The Security Classification Guide (SCG) states:
(C) Cpl Rice and Sgt Davis are attending the joint exercise.
(U) The exercise begins 1 May.
(C) The name of the exercise is Jagged Edge.
(S) The name of the attendees and the name of the exercise.
The new document states:
(C) Cpl Rice and Sgt Davis will both be attending the Jagged Edge exercise.
Note: The compilation of attendees and the name of the exercise within the same document is classified as SECRET per the SCG.
What concept is used to derivatively classify the statement in the new document?
(Select the best answer)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Compilation
Explanation:
The concept used to derivatively classify the statement in the new document is “Compilation.”
Compilation refers to the idea that while individual pieces of information may be unclassified or classified at a lower level, when combined together, they may reveal more sensitive information and require a higher level of classification. In the context of derivative classification, this principle ensures that documents presenting a combination of data points are properly assessed for their combined security impact.
Let’s break down the information given:
- The Security Classification Guide (SCG) specifies:
- (C) Cpl Rice and Sgt Davis are attending the joint exercise.
- (U) The exercise begins 1 May.
- (C) The name of the exercise is Jagged Edge.
- (S) The combination of attendees’ names and the name of the exercise is classified as SECRET.
Individually, the attendees and the name of the exercise are classified as Confidential. But according to the SCG, when this specific combination is mentioned together, it rises to the SECRET classification level.
In the new document, the statement is:
“(C) Cpl Rice and Sgt Davis will both be attending the Jagged Edge exercise.”
Although it’s marked (C), this classification is incorrect because the compilation of the attendees’ names and the exercise’s name is explicitly classified as SECRET in the SCG.
Hence, the correct derivative classification must reflect the SECRET level due to the compilation of sensitive data.
This scenario exemplifies how derivative classifiers must apply not only the individual classification levels of each data point but also consider their combined sensitivity as outlined in the SCG. Failing to recognize this could lead to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.
In summary: The correct concept used to classify the information at the higher level in the new document is Compilation, as it involves evaluating the security sensitivity of the combined data elements.