Which of the following is NOT a step in derivative classification?

Which of the following is NOT a step in derivative classification?

• A. Conducting a source review and applying classification guidance
• B. Determining the level and duration of protection
• C. Citing the classification guidelines used for the source
• D. Making the initial determination that information requires protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interest of national security

Answer: (D)

Derivative classification is about taking existing classified or unclassified source material and applying established classification guidance to create a new document. The essential steps are: review the source and apply the guidance to the derivative content, decide the appropriate level and how long that protection should last, and cite the specific guidelines you used. The task of making the initial determination that information requires protection in the interest of national security isn’t done in derivative classification; that decision is part of the original classification process, where the need to protect information is identified for the source material itself. So, while you verify and apply guidance to the derivative, you don’t make that initial protection determination anew.

Derivative classification is about taking existing classified or unclassified source material and applying established classification guidance to create a new document. The essential steps are: review the source and apply the guidance to the derivative content, decide the appropriate level and how long that protection should last, and cite the specific guidelines you used. The task of making the initial determination that information requires protection in the interest of national security isn’t done in derivative classification; that decision is part of the original classification process, where the need to protect information is identified for the source material itself. So, while you verify and apply guidance to the derivative, you don’t make that initial protection determination anew.