Spillage
After reading an online story about a new security project being developed on the military installation where you work, your neighbor asks you to comment about the article. You know that this project is classified. How should you respond?
Attempt to change the subject to something non-work related, but neither confirm nor deny the article’s authenticity
Explanation: To avoid confirming or denying the classified information, it’s best to steer the conversation away from work-related topics. This helps maintain security and ensures compliance with non-disclosure obligations.
Which of the following may help to prevent spillage?
Label all files, removable media, and subject headers with appropriate classification markings.
Explanation: Properly labeling files, removable media, and subject headers with appropriate classification markings is a key measure to prevent spillage. This ensures that individuals handling the information are aware of its classification level and follow the necessary security protocols.
A user writes down details marked as Secret from a report stored on a classified system and uses those details to draft a briefing on an unclassified system without authorization. What is the best choice to describe what has occurred?
Spillage because classified data was moved to a lower classification level system without authorization.
Explanation: Spillage occurs when classified information is moved to a lower classification level without authorization. In this case, the user transferred Secret information to an unclassified system without proper authorization, constituting spillage.
What should you do when you are working on an unclassified system and receive an email with a classified attachment?
Call your security point of contact immediately
Explanation: Receiving a classified attachment on an unclassified system is a security incident. It should be reported promptly to the security point of contact for proper handling and resolution.
What should you do if a reporter asks you about potentially classified information on the web?
Ask for information about the website, including the URL.
Explanation: Before providing any information, it’s essential to gather details about the potentially classified information. Asking for the website’s URL allows for proper investigation and reporting to the appropriate authorities.
What should you do if you suspect spillage has occurred?
Immediately notify your security point of contact
Explanation: Prompt reporting of suspected spillage is crucial. Notifying the security point of contact allows for timely investigation and mitigation of potential security risks.
Which of the following is a good practice to prevent spillage?
Be aware of classification markings and all handling caveats.
Explanation: Being aware of classification markings and handling caveats is essential to prevent spillage. Proper understanding and adherence to classification protocols help maintain the security of sensitive information.
Which of the following actions is appropriate after finding classified information on the Internet?
Note any identifying information and the website’s Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
Explanation: Noting identifying information and the website’s URL is important for reporting the situation to the appropriate authorities. This helps in investigating and addressing the unauthorized presence of classified information on the internet.
Which of the following may help to prevent spillage?
- Verify that any government equipment used for processing classified information has valid anti-virus software before connecting it to the internet
- Follow procedures for transferring data to and from outside agency and non-Government networks
- Purge the memory of any device removed from a classified network before connecting it to an unclassified network
- Process all data at the highest classification or protection level available, including unclassified data
Explanation: The following practices may help prevent spillage:
- Verifying anti-virus software on government equipment
- Following procedures for data transfer
- Purging memory before connecting devices to different networks
- Processing data at the highest classification level
You find information that you know to be classified on the Internet. What should you do?
Note the website’s URL and report the situation to your security point of contact
Explanation: Noting the website’s URL and reporting the situation to the security point of contact is the appropriate action to take when classified information is found on the internet. This allows for investigation and appropriate handling.
You Receive an inquiry from a reporter about government information not cleared for public release. How should you respond?
- Refer to reporter to your organization’s public affairs office
Explanation: When faced with an inquiry about government information not cleared for public release, it’s best to refer the reporter to the organization’s public affairs office. They are better equipped to handle media inquiries and ensure compliance with communication policies.
A vendor conducting a pilot program with your organization contacts you for organizational data to use in a prototype. How should you respond?
- Direct the vendor to publicly available data
Explanation: In this situation, directing the vendor to publicly available data is the appropriate response. Providing organizational data, especially without proper authorization, could pose security risks.
Classified Data
When classified data is not in use, how can you protect it?
Store classified data appropriately in a GSA-approved vault/container.
Explanation: Proper storage of classified data in a GSA-approved vault or container is essential when the data is not in use. This ensures physical security and prevents unauthorized access.
What is required for an individual to access classified data?
Appropriate clearance, a signed and approved non-disclosure agreement, and need-to-know
Explanation: Access to classified data requires appropriate clearance, a signed and approved non-disclosure agreement, and a legitimate need-to-know. These measures help ensure that only authorized individuals access classified information.
Which classification level is given to information that could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security?
Secret
Explanation: Information classified as Secret is given to data that could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.
Which of the following is a good practice to protect classified information?
Ensure proper labeling by appropriately marking all classified material and, when required, sensitive material
Explanation: Proper labeling through appropriate classification markings is crucial to protect classified information. This ensures that individuals handling the material are aware of its sensitivity and follow necessary security measures.
Which of the following is true of protecting classified data?
Classified material must be appropriately marked.
Explanation: Proper marking of classified material is a fundamental requirement to protect classified data. Clear and accurate markings help individuals identify the classification level and handle the information accordingly.
What level of damage can the unauthorized disclosure of information classified as Confidential reasonably be expected to cause?
Damage to national security
Explanation: The unauthorized disclosure of information classified as Confidential can reasonably be expected to cause damage to national security.
Which of the following is true about telework?
You must have your organization’s permission to telework
Explanation: Telework often requires explicit permission from the organization. It involves working remotely, and organizations typically establish policies and procedures to govern telework arrangements.
Which type of information could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security if disclosed without authorization?
Secret
Explanation: Secret information could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.
How should you protect a printed classified document when it is not in use?
Store it in a General Services Administration (GSA)-approved vault or container
Explanation: When not in use, printed classified documents should be stored in a GSA-approved vault or container to ensure physical security and prevent unauthorized access.
Who designates whether information is classified and its classification level?
- National Security Agency (NSA) (Wrong)
Explanation: The designation of classified information and its classification level is typically done by the originating agency or authority, not the National Security Agency (NSA).
Which of the following is a good practice for telework?
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to obscure your true geographic location
Explanation: Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a good practice for telework as it helps enhance security by obscuring the true geographic location of the user.
What is the basis for handling and storage of classified data?
- Organizational policy
- Security Classification Guides (SCGs)
- Classification markings and handling caveats
- General Services Administration (GSA) approval
Explanation: The basis for handling and storage of classified data includes organizational policy, Security Classification Guides (SCGs), classification markings, and handling caveats.
What level of damage to national security can you reasonably expect Top Secret information to cause if disclosed?
Exceptionally grave damage
Explanation: The unauthorized disclosure of Top Secret information can reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
Which of the following is true of protecting classified data?
- Classified material must be appropriately marked.
- Secure facilities allow open storage of classified material.
- Classified material may be used in unsecured areas as long as it remains in the possession of an individual with the proper clearance and need-to-know.
Explanation: Classified material must be appropriately marked to ensure proper handling. The other options are incorrect; open storage in secure facilities is not common, and using classified material in unsecured areas requires adherence to specific protocols.
Insider Threat
Based on the description that follows, how many potential insider threat indicator(s) are displayed? A colleague vacations at the beach every year, is married and a father of four, sometimes has poor work quality, and works well with his team.
0 indicator
Explanation: The provided description does not indicate any potential insider threat indicators. The colleague’s personal life and work characteristics mentioned do not raise concerns related to insider threats.
How many potential insider threat indicators does a coworker who often makes others uneasy by being persistent in trying to obtain information about classified projects to which he has no access, is boisterous about his wife putting them in credit card debt, and often complains about anxiety and exhaustion display?
3 or more indicators
Explanation: The coworker displays three potential insider threat indicators: persistent attempts to obtain classified information, financial stress indicated by credit card debt, and expressing anxiety and exhaustion. Multiple indicators raise concerns.
Based on the description that follows, how many potential insider threat indicator(s) are displayed? A colleague is playful and charming, consistently wins performance awards, and is occasionally aggressive in trying to access classified information.
1 indicator
Explanation: The colleague displays one potential insider threat indicator: occasional aggression in trying to access classified information. While the individual may have positive traits, the aggression is a concern.
What advantages do “insider threats” have over others that allows them to cause damage to their organizations more easily?
Insiders are given a level of trust and have authorized access to Government information systems
Explanation: Insider threats have an advantage because they are trusted employees with authorized access to government information systems. This trust can be exploited to cause damage to organizations.
What type of activity or behavior should be reported as a potential insider threat?
Coworker making consistent statements indicative of hostility or anger toward the United States in its policies.
Explanation: Consistent statements indicative of hostility or anger toward the United States in its policies should be reported as a potential insider threat. Such sentiments may indicate a security risk.
Which of the following should be reported as a potential security incident?
A coworker removes sensitive information without authorization
Explanation: A coworker removing sensitive information without authorization constitutes a potential security incident and should be reported promptly for investigation and resolution.