Understanding what is Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Understanding what is Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

The term ‘Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)’ refers to unclassified information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls that comply with specific law, regulations, or government-wide policies.

Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), on the other hand, refers to the subset of CUI that requires legal and technical safeguarding requirements, based on the authority provided by laws, regulations, or government-wide policies.

Legal definition of CUI

A legal definition of CUI was established in Executive Order (EO) 13556 titled ‘Controlled Unclassified Information,’ which was signed by President Obama on November 4, 2010. EO 13556 defined CUI as information that falls into one or more of the following categories:

– Law, regulation, or government-wide policy requires safeguarding or dissemination controls;
– Contains sensitive information that could be reasonably expected to cause damage to national security; law enforcement; foreign relations; the privacy of individuals; or any person, organization, or governmental entity if improperly disseminated, or
– Is not classified information, but that a federal agency determines requires protection and control against unauthorized disclosures.

The need for Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Mandatory CUI is critical in safeguarding sensitive government information and ensuring its proper handling. The need for mandatory CUI is highlighted in several laws and regulations, including the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 12, and DFARS provisions.

In addition to the legal requirements, there are also practical reasons for implementing CUI controls. For instance, safeguarding sensitive government information can prevent potential harm to national security and foreign relations, protect individuals’ privacy, and maintain the integrity of government operations.

Examples of Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Examples of Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information include personally identifiable information (PII), law enforcement sensitive information, sensitive security information (SSI), sensitive but unclassified information (SBU), export-controlled information, and intellectual property.

These types of information require safeguarding controls such as access restrictions, data encryption, and configuration management, among others.

Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information and Cybersecurity

Mandatory CUI plays a crucial role in ensuring cyber resilience, especially in the government sector. Cyber threats and attacks against government networks continue to increase, and the consequences of a cyber breach can be catastrophic.

By implementing mandatory CUI controls, government agencies can ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information, as well as maintain an effective cybersecurity posture.

Conclusion

In summary, Mandatory Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is a critical subset of unclassified information that requires legal and technical safeguarding to comply with specific laws, regulations, or government-wide policies.

By implementing mandatory CUI controls, government agencies can safeguard sensitive information, prevent potential harm, and maintain the integrity of government operations. As cyber threats continue to increase, mandatory CUI plays a critical role in enhancing cyber resilience and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information.

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