Classified Information Protection Directorate

Organise, execute, coordinate and control the activities on the protection of classified information from unauthorized access;
See to the implementation of the measures, ways and means for the protection of classified information in the field of physical, documentary, personnel, cryptographic and industrial security as well security of automated information systems or networks;
Organize and control the fulfilment of the obligations on the protection of classified information contained in international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a Party;
Prepare a draft report to the SCIS Chairperson in accordance with the SCIS powers as stated in Art. 9, p. 13 of the CIPA;
Develop general directions and action plans in cases of threats of damaging the law-protected interests and to propose for approval mandatory instructions in that field;
Prepare analysis of the readiness on classified information protection in cases of threats of damaging the law-protected interests and to propose for approval mandatory instructions in that field;
Execute preventive activity for prevention and decreasing the pernicious consequences that could occur in case of unauthorized access to classified information;
Assist SCIS in conducting of the general guidance of the background vetting activities for the persons that should work with classified information as well as in case of issuing clearances for access to the relevant level of the classified information;
Assist SCIS in the background vetting activities for the individuals or legal entities who apply for contract or fulfil a contract which requires access to a classified information;
Carry out together with the Security services background investigation of the persons proposed for appointment as information security officers;
Carry out together with the Security and Public Order Services background investigation of persons in the cases regulated under Article 45a, Paragraph 3 of CIPA;
Propose for approval certificates confirming before foreign authorities that Bulgarian individuals or legal entities are security cleared;
Carry out together with the Security services background vetting of Bulgarian citizens who apply for occupation of positions or execution of concrete tasks that require work with classified information of other state or international organization;
Assist SCIS in the organization of the process for opening and functioning of the registries in the field of international relations;
Analyse the results of the checks of the Organisational Entities done by the authority responsible for the direct control and if necessary proposes amendments in the common policy on security of classified information;
See to the observation of the procedure for prolongation of the terms for protection of the classified information and proposes to SCIS draft decision as per Article 34, Paragraph 2 of CIPA;
See to the observation of the procedure for destroying information by analysing the proposals of the Organisational Entities and proposes to SCIS draft decision under Article 33, Paragraph 5 of CIPA;
Develop and propose for approval directions of the methodical guidance to the information security officers;
Assist SCIS in the exercise of general control on the activity of the authorities responsible for distribution and transmission of cryptographic keys and materials;
Perform complex security evaluation of national automated systems and networks designated for handling NATO and EU classified information and foreign classified information and Points of Presence of NATO and EU communication and information systems for the Republic of Bulgaria;
Participate in the training on handling classified information;
Participate in drafting Annual report on the overall activity on the status of the protection of the classified information.

The Classified Information Protection Directorate is comprised of 24 employees and is headed by Mrs. Milena Hristova.