Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) is classified information requiring special access authorization (SAA). This means only individuals granted SAA for the specific SCI compartment may have access to it.
The marking of SCI is governed by the DoD Instruction 5200.01, “Information Security Program,” and the National Security Agency (NSA) Instruction 10-400, “Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Handling.” These documents guide how to properly mark SCI, including using color-coded cover sheets and markings.
What Guidance is Available for Marking Sensitive Compartmented Information?
The guidance for marking sensitive compartmented information (SCI) is available in two documents:
- DoD Instruction 5200.01, “Information Security Program”
- NSAI 10-400, “Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Handling”
These documents guide how to properly mark SCI, including using color-coded cover sheets and markings.
The following are some of the key points from these documents:
- SCI is a type of classified information that requires special access authorization (SAA). This means only individuals granted SAA for the specific SCI compartment may have access to it.
- The marking of SCI must be unambiguous. The markings must be prominently displayed on all documents and media that contain SCI.
What are sensitive compartmented information guides?
Sensitive compartmented information guides (SCIGs) provide specific guidance on how to mark and handle SCI for a particular compartment. SCIGs are typically developed by the organization that controls the SCI compartment.
Is sensitive compartmented information Top Secret?
No, SCI is not always Top Secret. The classification level for SCI is determined by the information’s nature and the compartment’s sensitivity. SCI can be classified at any level, from Confidential to Top Secret.
Is sensitive compartmented information a classification?
No, SCI is not a classification in itself. It is a designation that indicates that the information is part of a specific compartment and requires special access authorization. The nature of the data determines the actual classification level of SCI.
What are the security classification guides?
Security classification guides (SCGs) guide how to classify information. SCGs typically include the following information:
- The definition of the classification level
- The criteria for categorizing information at that level
- The markings that should be used to denote the classification level
What is the security classification guidance IF101 16?
IF101 16 is a security classification guide that guides how to classify information in the Department of Defense (DoD). This document includes the definitions of the three DoD classification levels (Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential) and the criteria for classifying information at those levels. IF101 16 also includes the markings that should be used to denote the classification level of knowledge.
What are the three security classifications?
The three security classifications are:
- Top Secret
- Secret
- Confidential
What are the security classification guides?
The security classification guides are:
- IF101 16, “Security Classification Guide for DoD Information”
- NSAI 10-400, “Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Handling”
Summary
This document provides an overview of the guidance for marking sensitive compartmented information. This guidance is important to ensure that SCI is properly classified and handled.
FAQs:
What are the common challenges in SCI marking?
Determining the appropriate classification and maintaining consistency across different documents and departments are common challenges in SCI marking.
How can risks in SCI marking be mitigated?
Risks can be eased by espousing a need-to-know approach, furnishing regular training, conducting checkups, and enforcing robust access controls.
What are the components of SCI marking?
SCI marking involves identifying SCI control systems, ‘Classified By’ line, ‘Reason’, and declassification instructions. It also includes portion marking and indicating the overall classification of the document.
