A classified document is used as source material for a new document. What is this an example of?

A classified document is used as source material for a new document. What is this an example of?

• A. Declassification
• B. Derivative classification
• C. Reclassification
• D. Initial classification

Answer: (B)

Derivative classification is the act of creating a new document based on classified material and assigning the appropriate classification to that new document. When you use a classified document as source material, you must determine how sensitive the new content remains and mark the new document accordingly, carrying over the source’s classification guidance. You may need to classify the portions that reflect the source at the same level (or higher) and include provenance like “Derived from [source document].” If the new material adds no extra sensitivity beyond the source, the document still must be marked at the appropriate level based on the source content. This differs from declassification, which lowers a document’s protection; from reclassification, which changes the level of an existing document; and from initial classification, which is the first act of marking information as classified when it’s created rather than derived from an existing classified source.

Derivative classification is the act of creating a new document based on classified material and assigning the appropriate classification to that new document. When you use a classified document as source material, you must determine how sensitive the new content remains and mark the new document accordingly, carrying over the source’s classification guidance. You may need to classify the portions that reflect the source at the same level (or higher) and include provenance like “Derived from [source document].” If the new material adds no extra sensitivity beyond the source, the document still must be marked at the appropriate level based on the source content. This differs from declassification, which lowers a document’s protection; from reclassification, which changes the level of an existing document; and from initial classification, which is the first act of marking information as classified when it’s created rather than derived from an existing classified source.