Classified information protection officer in Poland – requirements and duties
Published: · Maksymilian Kruszewski
In Poland, every organisation that processes classified information – including a company performing classified contracts – relies on a classified information protection officer (pełnomocnik do spraw ochrony informacji niejawnych). We explain who can be appointed, how to obtain the required clearance and training, and when a company needs an officer.
Requirements
The officer reports directly to the head of the organisation (for a company – the head of the company, usually the management board) and must have Polish citizenship, higher education, an appropriate personnel security clearance issued by ABW or SKW after an extended vetting procedure, and a training certificate issued by ABW or SKW. Deputies must meet the same requirements.
Duties
- ensuring protection of classified information, including physical security measures and ICT systems,
- security risk management and risk assessment,
- inspections, including a review of records, materials and document flow at least every three years,
- preparing the security plan, training staff and conducting basic vetting procedures,
- keeping the list of cleared persons and reporting to ABW or SKW.
When a company needs an officer
An officer is required for a level I or II industrial security certificate. For level III it is not required, unless the certificate covers NATO, EU or other international classification levels. For RESTRICTED contracts an officer is needed only if the information is processed on the company's own premises. A sole trader performing a contract personally needs only his own personnel security clearance and ABW/SKW training certificate.
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The first conversation is used to define the scope of the matter and the fee.