SPED SFPC (SECURITY
FUNDAMENTALS PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION) VERIFIED EXAM
2024/2025
SF 311 - CORRECT ANSWER-Agency Security Classification Management Program
Data
ISOO 32 CFR Parts 2001 and 2003 - CORRECT ANSWER-Classified National Security
Information Final Rule Provides guidance to all government agencies on classification,
downgrading, declassification, and safeguarding of classified national security
information
DoD Instruction 5200.01 - CORRECT ANSWER-Information Security Program and
Protection of Sensitive Compartmented Information Establishes the basic information
security policies for the DoD and provides a high-level framework for DoD
implementation of national policy on classified national security information Authorizes
the publication of DoDM 5200.01 Vol 1-4, the DoD Information Security Program
DoD 5200-1.H - CORRECT ANSWER-Handbook for Writing Security Classification
Guidance Provides detailed information on how to develop security classification
guidance
3 levels of classification - CORRECT ANSWER-TS - grave damage to national security
S - serious damage to national security
C - damage to national security
Original Classification - CORRECT ANSWER-This is defined as an initial determination
that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against
unauthorized disclosure.
Original Classification Authority - CORRECT ANSWER-Request for OCA contains
mission justification and position title Delegated in writing by the president to the
occupant of the position, not to an individual by name, not able to delegate further
unless "acting" Specifies the highest level of the OCA can classify a piece of information
and their jurisdiction Must go through training prior to exercising their authority and at
least 1x a year A demonstrable and continuing need for such authority at least 2x a year
6 steps to OCA decision process - CORRECT ANSWER-Gov't Info - Determine if the
information is official government information or has it already been classified by
,another OCA Eligibility - determine if the information is eligible for classification (not a
smokescreen)Impact/harm - determine if potential for damage to national security if
release occurs Designation - assign a level of classification Duration - determine
duration of classification Guidance - communicate decision via SCG or properly marked
source document
SCG Format - CORRECT ANSWER-General instructions
Overall efforts
Performance and capabilities
Specifications
Critical elements
Vulnerabilities and weaknesses
Administrative data
Hardware
5 Requirements of Derivative Classification - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Observe and
respect OCAs original classification determination
2. Apply the required markings
3. Only use authorized sources
4. Use caution when paraphrasing
5. Take appropriate steps to resolve any doubts
Authorized Sources - CORRECT ANSWER-SCG, properly marked source documents,
DD254When there is a conflict, the SCG takes precedence
Extracting - CORRECT ANSWER-When information is taken directly from an authorized
classification guidance source and is stated verbatim in a new or different document
Paraphrasing/Restating - CORRECT ANSWER-When information is taken from an
authorized source and is re-worded in a new of different document
Be careful to ensure that the classification has not been changed
Revealed by - CORRECT ANSWER-Applies when derivative classifiers incorporate
classified information from an authorized source into a new document that is not clearly
or explicitly stated in the source document but a reader can deduce the classified
information from the new document by performing some level of additional interpretation
or analysis
Declassification - CORRECT ANSWER-The authorized change in the status of
information from classified to unclassified Instructions are placed on the front of a
document and usually appear as declassify on and the date or declassify on and the
event
Instructions not applied to RD (determined by DOE) or FRD (deterred by DOE and
DoD)
SF-312 - CORRECT ANSWER-Classified Information Non-Disclosure Agreement
, Contractual agreement between the US Gov't and cleared employee that must be
executed as a condition of access
Agreement to never disclose classified information to an unauthorized person
(clearance, NTK, SF-312)
Unauthorized Disclosure could... - CORRECT ANSWER-- Inhibit our national defense
capabilities
- Adversely affect our foreign relations
DoD Component Requirements - CORRECT ANSWER-Agencies add their own
requirements to ensure security measures are effective for their unique missions
Designate a Senior Agency Official to oversee the program
Appoint a Security Manager for education and training
ISCAP (Interagency Security Classifications Appeals Panel) - CORRECT ANSWER-
Established by EO 12958
Receives guidance from EO 13526
Provides public and users of the classification system with a forum for further review of
classification decisions
Classification challenges
Exceptions from Automatic Declassification "File Exemption Series
Mandatory Declassification Review Appeals
Inform Decisions
Incident Reporting - CORRECT ANSWER-Incidents that result in significant
consequence or may become public must be promptly reported to the OUSD(I)
Espionage
Unauthorized disclosure to public media
Involving creation or continuation of a SAP against regulation
Defense operations that could cause harm to national security
Inner Mailing Wrapping - CORRECT ANSWER-Address to official gov't activity or
contractor
Complete return address to your office
Conspicuously marked with the highest level of classified information
Include applicable special markings "RD"
Sealed to minimize possibility of access without leaving evidence of tampering
Handcarrying - CORRECT ANSWER-Must be done by an appropriately cleared gov't or
contractor employee
Written authorization always required
Letter of authorization if traveling on commercial airline
Written statement (DD Form 2501) if another mode of transportation
Material should be double wrapped - briefcase is outer layer if locked
FUNDAMENTALS PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION) VERIFIED EXAM
2024/2025
SF 311 - CORRECT ANSWER-Agency Security Classification Management Program
Data
ISOO 32 CFR Parts 2001 and 2003 - CORRECT ANSWER-Classified National Security
Information Final Rule Provides guidance to all government agencies on classification,
downgrading, declassification, and safeguarding of classified national security
information
DoD Instruction 5200.01 - CORRECT ANSWER-Information Security Program and
Protection of Sensitive Compartmented Information Establishes the basic information
security policies for the DoD and provides a high-level framework for DoD
implementation of national policy on classified national security information Authorizes
the publication of DoDM 5200.01 Vol 1-4, the DoD Information Security Program
DoD 5200-1.H - CORRECT ANSWER-Handbook for Writing Security Classification
Guidance Provides detailed information on how to develop security classification
guidance
3 levels of classification - CORRECT ANSWER-TS - grave damage to national security
S - serious damage to national security
C - damage to national security
Original Classification - CORRECT ANSWER-This is defined as an initial determination
that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against
unauthorized disclosure.
Original Classification Authority - CORRECT ANSWER-Request for OCA contains
mission justification and position title Delegated in writing by the president to the
occupant of the position, not to an individual by name, not able to delegate further
unless "acting" Specifies the highest level of the OCA can classify a piece of information
and their jurisdiction Must go through training prior to exercising their authority and at
least 1x a year A demonstrable and continuing need for such authority at least 2x a year
6 steps to OCA decision process - CORRECT ANSWER-Gov't Info - Determine if the
information is official government information or has it already been classified by
,another OCA Eligibility - determine if the information is eligible for classification (not a
smokescreen)Impact/harm - determine if potential for damage to national security if
release occurs Designation - assign a level of classification Duration - determine
duration of classification Guidance - communicate decision via SCG or properly marked
source document
SCG Format - CORRECT ANSWER-General instructions
Overall efforts
Performance and capabilities
Specifications
Critical elements
Vulnerabilities and weaknesses
Administrative data
Hardware
5 Requirements of Derivative Classification - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Observe and
respect OCAs original classification determination
2. Apply the required markings
3. Only use authorized sources
4. Use caution when paraphrasing
5. Take appropriate steps to resolve any doubts
Authorized Sources - CORRECT ANSWER-SCG, properly marked source documents,
DD254When there is a conflict, the SCG takes precedence
Extracting - CORRECT ANSWER-When information is taken directly from an authorized
classification guidance source and is stated verbatim in a new or different document
Paraphrasing/Restating - CORRECT ANSWER-When information is taken from an
authorized source and is re-worded in a new of different document
Be careful to ensure that the classification has not been changed
Revealed by - CORRECT ANSWER-Applies when derivative classifiers incorporate
classified information from an authorized source into a new document that is not clearly
or explicitly stated in the source document but a reader can deduce the classified
information from the new document by performing some level of additional interpretation
or analysis
Declassification - CORRECT ANSWER-The authorized change in the status of
information from classified to unclassified Instructions are placed on the front of a
document and usually appear as declassify on and the date or declassify on and the
event
Instructions not applied to RD (determined by DOE) or FRD (deterred by DOE and
DoD)
SF-312 - CORRECT ANSWER-Classified Information Non-Disclosure Agreement
, Contractual agreement between the US Gov't and cleared employee that must be
executed as a condition of access
Agreement to never disclose classified information to an unauthorized person
(clearance, NTK, SF-312)
Unauthorized Disclosure could... - CORRECT ANSWER-- Inhibit our national defense
capabilities
- Adversely affect our foreign relations
DoD Component Requirements - CORRECT ANSWER-Agencies add their own
requirements to ensure security measures are effective for their unique missions
Designate a Senior Agency Official to oversee the program
Appoint a Security Manager for education and training
ISCAP (Interagency Security Classifications Appeals Panel) - CORRECT ANSWER-
Established by EO 12958
Receives guidance from EO 13526
Provides public and users of the classification system with a forum for further review of
classification decisions
Classification challenges
Exceptions from Automatic Declassification "File Exemption Series
Mandatory Declassification Review Appeals
Inform Decisions
Incident Reporting - CORRECT ANSWER-Incidents that result in significant
consequence or may become public must be promptly reported to the OUSD(I)
Espionage
Unauthorized disclosure to public media
Involving creation or continuation of a SAP against regulation
Defense operations that could cause harm to national security
Inner Mailing Wrapping - CORRECT ANSWER-Address to official gov't activity or
contractor
Complete return address to your office
Conspicuously marked with the highest level of classified information
Include applicable special markings "RD"
Sealed to minimize possibility of access without leaving evidence of tampering
Handcarrying - CORRECT ANSWER-Must be done by an appropriately cleared gov't or
contractor employee
Written authorization always required
Letter of authorization if traveling on commercial airline
Written statement (DD Form 2501) if another mode of transportation
Material should be double wrapped - briefcase is outer layer if locked
