as sensitive,  in  conjunction  with  authorized classification designations. Designate  a  Top  Secret  classification  to information that could cause grave damage to our national security upon unauthorized disclosure, such as the following: Armed hostilities against the United States or its allies Disruption of foreign relations vitally affecting the national security Compromise  of  vital  national  defense plans  or  complex  cryptologic  and  com- munications intelligence systems Disclosure of sensitive intelligence opera- tions Disclosure  of  scientific  or  technological developments vital to national security Designate a Secret classification to informa- tion  that  could  cause  serious  damage  to  the national security upon unauthorized disclosure, such as the following: Disruption of foreign relations significantly affecting national security Significant impairment of a program or policy directly related to the national security Disclosure of significant military plans or intelligence operations Compromise  of  significant  scientific  or technological developments relating to national security Designate a Confidential classification to information that could cause damage to our national security upon unauthorized disclosure, such as the following: Information indicating strength of ground, air, and naval forces Performance  characteristics,  test  data, design,  and  production  data  on  U.S. weapons systems and munitions DECLASSIFICATION  AND DOWNGRADING  AUTHORITY The  following  officials  are  authorized  to declassify and downgrade information: 1. 2. 3. The Secretary of the Navy with respect to all information over which the Department of the Navy exercises final classification authority The  original  classification  authority  as designated by the Secretary of the Navy, a successor to the original classification authority, or a supervisor of either The Deputies or Chiefs of Staff to those original  classification  authorities  for classified information in their functional areas Only the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the Navy may decide that specific information no  longer  requires  the  protection  originally assigned. That is, they may change the original classification, which will change the classification guidance for that information. Do not confuse the authority to downgrade or declassify with the authority for administrative responsibility. The person who has administrative responsibility may downgrade or declassify information as directed by a classification guide, the continued protection guidelines, or the declassification instructions on a document. Systematic Declassification Review As classified (permanently valuable) records in the National Archives become 30 years old, the Archivist of the United States reviews them for declassification. The CNO, OP-09N, specifies which 30-year old Department of the Navy information requires continued protection. In coordination with Navy and Marine Corps commands, OP-09N has developed continued protection guidelines for the Archivist. The Director, Naval Historical Center, designates experienced personnel to guide and help the Archivist. These personnel guide and assist National Archives employees in identifying and separating  documents  that  require  continued classification. The Director, Naval Historical Center, refers doubtful cases to the command having original classification jurisdiction. The CNO, OP-09N, reviews the continued protection guidelines at least every 5 years. This review identifies additional information becoming 9-15