7.20—Classification and declassification authority.
(a)
Top Secret original classification authority may only be exercised by the Secretary of Homeland Security and by officials to whom such authority is delegated in writing by the Secretary. The Chief Security Officer, as the Senior Agency Official, is delegated authority to originally classify information up to and including Top Secret. No official who is delegated Top Secret original classification authority by the Secretary may further delegate such authority.
(b)
The Chief Security Officer may delegate Secret and Confidential original classification authority to other officials determined to have frequent need to exercise such authority. No official who is delegated original classification authority by the Secretary or the Chief Security Officer may further delegate such authority.
(c)
Officials authorized to classify information at a specified level are also authorized to classify information at a lower level. In the absence of an official authorized to exercise classification authority, the person designated to act in lieu of such official may exercise the official's classification authority.