What is the primary purpose of DoD Instruction 5200.48 regarding CUI within the DoD?

• A. To classify all information as top secret
• B. To define encryption standards for all DoD systems
• C. To establish policy and responsibilities for designation, safeguarding, marking, dissemination, decontrol, and destruction of CUI within DoD.
• D. To regulate personnel security clearances across DoD

Answer: (C)

DoD Instruction 5200.48 provides a unified policy framework for handling Controlled Unclassified Information within the DoD. It sets who designates CUI, how it must be safeguarded, how it should be marked, who can receive it and how it can be disseminated, when and how the CUI designation can be removed (decontrolled), and how it must be destroyed. This ensures consistent protection of sensitive but unclassified information across the department, so access is limited to authorized personnel and handling follows standardized procedures throughout creation, transmission, storage, and disposal.

The other choices don’t fit because they describe functions not covered by this instruction: classifying all information as top secret isn’t how CUI works (CUI is unclassified but protected); defining blanket encryption standards for all DoD systems is a separate security domain outside the core purpose of CUI designation, safeguarding, and dissemination; and regulating personnel security clearances is a different policy area unrelated to the designation and handling of CUI.