What do Security Classification Guides (SCGs) provide?

Security Classification Guides (SCGs) play a crucial role in the classification of information within the Department of Defense and other governmental entities. They provide derivative classification instructions, which outline how to appropriately classify information that is derived from or based on already classified material. This includes specifying the classification levels to be applied based on the sensitivity of the information and the nature of its content.

SCGs help ensure consistency in classification across the organization, enabling individuals to apply the same standards when classifying new documents or data derived from previously classified sources. By specifying these instructions, SCGs aid in maintaining national security by preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information while also allowing for the necessary flow of information within secure channels.