Who is responsible for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)? Protecting CUI is a shared duty across U.S. government entities, contractors, and individuals handling this sensitive data.

Core Responsibilities

CUI safeguarding starts at the top with executives ensuring resources and compliance under DoD Instruction and federal rules like 32 CFR Part 2002. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) serves as the Executive Agent overseeing the program, while the Information Security Oversight Office monitors executive branch compliance. Ultimately, anyone accessing or creating CUI—from employees to subcontractors—must protect it through proper marking, storage, and handling to prevent breaches.

Key Roles Breakdown

Here's a table outlining primary roles and duties:

Role| Main Duties
---|---
Executives/Management| Allocate budgets, enforce policies, and maintain accountability for DoD and NIST standards 1
Facility Security Officers (FSOs)| Handle physical security, personnel vetting, and marking CUI/FOUO materials 1
IT/Cybersecurity Teams| Secure systems per NIST SP 800-171, block cyber threats, and control dissemination 15
Contractors/Subcontractors| Implement NIST 800-171 safeguards, report incidents within 72 hours, and train staff 35
Authorized Holders| Mark, store, and limit access to CUI, even in derivative documents 5

This structure ensures no single point of failure, as seen in real-world risks like OPM breaches where weak CUI controls exposed paths to classified data.

Why It Matters Now

In February 2026, with rising cyberattacks on defense supply chains, CMMC certifications demand strict CUI adherence—government agencies designate it, but contractors bear daily protection loads. Recent updates emphasize flowing requirements to subs, per DFARS 252.204-7012.

Protection Best Practices

  • Mark Clearly : Use banners like "CUI//SP-PRVCY" for specified categories
  • Train Everyone : Cover handling, export controls, and incident reporting
  • Secure Systems : Apply 110 NIST 800-171 controls for non-federal IT
  • Audit Regularly : Check for compliance to avoid fines or lost contracts

"Safeguarding CUI is a collective responsibility... Without a structured approach, organizations risk data breaches."

TL;DR : Everyone touching CUI—from DoD leaders to contractors—is responsible, guided by NARA and NIST rules for national security.

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