Information protection
The ESA Security Office is responsible for information protection at ESA.
This covers the protection of classified and unclassified documents and material in all formats, paper and electronic, as well as the preparation, distribution, transmission, storage, archiving and destruction of all information material.
The ‘Need-To-Know’ Principle
All access to information of a sensitive nature, whether classified or unclassified, is based on the ‘need-to-know’ principle. This defines whether a person requires such information in order to carry out his or her duties or mission. The ‘need-to-know’ is determined by job position and/or by a specific work context, or by a management decision. No person is entitled solely by virtue of rank, appointment or security clearance to have access to such information.