How should CUI be marked on hard copy documents?

• A. Top and bottom markings with 'CUI' and any category/handling information.
• B. A simple 'CUI' stamp on the cover page.
• C. Only a header with 'CUI' at the top.
• D. No marking required.

Answer: (A)

Hard-copy CUI needs a clear, persistent banner across the document to signal its sensitivity and how it should be handled. The best practice is to place the CUI designation on both the top and bottom of every page, along with any category or handling information. This guarantees the marking is visible no matter how the page is viewed, copied, or separated from the rest of the document, and it communicates the specific handling rules and who may access the information. Including the category or handling details helps recipients understand safeguards, distribution limits, and proper storage or destruction requirements. A mark on just the cover page or a header on the top only could be missed or obscured and wouldn’t consistently communicate the necessary restrictions.