ISCAP states in order to foster a well-informed public while simultaneously protecting national security interests, checks and balances are needed over the classification system.
The ISCAP was created under Executive Order 12958, "Classified National Security Information," when it was signed on April 17, 1995 and held its first meeting in May 1996.
The appeal must contain enough information for the Executive Secretary to be able to obtain all pertinent documents about the classification challenge from the affected agency.
Following receipt of the DCI's determination, the Panel, by majority vote, or an agency head represented on the Panel, may petition the President, through the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, to reverse the DCI's determination.
If the Panel has not been notified of the DCI’s determination within 60 days (or if additional time is requested as outlined above, within 90 days) of the date that the DCI has been notified of the Panel’s conclusion, the information shall be declassified, pending resolution of any appeals filed pursuant to section I of Article VIII of these bylaws.
In its consideration of the matters before it, the ISCAP shall perform such additional advisory functions as are consistent with and supportive of the successful implementation of the Order.
As provided in section 5.3(a) of the Order, the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office will serve as Executive Secretary to the ISCAP, and the staff of the Information Security Oversight Office will provide program and administrative support for the ISCAP.
The ISCAP has been established for the sole purpose of advising and assisting the President in the discharge of his constitutional and discretionary authority to protect the national security of the United States (section 5.3(e) of the Order).
The Chair, in coordination with the other members of the ISCAP and the Executive Secretary, shall determine what information and data to include in each Report.
In accordance with the Order, the Executive Secretary shall submit the approved bylaws and their amendments for publication in the Federal Register.