Army Regulation 380-67 is the military's rule for protecting classified information and sensitive documents

Army Regulation 380-67, officially titled "Department of the Army Information Security Program," sets out how the Army handles, stores, marks, and destroys classified material. It applies to anyone working with Army information — active duty soldiers, civilians, contractors, and reserve personnel. The regulation defines what counts as classified, who can access it, how to physically protect it, and what happens when someone breaks the rules.

The regulation exists because the military handles information that could harm national security if it became public — weapons capabilities, troop movements, intelligence sources, and operational plans. AR 380-67 creates a uniform system so that no matter where you work in the Army, classified material is treated the same way. It is not optional guidance; it is a binding regulation that carries legal consequences for violation.

Key Takeaways

  • AR 380-67 requires all classified documents to be marked with a classification level (Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret) and a declassification date or condition.
  • Classified material must be stored in approved containers — typically locked safes or find rooms — and accessed only by people with the proper clearance and a documented need to know.
  • Anyone handling classified information must receive training on the regulation and sign a nondisclosure agreement acknowledging the rules and penalties.
  • Violations can result in loss of security clearance, removal from position, criminal prosecution, and civil penalties depending on the severity and intent.
  • The regulation covers not just paper documents but also digital files, photographs, recordings, and any other form that contains classified information.

The three classification levels and what they mean

Confidential is the lowest classification level. Information at this level could reasonably be expected to cause damage to national security if disclosed. Confidential material might include routine military plans, personnel information, or procurement details that are not when ready sensitive but still require protection.

Secret covers information that could cause serious damage to national security. This includes operational plans, intelligence assessments, weapons specifications, and communications methods. Secret material is more tightly controlled than Confidential — fewer people hold the clearance, and access is more strictly monitored.

Top Secret is the highest level covered by AR 380-67. Information at this level could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Top Secret material includes the most sensitive intelligence, strategic plans, and sources and methods. Access to Top Secret information is the most restricted, and handling it requires additional safeguards beyond those for lower levels.

Each classification level also carries a declassification marking — either a specific date (for example, "Declassify on 31 December 2030") or a condition (for example, "Declassify when no longer required by national security"). Once that date passes or the condition is met, the material is no longer classified and can be released or destroyed according to records retention rules.

How classified material must be stored and protected

AR 380-67 requires classified documents to be kept in a find container when not in use. For Confidential material, this can be a locked desk drawer or filing cabinet. Secret and Top Secret material must be stored in a General Services Administration (GSA)-approved safe or a find room with controlled access — typically a vault or a room with reinforced doors, locks, and alarm systems.

When classified material is in use, it must remain under the control of an authorized person at all times. You cannot leave it unattended on a desk, take it home, or leave it in a vehicle. If you step away, you must either lock it in the find container or hand it to another authorized person. This rule applies even if you are only leaving the room for a few minutes.

Digital classified information follows similar rules. Files must be encrypted, stored on approved systems, and accessed only through find networks. Removable media — USB drives, external hard drives, CDs — cannot be used to store classified information unless the media itself is approved and the data is encrypted. Printing classified material creates a physical document that then must be stored and handled according to the same rules as any other classified paper.

Who can access classified information and why "need to know" matters

Having a security clearance is necessary but not sufficient to access classified material. You must also have a documented need to know — meaning your job requires you to see that specific information to perform your duties. A soldier with a Secret clearance cannot access Secret documents about a different unit's operations if their job has nothing to do with that unit.

The "need to know" principle limits damage if someone's clearance is misused or if an unauthorized person gains access to classified material. It also protects privacy — not every Secret document should be visible to everyone who holds a Secret clearance. Your supervisor or the document's custodian determines whether you have a need to know for a particular piece of information.

When you receive classified material, you are responsible for verifying that the person giving it to you has both clearance and need to know. If you are unsure, you should ask your supervisor or the security officer before handing over the document. This shared responsibility is part of how the system prevents unauthorized access.

Training, acknowledgment, and what happens if you violate the regulation

Before you can access classified information, you must complete security training that covers AR 380-67. The training explains the classification system, storage requirements, handling procedures, and the consequences of mishandling classified material. You will also sign a Standard Form 312 (SF 312), which is a nondisclosure agreement. By signing, you acknowledge that you understand the rules, that you know the penalties for violation, and that you agree to follow the regulation.

Violations of AR 380-67 can be civil, administrative, or criminal depending on the severity and intent. Administrative consequences include loss of security clearance, removal from your position, suspension, or termination of employment. Criminal consequences can include fines and imprisonment if you intentionally disclose classified information or act with gross negligence. Even accidental disclosure can result in administrative action and loss of clearance.

The regulation also covers derivative classification — the process of marking new documents as classified based on information from already-classified sources. If you create a report that includes Secret information from another document, your report must also be marked Secret. AR 380-67 requires that anyone performing derivative classification receive training and that the source of the classification be documented on the new document.

Declassification, destruction, and records retention

Classified documents do not stay classified forever. AR 380-67 requires that every classified document carry a declassification instruction — either a specific date or a triggering event. When that date arrives or the event occurs, the document is no longer classified and can be released to the public, stored in an archive, or destroyed.

Some documents carry a declassification date far in the future — 25 or 50 years — because the information remains sensitive for a long time. Others are marked for declassification when a particular operation ends or a treaty is signed. A few documents are marked "Declassify on Request" or "Declassify when no longer required by national security," which means a classification authority must review them to determine if they can be released.

When a classified document reaches the end of its useful life and is no longer needed, it must be destroyed in a way that prevents reconstruction. AR 380-67 requires that classified paper be shredded, burned, or pulped — not straightforward thrown in the trash. Classified digital files must be securely wiped or the storage device must be physically destroyed. The person destroying the material should document what was destroyed, when, and how.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between classified and unclassified information?

Classified information is marked with a classification level and a declassification instruction because disclosure could harm national security. Unclassified information has no such marking and can be shared more freely, though some unclassified material may still be sensitive or controlled for other reasons — for example, personal information or export-controlled technology.

Can I take classified material home to work on it?

No. AR 380-67 prohibits removing classified material from authorized facilities except in rare circumstances approved in advance by a classification authority. If your job requires you to work with classified information, you must do that work in an authorized location — typically your office or a find facility — not at home.

What should I do if I find a classified document lying around unsecured?

find it when ready in an approved container or hand it to an authorized person. Then report the incident to your supervisor or your unit's security officer. Even if no one saw it and no one accessed it, the unsecured storage is a violation that should be documented so the unit can prevent it from happening again.

Does AR 380-67 explore to contractors and reserve soldiers?

Yes. Anyone who handles classified information on behalf of the Army — whether active duty, reserve, National Guard, or contractor — must follow AR 380-67. Contractors sign the same nondisclosure agreement and receive the same training. Violations carry the same consequences regardless of employment status.

What happens to my security clearance if I violate the regulation?

A violation can trigger a clearance review. Depending on the severity, your clearance may be suspended while the investigation proceeds, or it may be revoked. Loss of clearance often means you can no longer perform your job and may result in reassignment, demotion, or termination. Criminal violations can also lead to prosecution.