Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is a critical concept within the U.S. Federal Government, designed to standardize the way sensitive unclassified information is handled. Within the broader framework of CUI, a key distinction exists between CUI Basic and CUI Specified. Understanding “What Is Cui Specified” is essential for anyone working with federal information, as it dictates specific safeguarding and dissemination controls that must be implemented. This article delves into the definition of CUI Specified, its significance, and its relationship to the overall CUI Program.
Defining CUI Specified: Specificity in Handling Controls
To fully grasp “what is CUI Specified,” it’s important to first understand the overarching definition of Controlled Unclassified Information itself. CUI is information that the U.S. Government creates or possesses—or that an entity creates or possesses on behalf of the government—that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls according to law, regulation, or government-wide policy. This definition excludes classified information, which falls under separate, more stringent security protocols.
CUI Specified is a subset within CUI where the authorizing law, regulation, or government-wide policy not only mandates control but also specifies particular handling controls. These specific controls differentiate CUI Specified from CUI Basic. While CUI Basic adheres to a uniform set of baseline controls outlined in 32 CFR Part 2002 and the CUI Registry, CUI Specified requires adherence to additional, explicitly defined safeguards.
The CUI Registry plays a crucial role in identifying which laws, regulations, and government-wide policies trigger CUI Specified requirements. It clearly indicates when specific handling controls are mandated beyond the basic CUI framework. These specified controls can be more rigorous than CUI Basic controls or simply different, tailored to the nature of the information and the associated risks.
It’s crucial to note that even when dealing with CUI Specified, if the authorizing authority doesn’t detail specific controls for every aspect of handling, the CUI Basic controls automatically apply to those areas not explicitly addressed. This layered approach ensures comprehensive protection, combining general standards with specific directives where needed.
Key Terms Related to CUI Specified
To further clarify “what is CUI Specified,” understanding related terminology within the CUI framework is beneficial:
CUI Basic
As mentioned, CUI Basic is the other primary subset of CUI. It encompasses information for which the authorizing authority (law, regulation, or government-wide policy) requires safeguarding and dissemination controls but does not specify particular methods. CUI Basic relies on the standard, uniform controls detailed in 32 CFR Part 2002 and the CUI Registry. Think of CUI Basic as the foundational level of protection for controlled unclassified information, applying broadly where specific directives are absent.
CUI Registry
The CUI Registry is the central online repository serving as the authoritative source for all things CUI. Managed by the CUI Executive Agent (EA), which is the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) through the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), the CUI Registry is indispensable for understanding and implementing the CUI Program. It contains:
- A comprehensive list of all approved CUI categories and subcategories.
- General descriptions for each category and subcategory.
- The legal or policy basis for control.
- Approved markings for CUI.
- Guidance on handling procedures, including differentiation between CUI Basic and CUI Specified.
For anyone seeking to understand “what is CUI Specified” and how to handle it properly, the CUI Registry is the primary reference point.
Control Level
Control Level is a general term that distinguishes between the safeguarding and dissemination requirements associated with CUI Basic and CUI Specified. It’s a high-level indicator of the protective measures required. CUI Specified inherently implies a potentially higher or more specific control level compared to CUI Basic, due to the additional mandates from authorizing authorities.
Controls
Controls in the CUI context refer to the safeguarding and dissemination measures that laws, regulations, or government-wide policies require or permit agencies to use when handling CUI. These controls are the practical implementations of the CUI Program. For CUI Specified, the “controls” are not just the general CUI Basic controls, but also the specific controls mandated by the relevant authorizing authority. These can include specific procedures for access, storage, transmission, or destruction of the information.
Authorized Holder
An Authorized Holder is any individual, agency, organization, or group of users who are permitted to designate or handle CUI. Authorization is granted in accordance with 32 CFR Part 2002. Understanding who is an authorized holder is critical for both CUI Basic and CUI Specified, as it defines the circle of individuals and entities entrusted with handling sensitive information. For CUI Specified, authorization may sometimes be more narrowly defined or come with additional stipulations outlined in the specific controls.
Handling
Handling encompasses any interaction with CUI, including but not limited to:
- Marking the information correctly to indicate its CUI status.
- Safeguarding it against unauthorized access and disclosure.
- Transporting it securely if necessary.
- Disseminating it only to authorized holders.
- Re-using information appropriately, and
- Disposing of it securely when no longer needed.
The handling requirements for CUI Specified may include very specific procedures for each of these stages, going beyond the general guidelines for CUI Basic.
Disseminating
Disseminating refers to providing access to, transmitting, or transferring CUI to other authorized holders, whether within an agency or externally. For CUI Specified, dissemination controls are often a key area of specific requirements. Authorizing policies might dictate exactly who can receive the information, under what conditions, and what methods of transmission are permissible. These restrictions are often tighter than those for CUI Basic.
Why CUI Specified Matters: Implications and Importance
Understanding “what is CUI Specified” is not merely an academic exercise; it has significant practical implications:
- Compliance: Failing to adhere to CUI Specified controls can lead to non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This can result in audits, penalties, and reputational damage for agencies and organizations.
- Enhanced Security: CUI Specified controls are designed to provide a higher level of security for particularly sensitive unclassified information. Properly implementing these controls is crucial to protecting national interests, individual privacy, and the integrity of government operations.
- Risk Management: By clearly defining specific handling requirements, CUI Specified helps agencies and organizations better manage risks associated with sensitive information. It allows for a more targeted and effective approach to security.
- Informed Decision Making: Knowing whether information is CUI Basic or CUI Specified, and understanding the specific controls involved, allows authorized holders to make informed decisions about how to handle that information responsibly and securely.
- Interagency and External Collaboration: When sharing information across agencies or with external partners, understanding CUI Specified is essential for ensuring consistent and appropriate protection throughout the information lifecycle. Agreements and arrangements for information sharing must take into account the CUI Specified requirements.
In conclusion, “what is CUI Specified” refers to Controlled Unclassified Information that is subject to specific handling controls mandated by law, regulation, or government-wide policy, in addition to the baseline CUI Basic controls. Recognizing and correctly implementing these specific controls is paramount for maintaining compliance, enhancing security, and effectively managing sensitive unclassified information within the U.S. Federal Government and its partner ecosystem. The CUI Registry is the definitive resource for identifying CUI Specified categories and understanding the precise controls that apply.
