The separation of Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) classified material from collateral classified material is identified by the SCI markings/caveats that appear with the classification and clearly show that the information is in a special compartment rather than standard (collateral) channels.

Key idea in one line

SCI material is distinguished from collateral material by additional compartment/caveat markings (codewords or control channels) that ride with the normal classification level.

What “collateral” vs SCI means

  • Collateral information is normal Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret material that does not require special access beyond the usual clearance and need‑to‑know.
  • SCI is information about sensitive intelligence sources, methods, or analysis that must be handled within special control systems and facilities (e.g., SCIFs).

How the separation is actually identified

  • SCI material is marked with specific SCI caveats/compartments (often codewords) in addition to the overall classification, which “defines the separation of SCI classified material from collateral classified material.”
  • These caveats or codewords are written alongside the level, so a document might show something like “TOP SECRET//[SCI COMPARTMENT]” instead of just “TOP SECRET,” clearly separating it from collateral Top Secret.

In plain language (test‑style answer)

  • The separation of SCI material from collateral classified material is identified by the SCI caveats/compartment markings that accompany the classification and indicate special access requirements beyond normal collateral handling.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.