Systematic Review for Declassification of National Security Information--Do Benefits Exceed Costs?

A review was undertaken of the systematic declassification review program provided for in Executive Order 12065. Under Executive Order 12065, the National Archives and Records Service (NARS) is required to review all classified records considered to be of permanent value as they become 20 years old to determine if they can be declassified. One exception is foreign government information, which must remain classified until it becomes 30 years old. Additionally, the National Security Council is responsible for providing overall policy direction for agencies to use in implementing the Order, and the Administrator of General Services is responsible for implementing and monitoring the classification program through its Information Security Oversight Office.

In its review, GAO found that NARS, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and State anticipate spending $88 million in salaries and benefits during fiscal years 1981 through 1988 to systematically review information for declassification. Further, GAO found that: (1) there is little chance that all 20-year-old classified records will be reviewed by the required December 1988 date; (2) NARS inaccurately reported the results of its declassification reviews for several years; (3) a review of only those records requested by the public and those expected to be requested would improve responsiveness to public requests and would reduce costs; and (4) the General Services Administration's Inspector General has never reviewed the NARS declassification program.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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