The system is organised by the Cabinet Office and is implemented throughout central and local government and critical national infrastructure.
It is quite possible, and not uncommon, for data within an OFFICIAL classification to have serious impacts including serious injury in the event of unauthorised disclosure.
[4]: Annex One The keyword was placed in all capital letters in the centre of the top and bottom of each page of a classified document and described the foreseeable consequence of an unauthorised release of the data (a ‘breach of confidentiality’).
In descending order of secrecy, these are: Documents classified under the Protective Marking Scheme still exist and need correct handling.
Access to protectively marked material is defined according to a vetting level which the individual has achieved.
Finally, the process assures the department that the individual will not be subject to pressure or improper influence through past behaviour or personal circumstances.
[5] Protectively marked material must be accounted for in a manner appropriate to its classification level and disposal must be in accordance with the SPF.