Applying protective markings to government information
Protective markings are placed on information and equipment to show the level of protection they need. Once you’ve identified information or equipment that needs protection or special handling (or both), you must assign a protective marking to it.
Requirements to apply protective markings also apply to information held within information and communications technology (ICT) systems such as databases, document management systems, email, or removable media.
How to apply protective markings depends on the how and where the information is created, stored, accessed, and used. For example, protective markings go at the top and bottom of each page of a document. A document means any form of recorded information, such as reports, letters, books, email, minutes, memoranda, films, charts, tapes, images, and digital media.
When printed documents are filed, their protective markings should be clearly visible. The same rule applies to removable electronic and optical media, such as USBs, CD-ROMs, microfilms, photographs, and removable hard drives.
Protective markings include Classifications and Endorsements.