SECURITY CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE STUDY
GUIDE
Purpose of developing an SCG - Answers - For an OCA to communicate their
determination and decisions that information must be classified.
Ensuring that all users of the information treat it consistently and protect it properly.
Applying the same level of protection, for the same information, and for the same
duration.
Promote uniform derivative classification and consistent application of classification
decisions to all users of the relevant information
Ensures that classified information receives the required level of protection when
making derivative classification decisions
Security Classification Guidance - Answers - Any instruction or source that sets out the
classification of a system, plan, program, mission, or project
Initially issued by Original Classification Authorities (OCAs) to document and
disseminate classification decisions under their jurisdiction
Foundation of national policy for classified information - Answers - Executive Order
13526
Prescribes a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national
security information, including information that relates to defense against transnational
terrorism.
Directs the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) under the direction of the
National Archives, to develop implementing guidance
Authorized methods to communicate classification decisions - Answers - 1. Security
Classification Guide
2. Properly marked source document
Derivative classifier - Answers - Any cleared DOD and authorized contractor personnel
who generates material from sources which are already classified. Carry forward the
SCG
OCA - Answers - Original Classification Authority
, Senior government official who is granted the authority to make an initial determination
that information requires protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interest of
national security. Issues the SCG
Properly Marked Source Document - Answers - Either an originally classified documents
or a derivatively classified document developed from an original source
Issued when an SCG is not appropriate and to disseminate new or changed information
quickly pending a revision to a SCG or when there is limited scope of applicability
Provides guidance in some form including, but no limited to, a memorandum, plan,
message document, letter, or an order.
When the government grants authority to originally classify information - Answers -
When there is a "demonstrable and continuing need" for such authority. There must be
a justifiable requirement to perform original classification and that need must be
expected to last over time
DOD positions with original classification authority - Answers - 1. Secretary of Defense
2. Secretaries of the Military Departments
3. Officials specifically delegated original classification authority in writing
Early considerations in the classification determination process - Answers - 1. Is the pre-
existing security classification guidance?
2. What is the state-of-the-art of the information or item?
3. Will classification result in a net national advantage?
DTIC - Answers - Defense Technical Information Center
Online accessible database that maintains many SCGs
Classification for scientific and technical fields - Answers - Must take into account the
state-of-the-art status of the information under consideration. As in what has already
been accomplished, what is being attempted by the effort under consideration, and by
whom?
Classifying this kind of information will prevent enemies from developing
countermeasures to combat it. In addition, information can be added to existing ideas
and concepts that will make them state-of-the-art
In order to assess state-of-the-art, it is critical to consult with scientific and technical
information experts, as well as intelligence specialists
Considerations on whether it is worthwhile and feasible to protect information (state-of-
the-art) - Answers - 1. If the information is not published, is it known in the U.S?
2. Is it known in friendly and unfriendly countries?
GUIDE
Purpose of developing an SCG - Answers - For an OCA to communicate their
determination and decisions that information must be classified.
Ensuring that all users of the information treat it consistently and protect it properly.
Applying the same level of protection, for the same information, and for the same
duration.
Promote uniform derivative classification and consistent application of classification
decisions to all users of the relevant information
Ensures that classified information receives the required level of protection when
making derivative classification decisions
Security Classification Guidance - Answers - Any instruction or source that sets out the
classification of a system, plan, program, mission, or project
Initially issued by Original Classification Authorities (OCAs) to document and
disseminate classification decisions under their jurisdiction
Foundation of national policy for classified information - Answers - Executive Order
13526
Prescribes a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national
security information, including information that relates to defense against transnational
terrorism.
Directs the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) under the direction of the
National Archives, to develop implementing guidance
Authorized methods to communicate classification decisions - Answers - 1. Security
Classification Guide
2. Properly marked source document
Derivative classifier - Answers - Any cleared DOD and authorized contractor personnel
who generates material from sources which are already classified. Carry forward the
SCG
OCA - Answers - Original Classification Authority
, Senior government official who is granted the authority to make an initial determination
that information requires protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interest of
national security. Issues the SCG
Properly Marked Source Document - Answers - Either an originally classified documents
or a derivatively classified document developed from an original source
Issued when an SCG is not appropriate and to disseminate new or changed information
quickly pending a revision to a SCG or when there is limited scope of applicability
Provides guidance in some form including, but no limited to, a memorandum, plan,
message document, letter, or an order.
When the government grants authority to originally classify information - Answers -
When there is a "demonstrable and continuing need" for such authority. There must be
a justifiable requirement to perform original classification and that need must be
expected to last over time
DOD positions with original classification authority - Answers - 1. Secretary of Defense
2. Secretaries of the Military Departments
3. Officials specifically delegated original classification authority in writing
Early considerations in the classification determination process - Answers - 1. Is the pre-
existing security classification guidance?
2. What is the state-of-the-art of the information or item?
3. Will classification result in a net national advantage?
DTIC - Answers - Defense Technical Information Center
Online accessible database that maintains many SCGs
Classification for scientific and technical fields - Answers - Must take into account the
state-of-the-art status of the information under consideration. As in what has already
been accomplished, what is being attempted by the effort under consideration, and by
whom?
Classifying this kind of information will prevent enemies from developing
countermeasures to combat it. In addition, information can be added to existing ideas
and concepts that will make them state-of-the-art
In order to assess state-of-the-art, it is critical to consult with scientific and technical
information experts, as well as intelligence specialists
Considerations on whether it is worthwhile and feasible to protect information (state-of-
the-art) - Answers - 1. If the information is not published, is it known in the U.S?
2. Is it known in friendly and unfriendly countries?
