CUI

Refers to sensitive data that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls but is not classified under national security systems. The U.S. government established the CUI program, managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), to standardize the handling of sensitive information by federal agencies and their contractors.

CUI includes categories such as personally identifiable information (PII), financial data, proprietary business information, and law enforcement records. While not classified as secret or top secret, unauthorized access to this data could still compromise privacy, security, or operational integrity.

Organizations handling CUI, especially those working with the Department of Defense or other federal agencies, must comply with frameworks like NIST SP 800-171. These standards define security requirements for protecting CUI in non-federal systems, including access control, incident response, and encryption.

Unlike classified information, CUI does not require formal security clearances to access; however, it must be labeled, stored, and transmitted securely in accordance with federal guidance. Mismanagement can result in penalties, contract losses, and reputational damage. The CUI program thus bridges the gap between fully classified data and public information, ensuring consistent protection of sensitive but unclassified federal data.