Storing valuables, such as money, jewels,
precious metals, or narcotics, in the same
container with classified material risks the security
of that material. Someone could open or steal the
container, resulting in the compromise of the
information contained in it.
For identification purposes in the event of
emergency destruction or evacuation, place a
number or symbol indicating its priority on the
exterior of each security container: However,
conceal the level of classification of the material
stored inside the container.
Store Top Secret material in a safe-type steel
filing container having a built-in, three-position,
dial-type combination lock approved by the
General Services Administration. Alarm systems
or guards who are U.S. citizens protect storage
containers, vaults, or vault-type rooms located in
areas or structures controlled by another country.
The physical barrier of an alarmed area used
for the storage of Top Secret material prevents
the following: (1) secret removal of the material
and (2) observation that would result in the
compromise of the material. The physical barrier
is such that a forcible attack will leave evidence
of an attempted entry into the room or area. The
alarm system immediately notifies the U.S. security
force of an attempted entry.
COMBINATION LOCKS AND KEYS. —The
development of the manipulation-proof (MP) and
the manipulation-resistive (MR) locks in 1950
advanced security awareness to the point that
secure locking devices now exist. A security
filing cabinet, vault, or strong room is now
fitted with a lock that resists opening of the
container by unauthorized persons. This lock is
a vast improvement over the antiquated methods
of safeguarding before the MP and MR locks were
developed.
The MP and MR locks have more advanced
features designed to protect against expert
manipulation than those found in conventional
locks. These locks have at least 100 graduations
on the dial, which provide a choice of at least 1
million combinations. A three-tumbler lock
prevents them from being unlocked when more
than one full dial graduation occurs on either side
of the proper number for each tumbler wheel.
Federal specifications governing the manu-
facture of security filing cabinets and security
vault doors require that units be equipped with
a top-reading changeable combination lock. The
top-reading design replaced the front-reading
design to provide increased protection against
someone getting the combination by secretly
watching it being used.
To help ensure the effectiveness of combina-
tion locks, comply with the following security
requirements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Allow only those persons who are cleared
for the highest level of classified material
stored in the container to change combina-
tions.
Give the combination only to those persons
whose official duties demand access to the
cent airier.
Change combinations when placed in use,
at least annually thereafter, and when any
of the following occurs:
a. An individual knowing the combination
no longer requires access.
b. The combination has been compromised
or the security container has been
discovered unlocked and unattended.
c. The container (with built-in lock) or the
padlock is taken out of service. (When
that happens, reset built-in combination
locks to the standard combination
50-25-50.) Reset combination padlocks
to the standard combination 10-20-30.
In selecting combination numbers, do not
use multiples of 5; simple ascending or
descending arithmetical series; and per-
sonal data, such as birth dates and social
security numbers.
Do not use the same combination for more
than one container in any one area.
In setting a combination, use numbers that
are widely separated by dividing the dial
into three parts and using a number from
each third as one of the combination
numbers.
To prevent a lockout, have two different
people try a new combination before closing
the container or vault door.
Assign a security classification to the
combination equal to the highest category
of classified materials authorized to be
stored in the vault or container.
Seal records of combinations in the
envelope provided wit h Standard Form 700
(fig. 9-10), Give the envelope to the security
manager, duty officer, communication
officer, or any other person designated by
the command to keep the records on file.
When key-operated, high-security padlocks
are used, control the keys at the highest level of
classification of the material being protected.
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