Methodology of research on the classified information security in the personal aspect

Security of classified information should be considered in two general cases: one of them being personal case, and the second being usage of physical protection, for instance, IT, cryptography and electromagnetic protection. This chap-ter presents research methodology and results of empirical research on 353 persons statutorily authorized and obliged to create a system for the protection of classified information processed in a given institution: managers of organisational entities and security officers. The introduction covers the explanation for population choice and the determination of the minimum size of the representative sample possible to generalize the results on the whole population. The research instrument used in this study was anonymous poll, and that transparent construction led to receiving highly complete answers. Control questions were used to confirm each respondent’s holding of necessary attributes to participate in this research. The study included Police, border guard, and Polish army, including soldiers of Military Police. Analysis of research results of 353 people allowed formulation of aposterior conclusions in terms of perception and awareness level of threats to protected secrets, reasons for disclosure of entrusted classified information or unlawful usage of them, cooperation with civil and military counterintelligence, as well as knowledge and understanding of key legal provisions. Supplementing empirical research with necessary dogmatic and legal study allowed formulating findings on the matter of employing people for managerial positions in government administration, the rules of ethics of an official, and conducting training in the field of state security, including the protection of public-law secrets.