Security clearance of Personnel - Hoofdinhoud
Contents
| Documentdatum | 10-03-2006 |
|---|---|
| Publicatiedatum | 12-08-2009 |
| Kenmerk | 7266/06 |
| Van | Council Security Office |
| Aan | Political and Security Committee |
| Externe link | originele PDF |
| Originele document in PDF |  |
COUNCIL OF PUBLIC Brussels, 10 March 2006
THE EUROPEAN UNION
7266/06
LIMITE
CAB 9
NOTE
From : Council Security Office
To : Political and Security Committee
Subject : Security clearance of Personnel
The Council Decision adopting the Council Security Regulations (2001/264/EC) stipulates that EU information which is classified CONFIDENTIEL UE or above can only be shared with individuals with a need to know and in possession of an appropriate level of clearance. Such clearances are issued on the basis of an agreed standard of confidence about the loyalty, trustworthiness and reliability of all individuals granted access, or whose duties or functions may afford access, to EU classified information (as set out the Guidelines on the Security clearance of Personnel (16012/1/04 REV 1)).
While there is ample documentary evidence that clearance is not in itself a guarantee that an individual cannot become compromised by foreign intelligence agencies or other entities interested in intelligence, personnel security (e.g. the process of granting of clearances) is and remains one of the cornerstones of the 'security-in-depth' concept applied in all Member States.
The Council Security Regulations came into effect on 1 December 2001 - and with the assistance of National Security Authorities - the General Secretariat of the Council has been fully compliant with them for some time.
7266/06 AL/dm 1 Such compliance is essential not only because compromise of classified information - especially sensitive operational information managed by the PSC, CIVCOM and the Military Committee - may have an effect on the interests of the EU, the safety of EU staff in the field or compromise sources, but also in the light of the security agreements and arrangements on exchanging classified information the EU has entered into with Third States and International Organisations.
As part of an inspection programme approved by the Council, the Council Security Office, associating the Commission Security Directorate and assisted by National Security Authorities conduct in depth assessments of the security processes of such Third States and International Organisations. Besides relevant legislation, protective measures and security processes, one of the main topics of review is security clearance management.
The relevant authorities of third States and international organisations with which the EU enters into security agreements or arrangements, can - and will - conduct inspections. They will also look at the process by which the EU guarantees that shared classified information is only accessed by duly cleared individuals with a need to know.
All staff working on PSC/CIVCOM/EUMC matters at your Permanent Representation must have been appropriately cleared in compliance with Council decision no. 2001/264/EC i and doc. 16012/1/04 REV 1, otherwise they cannot be handling EU classified information in accordance with the rules. This is why notification and verification of security clearance status is required for any meeting in the Council where information classified CONFIDENTIEL UE and above (see Annex IV to doc. 15180/05). Delegations should be aware that the General Secretariat will be issuing a comprehensive "Security Guide" in the Council Guide series after Easter, in which detailed guidance on this and all other aspects of Council security will be given in a user-friendly format.
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