Originally Posted by Superguy
Well said.
While I don't think having a clearance should exempt one from screening on the grounds you say, you see why it makes us laugh when SSI is thrown in our face and we're told that we have no clue about security. I still maintain that SSI is nothing more than glorified FOUO and below confidential.
And as you know from my previous posts, given the type of information I've had access to, SSI makes me giggle. But, as an employee, I play the game.
Originally Posted by Superguy
Just curious, what's the procedure for inspecting bags containing classified information? I know they're not allowed to go thru the x-ray, and the courier sure as hell isn't going to give you the keys to the bag. And considering that it's never supposed to leave the person's hand, I'm curious as to how this works.
I've never had to do a courier mission, but who knows what might come up at work if some things go my way.
Super
There is a method that exempts packages containing classified information from x-ray inspection AND allows the courier to maintain control of the item at all times. I can't go into the details online; however, it's a rather simple procedure that, believe it or not, makes good common sense and satisfies the concerns of every courier we've ever had to process.
But here's the irony: x-raying a bag that contains classified information doesn't compromise the information at all. Whether that classified information is on software, hardware, paper or any other medium, we cannot read the contents of that information. All we "see" is the medium itself. In other words, we will see a series of orange rectangles that shape a document, for example, but won't be able to read the contents. In fact, the only items we can read are metallic letters or highly contrasted items such as military uniform name plates...and that's if the item happens to be at a flat angle.
I don't attempt to explain this anymore. There is a procedure that allows classified couriers to exempt only the classified item and its container (e.g. envelope, hard drive case, etc.) but not the bag unless it's something like a locked briefcase handcuffed to the courier (don't know if we do that anymore...thought that went out with the end of the Cold War, but it's been a few years since I was in the Army). Couriers insist that their items not be x-ray inspected and we comply even though it's a silly fear.
The only items along these lines I see that shouldn't be x-rayed are those that can be damaged by x-ray radiation. And this applies to technologies sensitive to light, medical or scientific specimens, homophobic medication...er, I mean, homeopathic medicine etc. And we have procedures that allow us to accomodate these concerns.