link to register is no longer valid. Please email nisppac@nara.gov to register, even if you are planning on coming in person. The meeting will now be streamed live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/gCjZ9ZWzAkg. If you expect to ask questions, please call in via the Google Meet, which will be provided upon registration. To avoid communication … Continue reading REGISTRATION UPDATE for the NISPPAC Public Meeting on May 28, 2025
Michael D. Thomas Appointed Director of the Information Security Oversight Office
The Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan, with the approval of the President, has appointed Michael D. Thomas as the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), effective November 3, 2024. Mr. Thomas most recently served as the Director for Access Management for White House National Security Council (NSC). Prior to joining … Continue reading Michael D. Thomas Appointed Director of the Information Security Oversight Office
ISOO welcomes Jennifer May as the new Assistant Director.
The Acting Director and staff of the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) welcomes Jennifer May as the Associate Director for the Industrial Security, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Cyber Programs. Jennifer brings over 20 years of security and program management experience, with her most recent position being the Chief, Security Professional Education Development (SPēD) Certification … Continue reading ISOO welcomes Jennifer May as the new Assistant Director.
ISCAP Appeal Release Laos 1961
On July 8th, 2024, the staff of the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) posted a new declassified document on our website. The released documents outline the United States and Thai covert action in Laos in 1961 under the John F. Kennedy administration known as MILLPOND. During this time, Laos was split into different institutions … Continue reading ISCAP Appeal Release Laos 1961
Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies
On December 1, 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris released new Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies, and an implementation memorandum, to recognize and include the indigenous knowledge of tribal nations in research, policy, and decision making across the executive branch. Jointly issued by the White House Council on … Continue reading Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies