FCI

Refers to information that is not intended for public release and is provided by or generated for the U.S. government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the government. While it is less sensitive than Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), FCI still requires safeguarding to prevent unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure that could harm government operations or contractor performance.

FCI typically includes internal communications, technical data, deliverables, and other materials related to federal contracts that do not fall under public or classified categories. It excludes information shared publicly, such as press releases, marketing materials, or general product documentation.

Under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.204-21, contractors and subcontractors who handle FCI must implement a basic set of cybersecurity practices to protect it. These 15 security requirements, derived from NIST SP 800-171, cover access control, system protection, data integrity, and incident response.

Protecting FCI is a foundational step toward compliance with broader frameworks such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). While the data itself may not pose a national security risk, its compromise could expose procurement details or operational vulnerabilities, making consistent protection essential across the federal supply chain.