Procedures to Control Remanence During Surplussing/Declassification of ADP Assets

Systems that have processed but not stored classified information can be declassified through being subjected to a thorough disk wiping procedure. By utilizing a Government approved program similar to Norton Disk Wipe, the user can totally wipe the hard disk clean of all information previously stored.

For floppies that have actually stored classified information, the same process is acceptable if the disk is to be reused. However, the cleared disk must be protected, and can only be reused to store information at the same level of classification as it previously held. For downgrading hard disks, two downgrade procedures are allowed. After wiping, the user must physically inspect the disk using Norton, and then certify that no data is present, or the alternative is the ISs nonvolatile memory must be degaussed before it can be surplussed. Make sure the disk has first been at least reformatted before degausing.

In Event of a Clearing Failure

In the event classified information is discovered on a reissued hard drive, notify the NRL Security Office and the NRL IS Security Office immediately. In the event sensitive but unclassified information is discovered, notify the NRL IS Security Office. Upon notification, the security office will assign an investigation to determine the source and extent of any potential damages.

Destruction of IS resources

Storage and destruction of classified media is described in OPNAVINST 5510.1F. Regarding destruction, IS storage media, both classified and unclassified, will be destroyed as soon as it is no longer required. Prior to destroying magnetic media, the media should be degaussed. For the case of hard disk drives, the IS Security Office is to be notified when disks (or systems) that have been approved for classified processing are to be replaced.