System high mode, or simply system high, is a security mode of using an automated information system (AIS) that pertains to an environment that contains restricted data that is classified in a hierarchical scheme, such as Top Secret, Secret and Unclassified.
System high mode is distinguished from other modes (such as multilevel security) by its lack of need for the system to contribute to the protection or separation of unequal security classifications.
In particular, this precludes use of the features of objects (e.g. content or format) produced by or exposed to an AIS operating in system high mode as criteria to securely downgrade those objects.
For example, Unclassified information can exist in a secret system high computer but it must be treated as secret, therefore it can never be shared with unclassified destinations (unless downgraded by reliable human review, which itself is risky because of lack of omniscient humans.)
There is no known technology to securely declassify system high information by automated means because no reliable features of the data can be trusted after having been potentially corrupted by the system high host.