Salastatud

Salastatud is the Estonian term used to designate information, documents, or material that is restricted and intended only for access by authorized persons. It signifies that the information is considered sensitive or potentially harmful if disclosed publicly, and it must be handled according to security rules. The label is common in government, military, judiciary, and public administration, as well as in corporate contexts where security requirements apply.

Etymology and usage notes: Salastama means to keep secret or to seal away, and salastatud is the adjective form describing protected material. In everyday and official language, it appears on paper and digital records, in correspondence, and in file classifications to indicate the need for controlled access, storage, and transmission.

Context and procedures: When information is marked salastatud, its access is limited to individuals with appropriate clearance and a legitimate need to know. Handling requirements typically cover storage (physical or digital), transmission (secure channels), and who may copy or dispose of the material. Declassification or downgrading can occur through a decision by a competent authority, sometimes after a specified period or upon changing conditions of security.

Relation to other terms: Salastatud denotes a higher level of restriction than terms like konfidentsiaalne (confidential) or piiratud (restricted). While these distinctions vary by organization and regulation, salastatud generally indicates the strictest access controls within the Estonian context.

See also: salastatud teave, deklassifitseerimine, riigi infosüsteemid and archival regulations.