Just  because  you  have  a  clearance  doesn’t automatically  mean  you  have  access  to  classified information. Having a clearance means you may be granted  access  if  your  duties  require  access  to  the information. This is called the  need to know. Security  clearances  and  access  to  classified information are based on a  need to know. Only Sailors who have a real need to know are cleared for access to the appropriate classified material. The command that has the classified material determines who has the need to know. If you’re cleared to work with classified material, censor what you say by keeping what you know to yourself.  The  following  guidelines  will  help  you safeguard classified material: Never reveal (talk about) classified information just to show your shipmates how smart you are or to act important. If they don’t need to know the information to carry out their duties, don’t tell them. Don’t  talk  about  classified  information  to unauthorized persons, including family, friends, shipmates, and especially strangers. Classified information can be unintentionally revealed to unauthorized persons in many ways. Interest in your own job is natural and desirable, but  it  must  not  lead  you  to  reveal  classified information to unauthorized persons. Never add to a news story that’s incomplete, no matter how much you may know. If you do, you may make public what the Navy has tried to keep secret. The SECNAV has designated the Department of the Navy Central Adjudication Facility (DON CAF) as the single clearance granting authority for the Department of  the  Navy.  The  DON  CAF  issues  final  security clearances for civilian and military personnel at the request of DON commands and activities once it has determined  that  granting  the  clearance  is  clearly consistent with the interests of national security. Once issued, a security clearance remains valid provided the Sailor continues compliance with personnel security standards  and  has  no  subsequent  break  in  service exceeding 24 months. SECURITY AREAS Classified information is always protected at the level of control appropriate with its assigned security classification  level.  This  policy  encompasses  all classified information, regardless of media. Personnel who work with classified information, work with it only in a secure facility. They use an accredited automated information system (AIS) under conditions  that  prevent  unauthorized  persons  from gaining access to the material. If you have classified material in your possession, you are responsible for protecting that information. Lock classified material in an  appropriate  security  container  or  facility  when you’re not using it or when it’s not under your direct control. If  you  work  with  classified  material,  you  must follow procedures so unauthorized persons do not gain access to the classified information. In a facility that contains  classified  material,  access  is  restricted  and movement is controlled so personnel without a need to know do not have access to classified material.   All personnel  must  comply  with  the   need-to-know policy. If  you  are  using  classified  material,  you  can’t remove it from the designated office or working area except to perform official duties and under conditions providing the protection required by SECNAVINST 5510.36. Don’t discuss classified material with any person that doesn’t have a need to know. STORING CLASSIFIED MATERIAL The  General  Service  Agency  (GSA)  sets  and publishes  minimum  standards,  specifications,  and supply schedules for containers, vault doors, modular vaults, alarm systems, and associated security devices suitable for the storage and destruction of classified information. When  classified  information  isn’t  under  the personal control or observation of a cleared person, it’s guarded or stored in a locked GSA-approved security container or vault, modular vault, or secure room. For 22-4 Student Notes: