Classification and Access Markings
Controlled material carries two separate designators. They are not interchangeable and are recorded in different fields.
Classification banner[edit]
Printed at the head and foot of every page of a document.
<TIER>//<CONTROL SYSTEM>//<SAR CODEWORD>//<DISSEMINATION>
Example: TOP SECRET//HCS-P//SAR-GREEN DOVE//NOFORN
Tiers[edit]
TOP SECRET · SECRET · CLASSIFIED · RESTRICTED · CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED · UNCLASSIFIED
Control system[edit]
HCS-P on all Departmental material. Dissemination is NOFORN except where a liaison agreement provides otherwise.
Special Access Required codewords[edit]
Departmental SAR nicknames are drawn without exception from birds.
| Codeword | Tier | Compartment |
|---|---|---|
SAR-WHITE DOVE |
TOP SECRET | Office of the Director-General. Founding instruments and directorate-level record. |
SAR-GREEN DOVE |
TOP SECRET | HICOM. Class-A material. |
SAR-RED DOVE |
SECRET | DISC. |
SAR-WHITE LINNET |
SECRET | DRA. |
SAR-GREY DOVE |
SECRET | OTA. Holy See liaison. |
Routing channel[edit]
Recorded separately from the banner. It states which command the record moves through, not how secret it is.
| Channel | Body |
|---|---|
TS//DIRCOM |
Directorate Command, and everything not otherwise assigned |
TS//DIRCOM-ODG |
Office of the Director-General |
TS//DIRCOM-SC |
Security Council |
TS//STRATCOM |
Strategic Command |
TS//STRATCOM-FSC |
U.S. Federal Special Court |
Dating a document by its banner[edit]
The SAR system was instituted in 1965 with the raising of the Special Projects Staff and survived the 1983 spin-off unchanged.
Material dated before 1965 carries inherited Agency, NATO and Soviet markings: TOP SECRET / NOFORN, MK-NAOMI, EYES ONLY, GATEBLACK, СОВЕРШЕННО СЕКРЕТНО.
Soviet material never carries SAR. GRU Division P files under 043 / BLACK MIRROR.