Classification Concepts

Question 1

The three levels of classified information are designated by what E.O?

A) SF-312
B) E.O 13526
C) DoDI 5200.01
D) DoDM 5200.01

Answer 1

B) E.O. 13526

A) is the NDA required to access classified material
C) Establishes policy and assigns responsibility for collateral information, SAP, SCI, and CUI
D) Governs the DoD INFOSEC program/implements policy

Question 2

What are the requirements for Derivative Classification? (Multiple Answers)

A) Observe and respect the OCAs original classification determination
B) Apply required markings
C) Provide Guidance
D) Only use authorized sources
E) Use caution when paraphrasing
F) Always take the appropriate steps to resolve any doubts you have
G) Confirm the information is eligible for classification

Answer 2

A) Observe and respect the OCAs original classification determination
B) Apply required markings
D) Only use authorized sources
E) Use caution when paraphrasing
F) Always take the appropriate steps to resolve any doubts you have

C) Provide Guidance and G) Confirm the information is eligible for classification are responsibilities of the OCA

Question 3

Arrange the steps for an OCA to classify information into the proper order:

A) Determine the Classification Level
B) Determine Classification Duration
C) Confirm the info is owned/controlled by the U.S. Government
D) Determine the Impact
E) Provide Guidance
F) Confirm the Info is Eligible for Classification

Answer 3

1. C) Confirm the info is owned/controlled by the U.S. Government
2. F) Confirm the Info is Eligible for Classification
3. D) Determine the Impact
4. A) Determine the Classification Level
5. B) Determine Classification Duration
6. E) Provide Guidance

Question 4

What are the 4 criteria to determine if information is eligible for classification?

A) Is the information official?
B) Is it under any prohibitions or limitations
C) Is it Foreign Government Information?
D) Is it already classified?
E) Does it constitute a vulnerability or capability related to national security?
F) Does it fall into one of the 8 categories of classified information?

Answer 4

A) Is the information official?
B) Is it under any prohibitions or limitations
D) Is it already classified?
F) Does it fall into one of the 8 categories of classified information?

C) Is it Foreign Government Information? and E) Does it constitute a vulnerability or capability related to national security? are both one of the 8 categories of classified information, not their own criteria to determine classification eligibility.

Question 5

T/F: Declassified foreign government information may be considered for original classification.

Answer 5

False, FGI is not owned or controlled by the US government and an OCA has no jurisdiction to classify it

Question 6

What are the categories of classified information?

A) Military plans and weapons systems
B) The name of a system, plan, program, or project
C) Foreign Government Information (FGI)
D) PII
E) Intelligence Acitivites/Sources/Methods
F) Foreign Relations/Activities
G) Science/Technology or Economic Matters Relating to National Security
H) Safeguarding Nuclear Material or Facilities
I) Vulnerabilities or Capabilities Related to National Security
J) WMDs

Answer 6

A) Military plans and weapons systems
C) Foreign Government Information (FGI)
E) Intelligence Acitivites/Sources/Methods
F) Foreign Relations/Activities
G) Science/Technology or Economic Matters Relating to National Security
H) Safeguarding Nuclear Material or Facilities
I) Vulnerabilities or Capabilities Related to National Security
J) WMDs

B) The name of a system, plan, program, or project is a requirement of an SCG. If this information is classified, the details pertaining to the system, plan, program, or project would be classified in addition to its name.
D) PII is typically CUI unless the person in question has ties to a classified system, plan, program, or project

Question 7

What is not a reason to classify information? (Multiple Answers)

A) Concealment of a crime or error
B) Preventing Embarrassment
C) Restrain Competition

Answer 7

All of these are not reasons to classify information

Question 8

What must be included on an SCG Cover Page?

A) The location of the SCIF or secure area where the classified information is stored
B) Authorized derivative classifiers
C) The office issuing the guide, identified by name or personal identifier and position
D) The OCA approving the guide
E) A statement of suppression, if necessary
F) A distribution statement

Answer 8

C) The office issuing the guide, identified by name or personal identifier and position
D) The OCA approving the guide
E) A statement of suppression, if necessary
F) A distribution statement

A) Should not be included in an SCG
B) Derivative classifiers are not authorized by an SCG

Question 9

Arrange the steps for an OCA to determine and justify the level of classification in the correct order.

A) Determine Level and be prepared to present their reason in a Court of Law
B) Communicate Guidance and follow up verbal confirmations with a written confirmation within 7 days
C) Determine Probable Impact and be prepared to provide a written description of the damage to national security in case of unauthorized disclosure

Answer 9

1. C) Determine Probable Impact and be prepared to provide a written description of the damage to national security in case of unauthorized disclosure
2. A) Determine Level and be prepared to present their reason in a Court of Law
3. B) Communicate Guidance and follow up verbal confirmations with a written confirmation within 7 days

Question 10

What topics must be covered in a derivative classification briefing?

A) The principles of derivative classification
B) Classification levels
C) The process for overruling original classification
D) Duration of classification
E) Declassifying information
F) Identification and Markings
G) Classification prohibitions and limitations
H) Sanctions
I) Security Classification Guides
J) Information Sharing

Answer 10

A) The principles of derivative classification
B) Classification levels
D) Duration of classification
F) Identification and Markings
G) Classification prohibitions and limitations
H) Sanctions
I) Security Classification Guides
J) Information Sharing

C) The process for overruling original classification is incorrect because derivative classifiers do not have authority to overrule original classification
E) Declassifying information is incorrect because derivative classifiers do not have authority to declassify information

Question 11

What are your responsibilities when derivatively classifying information?

A) To determine the impact to national security of the information
B) To observe and respect the original classification authority’s decision and only use authorized sources to determine derivative classification
C) To take classified information and generate into another form or medium
D) To re-word classified information into a new or different document

Answer 11

B) To observe and respect the original classification authority’s decision and only use authorized sources to determine derivative classification

A) To determine the impact to national security of the information is a responsibility of an OCA

C) To take classified information and generate into another form or medium and D) To re-word classified information into a new or different document are derivative classification methods, not responsibilities.

Question 12

What are the 3 methods used to derivatively classify information?

A) Extracting: taken directly from an authorized source
B) Contained in: Information used from an authorized source with no additional interpretation or analysis
C) Revealed by: Information 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
D) Paraphrasing: Re-worded in a new or different document
E) Generating: Taken from one form and generated into another form or medium
F) Compilation: combining or associating unclassified individual elements of information to reveal an additional association or relationship that warrants a classified level of protection

Answer 12

A) Extracting: taken directly from an authorized source
D) Paraphrasing: Re-worded in a new or different document
E) Generating: Taken from one form and generated into another form or medium

The below are incorrect because they are derivative classification concepts for determining classification level of derivatively classified information, not methods for derivative classification
B) Contained in: Information used from an authorized source with no additional interpretation or analysis
C) Revealed by: Information 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
F) Compilation: combining or associating unclassified individual elements of information to reveal an additional association or relationship that warrants a classified level of protection

Question 13

What are the 3 key concepts you must use to determine the classification LEVEL of the material you create?

A) Extracting: taken directly from an authorized source
B) Contained in: Information used from an authorized source with no additional interpretation or analysis
C) Revealed by: Information 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
D) Paraphrasing: Re-worded in a new or different document
E) Generating: Taken from one form and generated into another form or medium
F) Compilation: combining or associating unclassified individual elements of information to reveal an additional association or relationship that warrants a classified level of protection

Answer 13

B) Contained in: Information used from an authorized source with no additional interpretation or analysis
C) Revealed by: Information 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
F) Compilation: combining or associating unclassified individual elements of information to reveal an additional association or relationship that warrants a classified level of protection

The below are incorrect because they are derivative classification methods, not concepts for determining classification level of derivatively classified information
A) Extracting: taken directly from an authorized source
D) Paraphrasing: Re-worded in a new or different document
E) Generating: Taken from one form and generated into another form or medium

Question 14

What are NOT required content of a classification guide? (Multiple Answers)

A) The subject matter
B) The OCA and agency point of contact
C) The date of approval or last review
D) The identification and delineation of the specific items or elements of information warranting protection
E) Duration of the classified project, mission, or equipment use
F) The classification levels
G) Reason for classification
H) Project administrator or agency POCs
I) Duration of classification
J) Approved derivative classifiers
K) Applicable warnings and handling notices
L) Dissemination controls
M) Approved FOIA exemptions
N) Declassification instructions
O) A distribution statement

Answer 14

E) Duration of the classified project, mission, or equipment use is not on the SCG. Identification and delineation of the specific items or elements are required, but timelines have no bearing on the original classification.

H) Project administrator or agency POCs are not on the SCG. The only POCS are that of the OCA and agency classifying the information.

J) Approved derivative classifiers are not on the SCG. Derivative classifiers can be anyone with the appropriate access, training, and in a position where derivative classifying is necessary. Therefore, any list would be both fluid and too long to maintain

M) Approved FOIA exemptions are not on the SCG. FOIA requests for classified information are assessed on an ad hoc basis.

Question 15

T/F: When OCA’s are appointed, they are given a specific area of jurisdiction

Answer 15

True: They are assigned a specific realm in which they are qualified to make the original classification decision

Question 16

What must an OCA be trained in? (Multiple Answers)

A) OCA responsibilities
B) Classification principles
C) The avoidance of classified information
D) The criminal, civil, and administrative penalties for failing to protect classified information from unauthorized disclosure

Answer 16

All are correct

Question 17

T/F: OCA’s must always make a declassification determination when they originally classify information.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Unauthorized disclosure of this information could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to our national security:

A) Top Secret
B) Secret
C) Confidential

Answer 18

B) Secret

A) Top Secret would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security
C) Confidential would cause damage to national security

Question 19

Unauthorized disclosure of this information could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to our national security:

A) Top Secret
B) Secret
C) Confidential

Answer 19

A) Top Secret

B) Secret would cause serious damage to national security
C) Confidential would cause damage to national security

Question 20

Unauthorized disclosure of this information could reasonably be expected to cause damage to our national security:

A) Top Secret
B) Secret
C) Confidential

Answer 20

C) Confidential

A) Top Secret would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security
B) Secret would cause serious damage to national security

Question 21

What is Derivative Classification?

A) The incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form any information that is already classified
B) Creating classified material from a composite of unclassified material
C) An initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure
D) To observe and respect the original classification authority’s decision and only use authorized sources to determine derivative classification.

Answer 21

A) The incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form any information that is already classified

B) Creating classified material from a composite of unclassified material is incorrect. Unclassified information may reveal, when compiled, additional factors that qualify for classification but that is not the determination of a derivative classifier.
C) An initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure is Original Classification
D) To observe and respect the original classification authority’s decision and only use authorized sources to determine derivative classification is a responsibility of derivative classifiers, not the definition

Question 22

What is Original Classification?

A) The incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form any information that is already classified
B) An initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure
C) The term used to identify individuals specifically authorized in writing to make initial classification decisions
D) The six-step process an OCA applies in making classified determinations

Answer 22

B) An initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure

A) The incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form any information that is already classified is derivative classification.
C) Original Classification Authority is the term used to identify individuals specifically authorized in writing to make initial classification decisions. It is not the definition of the act of Original Classification
D) The six-step process an OCA applies in making classified determinations is the Original Classification Process, not the definition of Original Classification

Question 23

What is a Security Classification Guide?

A) A sheet that alerts holders to the presence of classified information and prevents inadvertent view of classified information by unauthorized personnel
B) A contractual agreement between the U.S. Government and a cleared employee in which the employee agrees to never disclose classified information to an unauthorized person
C) This contains classification levels, special requirements and duration instructions for programs, projects, plans, etc.
D) Instructions for derivative classifiers to apply to any derived material

Answer 23

C) This contains classification levels, special requirements and duration instructions for programs, projects, plans, etc.

A) A COVER SHEET alerts holders to the presence of classified information and prevents inadvertent view of classified information by unauthorized personnel.
B) An SF312 is a contractual agreement between the U.S. Government and a cleared employee in which the employee agrees to never disclose classified information to an unauthorized person
D) SCGs should be used as guides for derivative classifiers to apply to any derived material, but it is not their primary or sole function

Question 23

Define Compilation:

A) Information used from an authorized source with no additional interpretation or analysis
B) Unclassified information or classified information (at lower level) that, when the information is combined or associated, reveals additional factors that qualify for classification.
C) Information 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

Answer 23

B) Unclassified information or classified information (at lower level) that, when the information is combined or associated, reveals additional factors that qualify for classification.

A) Information used from an authorized source with no additional interpretation or analysis describes the Key Concept of CONTAINED IN
C) Information 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 describes the Key Concept of REVEALED BY

Question 23

What is an Original Classification Authority?

A) The incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form any information that is already classified
B) An initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure
C) The six-step process an OCA applies in making classified determinations
D) The term used to identify individuals specifically authorized in writing to make initial classification decisions

Answer 23

D) The term used to identify individuals specifically authorized in writing to make initial classification decisions

A) The incorporating, paraphrasing, restating, or generating in new form any information that is already classified is DERIVATIVE CLASSIFICATION
B) An initial determination that information requires, in the interest of national security, protection against unauthorized disclosure is ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION, not the definition of an OCA
C) The six-step process an OCA applies in making classified determinations is the ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION PROCESS, not the definition of an OCA

Question 23

What is the Original Classification Process?

A) Taking classified information directly from an authorized source
B) Re-wording classified information in a new or different document
C) Taking classified information from one form and generated into another form or medium
D) The six-step process an OCA applies in making classified determinations

Answer 23

D) The six-step process an OCA applies in making classified determinations

A, B, and C are the EXTRACTING, PARAPHRASING, and GENERATING methods of derivatively classifying respectively

Question 24

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the policy documents associated with DoD policies on information classification.

A) The soldier says that EO 13526 calls for basic classification policy that advocates classifying information only when necessary to prevent damage to US national security and only for as long as necessary, but not longer than 15 years

B) The sailor says that DoD 5200.2R is the policy document that established the baseline information security requirements for the DoD.

Who is correct?

Answer 24

Both are incorrect. Though EO 13526 provides overall guidance for classifying information, specifically DoD policies associated with information classification can be found in DoDM 5200.01 Vols 1-3.

Question 25

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the topic of classifying information

A) The soldier says that information eligible for classification is owned by, produced for, or is under the strict control of the government.

B) The sailor says that the three classification levels differ in the extent of damage one can expect from the unauthorized disclosure of the designated information.

Who is correct?

Answer 25

Both are correct.

Question 26

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the topic of classifying information

A) The soldier says that information can be classified to prevent or delay public release

B) The sailor says that information ineligible for classification can still be classified if there is a need to limit dissemination of the information

Who is correct?

Answer 26

Both are incorrect.

The soldier is incorrect because information cannot be classified just to prevent or delay public release–there must be an identified and justifiable danger to national security.

The sailor is incorrect because a need to limit dissemination is NOT the same as a reasonable expectation that disclosure of the information could cause damage to national security. Classification justifies the need to limit dissemination, not the other way around.

Question 27

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the topic of original classification.

A) The soldier says that original classification refers to the initial determination that information requires protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interest of US national security

B) The sailor says that original classification entails the use of a 6-step process that results in the information custodian making a classification determination.

Who is correct?

Answer 27

The soldier is correct

Though original classification does entail the use of a 6-step process, that is not the best definition. Additionally, the information custodian does not make a classification determination: the original classification authority does.

Question 28

T/F: Original classification authority is delegated to occupants of a position

Answer 28

True

Question 29

T/F: Delegation of the original classification authority (OCA) needs to specify the lowest level the OCA can classify a piece of information

Answer 29

False: Delegation of OCA needs to specify the highest level the OCA can classify a piece of information

Question 30

T/F: An OCA cannot issue a SCG until approved by the Information Security Oversight Office

Answer 30

False: An OCA must issue a SCG with their determination and does not require approval from the ISOO

Question 31

T/F: An OCA can communicate their classification decision by issuing either a security classification guide or a properly marked source document

Answer 31

True

Question 32

T/F: The original classification process begins with a determination of whether or not the information is official government classification and is not already classified by another OCA

Answer 32

True

Question 33

T/F: EO 13526 requires the OCA to identify or describe the damage to national security that could reasonably be expected from the unauthorized disclosure of the information

Answer 33

True

Question 34

T/F: Prior to making classification determinations using the original classification process, the OCA must go through required training per DoD 5200.1-4

Answer 34

True

Question 35

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the topic of derivative classification

The soldier says that derivatively classified information needs to be reviewed and approved by delegates of the OCA

The sailor says that derivative classification refers to an individual’s responsibility to properly mark newly developed material consistent with the classification markings specified in authorized sources.

Who is correct?

Answer 35

The sailor is correct. Derivative classification authority is decentralized and does not have to be approved by the OCA or their staff.

Question 36

T/F: The derivative classification process includes the evaluation of the original classification authority’s original classification determination

Answer 36

True

Question 37

T/F: The original classification process only includes the assignment of a classification level to eligible official government information, but not a determination of how long the classification should last.

Answer 37

False: An OCA must make a duration determination when initially classifying information

Question 38

T/F: The derivative classification process calls for the use of the authorized source, such as the DD 254 to apply required markings on derivative documents

Answer 38

True

Question 39

T/F: The SCG takes precedence when there is a conflict between marking information presented in the source document and the SCG

Answer 39

True

Question 40

Derivative classifiers need to be aware that paraphrasing or restating of classified information extracted from a classified document could result in change in classification.

Answer 40

True

Question 41

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the SCG.

The soldier says that derivative classifiers use the SCG to determine if something is classified, its classification level, downgrading and declassification instructions, special control notices, and other info critical to the proper classification, marking, and dissemination of the items in question.

The sailor says that the SCG is a document issued by the component or agency’s Information Security Program based on properly marked source documents created by OCA’s

Who is correct?

Answer 41

The soldier is correct. An SCG is created by the source document’s OCA and contains all the information from the soldier’s definition.

Question 42

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the SCG.

The soldier says that SCG specifies classification levels, special requirements, and duration instructions for classified programs, projects, and plans.

Chris says that the SCG serves to document the results of implementation of a derivative classification process

Who is correct?

Answer 42

The soldier is correct. An SCG is created by an Original Classification Authority to inform the derivative classification process

Question 43

A soldier and a sailor are discussing compilation.

The soldier says that the classification by compilation includes situations when two or more pieces of unclassified information, when combined or associated, warrant protection as classified information.

The sailor says that classification by compilation applies when pieces of information classified at a lower level, by virtue of being combined or associated, warrant a higher classification level.

Who is correct?

Answer 43

Both are correct

Question 44

A soldier and a sailor are discussing classification markings.

The soldier says that marking informs custodians of the specific protection requirements for the information.

The sailor says that the standards and requirements for the marking of DoD classified and controlled unclassified information can be found in EO 13526

Who is correct?

Answer 44

The soldier is correct . The sailor is thinking of DoDM 5200.1.

Tip: If a question asks about DOD policies, it is probably referring to DoDI or DoDM 5200.1

Question 45

A soldier and a sailor are discussing classification marking.

The soldier says that both original and derivative classifiers are responsible for marking and designation of classified information.

The sailor says that original classifiers need to pay special attention to the required markings they will need to apply on information that has appeared in a newspaper, magazine, or other medium.

Who is correct?

Answer 45

Both are correct.

Question 46

T/F: Required markings for originally classified documents include the overall classification of the document

Answer 46

True

Question 47

T/F: Required markings for originally classified documents include a concise reason for classification.

Answer 47

True

Question 48

T/F: Required markings for originally classified documents include applicable instructions for the declassification and/or downgrading of the document

Answer 48

True

Question 49

T/F: Required markings for originally classified documents include page markings and portion markings

Answer 49

True

Question 50

T/F: Required markings for originally classified documents include applicable control notices.

Answer 50

True

Question 51

T/F: Required markings for originally classified documents include information about the OCA of the document using the “Classified By” line

Answer 51

True

Question 52

A soldier and a sailor are discussing the classification marking process.

The soldier says that the first step in marking a document is to identify the overall classification level of the information contained in the document.

The sailor says that the overall classification of a document depends on the highest classification level of the information contained in the document.

Who is correct?

Answer 52

The sailor is correct.

Question 53

A soldier and a sailor are discussing properly marking a derivatively classified document.

The soldier says that derivative classifiers need to consult either the classified source documents and/or classification guides to determine the classification level for each portion of the derivative document.

The sailor says that when conducting portion markings, derivative classifiers need to mark unclassified information exempt from FOIA release with a (U) for unclassified.

Who is correct?

Answer 53

The soldier is correct. Unclassified information exempt from FOIA release would, though unclassified, is still considered sensitive and would be marked “CUI” (Controlled Unclassified Information)