Security of classified information: one standard or many?

Abstract

Purpose

There should be one standard for those with access to classified data. Leadership by example should be required by all managers, supervisors and department heads. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a viewpoint and does not have a methodology.

Findings

Leaders who work in the public sector have an inherent responsibility to earn and maintain the trust of the public for whom they serve. Regardless of whether one is a career government employee, a politician or a political appointee, all who have access to classified material should respect the necessity of safeguards to keep one’s nation’s secrets – secret.

Research limitations/implications

If leaders fail to set the example, then nations risk further breaches of their classified information.

Practical implications

This viewpoint applies to anyone who works in an environment dealing with classified material.

Social implications

This viewpoint serves to educate the public on maintaining a single standard for those who handle classified material.

Originality/value

The author has yet to see much covered in peer-reviewed publications on this topic and believe that the subject is particularly relevant at this time.

Citation

Weaver, J.M. (2017), "Security of classified information: one standard or many?", International Journal of Public Leadership, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 9-12. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPL-07-2016-0028