Handling Classified Information

Question 1

What does “NSI” stand for?

Answer 1

“NSI” stands for national security information.

Question 2

Where are markings required on a document?

Answer 2

Markings are required on the first page (or slide) as a classification authority block [CAB], on each content block of information (such as paragraphs, bullets, photos, etc.) called a portion marking, and there must also be markings on the top and bottom of each page (or slide) called a banner line marking.

Question 3

What does the classification authority block highlight?

Answer 3

The classification authority block will list who it is classified by, where it was derived from, and when it will declassify on.

Question 4

Portion markings must follow which standards of order and rules?

Answer 4

All portion markings must follow the order and rules prescribed in the “CAPCO Register.”

Note: this includes having all capital text letters, enclosed in parenthesis, preceding a text portion, and all classification and controls listed in proper order.

Question 5

What is a key element to consider with sub-portions of a bullet point?

Answer 5

If sub-portions are the same classification as the main portion, the sub-portions do not require markings; however, if the sub-portions are not all the same classification as the main portion, the sub-portions require marking.

Question 6

What is the purpose of banner line markings?

Answer 6

Banner line markings provide the overall classification and control of the individual page (or slide) or whole document (or presentation).

Note: just like portion markings, banner line markings must also follow the order and rules prescribed in the “CAPCO Register.”

Question 7

What are the nine (9) categories of classification?

Answer 7

1. US Classification
2. Non-US Protective
3. Joint Classification
4. Sensitive Compartmented Information
5. Special Access Program
6. Atomic Energy Act
7. Foreign Government Information
8. Dissemination Control
9. Non-Intelligence Community Dissemination Control

Question 8

How would one determine how to classify US Classification information?

Answer 8

One would determine how to classify US Classification material based upon the classification guide or other properly classified document that they are deriving classification from.

Question 9

What are the four (4) levels of classification within US Classification and what do they mean?

Answer 9

1. Top Secret - exceptionally grave damage
2. Secret - serious damage
3. Confidential - could cause damage
4. Unclassified - no damage

Note: materials with no classification markings should not automatically be considered unclassified.

Question 10

What is Non-US Classification?

Answer 10

Non-US Classification is classified information consisting entirely of foreign information provided by other countries and international organizations.

Note: Non-US Classification will always begin with double right slashes [//] and must use trigraph country codes (e.g., AUS, CAN, GBR, etc.).

Question 11

What is Joint Classification?

Answer 11

Joint Classification is utilized for information which is jointly owned and / or produced by more than one country and / or international organization.

Question 12

What is Sensitive Compartmented Information?

Answer 12

Sensitive Compartment Information, also referred to as “SCI,” contains information relating to HUMINT Control System [HCS], Special Intelligence [SI], GAMM [G], and Talent Keyhole [TK].

Note: multiple “SCI” entries are separated by a single right slash [/].

Question 13

What is Special Access Program?

Answer 13

Special Access Program markings denote classified information which require extraordinary protection because the intelligence is from a “Special Access” program.

Note: these markings are seen in banner line as “SAR-[program identifier].

Question 14

What is Atomic Energy Act?

Answer 14

Atomic Energy Act markings are used in US products to denote the presence of classified restricted data, formerly restricted data (both relating to atomic weapons), and / or trans-classified foreign nuclear information [TFNI].

Note: unlike other categories, Atomic Energy Act does not automatically declassified after a time or event.

Question 15

What is Foreign Government Information?

Answer 15

Foreign Government Information markings are used when foreign government information is included in a US-produced document.

Note: if a country needs to be concealed, “FGI” can be used in lieu of the trigraph country code.

Question 16

What is Dissemination Control?

Answer 16

Dissemination Control markings inform the reader who can receive the information.

Note: “REL,” “NOFORN or “NF,” and “EYES” are a few examples used for this marking.

Question 17

What is a key element of the dissemination control of “For Official Use Only.”

Answer 17

“For Official Use Only,” also seen as “FOUO,” should be used for information exempt from release to the public via the nine (9) categories of the Freedom of Information Act.

Note: this marking should be used for personnel and medical files, or other similar types of information, as the disclosure of said information would constitute a clear unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Question 18

What is Non-Intelligence Community Dissemination Control?

Answer 18

Non-Intelligence Community Dissemination Control are markings seen on materials that do not come from [our] intelligence community.

Note: two of the most widely seen markings are “Limited Distribution - LIMDIS” for unclassified geospatial products and “Sensitive But Unclassified - SBU” for unclassified administrative Department of State documents.

Question 19

What is classification by compilation?

Answer 19

Classification by compilation occurs when items of information that are individually unclassified may be classified if the compiled information reveals additional association or relationship.

Note: it is possible to have a classified document where all the portions are unclassified.

Question 20

How is classified information handled in a “closed” storage environment?

Answer 20

In a closed storage environment, the storage of classified information is placed in properly secured GSA-approved security containers.

Note: when not in use, this classified information is locked in a GSA safe.

Question 21

How is classified information handled in a “open” storage environment?

Answer 21

In an open storage environment, the storage of classified information is placed in GSA-approved storage containers while the facility is not occupied by authorized personnel.

Question 22

What counts as a container?

Answer 22

A container is anything that restricts access to and conceals the contents of classified materials, such as: desk drawers, cabinets, secretary furniture, and even a locked room.

Note: a container is not a folder, binder, or desktop.

Question 23

What does “SCAA” stand for?

Answer 23

“SCAA” stands for Secret Controlled Access Area.

Question 24

Within a Secret Controlled Access Area [SCAA], what is permitted to be open storage?

Answer 24

A Secret Controlled Access Area allows for open storage only of classified computer systems and their peripherals.

Note: as daily classified working maps can be left out (with a provided covering material), all other classified material will be stored in a GSA-approved security container or certified secure room.

Question 25

What does “SCIF” stand for?

Answer 25

“SCIF” stands for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility.

Question 26

Within a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility [SCIF], what is permitted to be open storage?

Answer 26

A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility allows for open storage only of networked classified computer systems and National Security Information [NSI] documents.

Note: as daily classified working maps can be left out (with a provided covering material), all writable removable electronic [WRE] media will be stored in two-person integrity containers or rooms.

Question 27

Why is two-person integrity [TPI] mandatory for all writable removable electronic [WRE] media?

Answer 27

As writable removable electronic media is any electronic data storage media that is not currently utilized as an internal component to an information system on a network, two-person integrity is a procedure designed to prohibit individual access in order to detect incorrect and / or unauthorized security procedures with respect to the task being performed.

Question 28

Who can help with two-person integrity [TPI] actions?

Answer 28

Two-person integrity [TPI] custodians are individuals equipped with a security container, inventory, and logbook all in an effort to enable proper storing and maintaining accountability of all writeable removable electronic [WRE] media.

Question 29

What are the three (3) things to consider before printing classified information?

Answer 29

1. What is the purpose for printing this information?
2. Do I need all the pages I am printing?
3. How am I going to store this information?

Note: the information being printed is a finalized document; because of this, it is required to be controlled by a classified material control custodian.

Question 30

What does blue or yellow-colored paper mean?

Answer 30

Blue paper is indicative of sensitive compartmented information [SCI], while yellow paper is indicative of secret information [S].

Note: instead of paper, classification stickers are used for IT systems.

Question 31

What is the purpose of a cover sheet?

Answer 31

A cover sheet alerts the viewer who is about to review the folder, group(s) of documents, or single document of the nature of classification.

Note: when classified information is stored inside a GSA-approved container, a cover sheet is not required.

Question 32

What are the associated classifications according to their respective cover sheet color(s)?

Answer 32

1. Top Secret [TS] - orange
2. Secret [S] - red
3. Confidential [C] - blue
4. Unclassified [U] - green
5. Special Intelligence [SI] - red dashes
6. Talent Keyhole [TK] - black dashes
7. Special Intelligence, Talent Keyhole [SI/TK] - black and red dashes
8. Privacy Act Data Cover Sheet - yellow page, red diamond outline

Question 33

What is a certified courier?

Answer 33

A certified courier is an individual or group whose primary responsibility is to courier sensitive compartmented information [SCI] material worldwide.

Note: Defense Courier Service and the Department of State Diplomatic Couriers are the certified couriers most commonly used.

Question 34

What is a designated courier?

Answer 34

A designated courier is an individual who is temporarily responsibility is to courier classified material.

Note: though temporary, they must be familiar with all rules and regulations governing couriers and transporting information.

Question 35

What are the three (3) responsibility considerations expressed during a designated courier brief?

Answer 35

1. Pre-trip considerations
2. En-route considerations
3. Post-trip considerations

Question 36

What are the three (3) responsibilities within a designated courier’s pre-trip considerations?

Answer 36

1. Ensuring that personal travel documents are complete, current, and valid.
2. Planning the route that will be traversed.
3. Measuring the classified materials to be carried and considering the proper wrapping procedures of said materials.

Note: even with personal travel documents like a courier card, inventory of materials, etc., overnight travel / stays still require the courier to use a permanent cleared US facility to store classified materials as opposed to a hotel safe (for example).

Question 37

A designated courier of secret information needs to confirm what three (3) considerations?

Answer 37

1. Notify the departing security office and leave a letter of transmittal [inventory sheet].
2. Make arrangements with the destination security office before arrival.
3. Package the classified materials in a manor that prevents undetected, deliberate compromise.

Note: when in an outside area [off base], one must double-wrap the classified materials.

Question 38

When will an individual need a courier card versus a courier letter?

Answer 38

Traditionally, a courier letter is acceptable for all secret [S] and below classifications or while on commercial aircraft travel; however, for top secret [TS] and sensitive compartmented information [SCI], a courier card is mandatory.

Note: when an individual is considered to be more of a frequent courier, they may receive a courier card.

Question 39

What are the three (3) responsibilities within a designated courier’s en-route considerations?

Answer 39

1. Do not discuss the classified materials in public.
2. Do not deviate from the authorized travel schedule.
3. Do not leave the classified materials unattended or store the them in an unauthorized way.

Note: unauthorized storage strategies include: hotel rooms, hotel safes, private residences, public lockers, unattended vehicles, etc.

Question 40

What are the two (2) responsibilities within a designated courier’s post-trip considerations?

Answer 40

1. If the designated courier is not returning with the classified materials, they are required to produce a letter of transmittal signed by a cognizant security official from the receiving organization.
2. If the designated courier is returning with the classified materials, they are required to return the materials in properly sealed packages where it will be re-inventoried upon arrival.

Note: couriers are not finished with their tasks until the classified materials have been accounted for at their point of origin.

Question 41

What are the six (6) methods of sanitization of national security information [NSI]?

Answer 41

1. Degaussing
2. Incineration
3. Shredding
4. Grinding
5. Embossing
6. Chemical Immersion

Question 42

What are the three (3) mediums of national security information [NSI], and how can they be sanitized?

Answer 42

1. Paper [hard copy storage devices] - can be burned, chopped, crosscut shredded, pulverized, or wet pulped.
2. CDs / DVDs [optical storage devices] - can be grinded, shredded, or disintegrated.
3. Hard disk drives / diskettes [magnetic storage devices] - can be degaussed or incinerated.

Question 43

Who has foreign disclosure authority?

Answer 43

A foreign disclosure officer is an official who has foreign disclosure authority based on specific, written designation as long as the information is originated by that officer’s department or agency.

Question 44

What is a key consideration when, through approved channels, one is revealing classified military information?

Answer 44

A key consideration is that the classified material must remain under positive control of the United States at all times.