Classified Information
Contents
Definition
Classified is a term for information that has potential to damage national security.
Unclassified is the inverse term. Unclassified information still needs to be cleared for public release and may be controlled as CUI.
Ranks
Classified information is organized into ranks.
- Top Secret
- Secret
- Confidential
The difference lies in the "expected damage" that would result from disclosure. Top secret corresponds to "exceptionally grave damage".
There are additionally two ranks for unclassified information.
- Official or For Official Use Only
- Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU)