What must be reported to the OUSD(I) in the event of a serious security incident?

The requirement to report any incident involving espionage or unauthorized disclosure to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (OUSD(I)) is fundamental to maintaining national security and protecting sensitive information. Such incidents pose significant risks to the safety of classified information and could have far-reaching implications for national security. Prompt reporting ensures that appropriate measures can be taken to mitigate potential damage, assess vulnerabilities, and implement corrective actions.

In addition to helping secure classified data, reporting these types of incidents allows for a coordinated response across various government agencies, ensuring that lessons learned are disseminated and preventative strategies are developed. The OUSD(I) plays a critical role in overseeing defense intelligence operations and ensuring compliance with policies that safeguard sensitive information.

Other incidents, such as the loss of classified documents or minor security breaches, while important, do not carry the same weight of immediate national risk and therefore might not have the same immediate reporting urgency. Incidents solely reported by the FBI are also not comprehensive enough to cover all necessary security considerations.