Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5210.50
October 27, 2014
USD(I)
SUBJECT: Management of Serious Security Incidents Involving Classified Information
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This directive:
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 5210.50 (Reference (a)) to update established policy and
assign responsibilities for the prevention and management of serious security incidents involving
information classified in accordance with Executive Order 13526 or the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended (referred to in this directive as “serious security incidents”), and congressional
notification in accordance with section 2723 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.)
(References (b), (c), and (d)).
b. Designates the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (USD(I)), as the senior
security official, to manage and provide oversight of serious security incident procedures, and
requires the use of a DoD-wide system for reporting serious security incidents in accordance
with DoDD 5143.01 and Secretary of Defense Memorandum (References (e) and (f)).
c. Incorporates and cancels USD(I) Memorandum (Reference (g)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This directive:
a. Applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense (IG DoD), the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this directive as the “DoD
Components”).
b. Will be made applicable to DoD contractors through appropriate contract clauses.
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Prevention of serious security incidents is a responsibility shared by all DoD personnel.
