1. Classified information in Estonia: The role of the archives Priit Pirsko EBNA meeting in Brussels 18–19 November 2010

2. Content the legal basis the duties of the National Archives a couple of concluding remarks

3. Regulations State secrets and classified information of foreign states act (2007) Procedure for Protection of State Secrets and Classified Information of Foreign States (Government of the Republic Regulation 2007)

4. Types of classified information state secret protected information of Estonian origin classified information of foreign states protected information originating from a foreign state

5. Levels and categories of classified information 1. restricted level 2. confidential level 3. secret level 4. top secret level state secrets related to foreign relations state secrets related to national defence state secrets related to the maintenance law and order state secrets related to security authorities state secrets related to infrastructure and protection of information NB! over 100 subcategories

6. Period of classification … depends on the sensitivity of data 10-50 years as a rule exceptions most sensitive personalized information for period of 75 years the term of the classification may be extended for five- year periods, but not more than 75 years in all the declassification happens: after the expiry of the term of classification upon the occurrence of a particular event ahead of time (if it’s reasonable or needed)

7. Classified records as a part of records management all the classified documents are records in the sense of archives act. all the secret records must be registered the supervisors of the National Archives have a right and obligation to support agencies in handling classified information a couple of archivists who have granted rights on personal basis to access the classified information

8. Principles of appraisal and transfer the National Archives doesn’t receive the records of valid classification classified information has to be maintained by agencies “A medium the term of classification of which has expired shall be transferred to the National Archives in accordance with the Archives Act” appraisal decision by the National Archives to transfer declassified information to archives or to permit destruction

9. The Estonian peculiarities all the registry data of public records management is accessible on-line media reflection to appraisal decisions concerning the expired secrets not much public discussion concerning the principles of classification enormous interest towards the events of soviet times short traditions of treating the state secrets quite a transparent public management risks of security leak

10. Thanks!