Filing Procedures for Highly Sensitive Documents

Recent disclosures of widespread cybersecurity breaches of both private sector and government computer systems have prompted the federal courts to add new security procedures to protect highly sensitive documents (“HSDs”) that must, for their protection, be stored outside the Court's electronic filing (CM/ECF) system.  

Definition:  A Highly Sensitive Document (HSD) is a document or other material that contains sensitive, but unclassified, information that warrants exceptional handling and storage procedures to prevent significant consequences that could result if such information were obtained or disclosed in an unauthorized manner.  Although frequently related to law enforcement materials, especially sensitive information in a civil case could also qualify for HSD treatment. 

In order to provide appropriate safeguards for HSDs, they must be filed in paper and not under seal through the Court’s electronic case filing system (CM/ECF).  For HSD filing instructions, or if you believe you previously filed an HSD document with the Court, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (410) 962-2688 or (301) 344-8018 for further instructions.