Josh Manuel
2026-01-28T17:58:16-06:00

How to Mark CUI Updated March 2026

How to Properly Identify, Label, and Protect Controlled Unclassified Information

Physical Marking: Best Practices by Media Type

Executive Summary

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) marking is one of the most misunderstood and under-implemented components of CMMC compliance. While organizations often invest heavily in cybersecurity, they frequently overlook the physical identification and marking of CUI — creating audit risk, operational confusion, and security gaps.

This CUI Marking Guide outlines the requirements, best practices, and implementation steps necessary to properly identify and label Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) based on the real-world practices auditors and assessors expect to see. It is designed for defense contractors, manufacturers, engineers, and regulated organizations that handle sensitive government information and must meet the requirements of NIST SP 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, and CMMC. Inside, you’ll find straightforward guidance, real-world examples, and implementation best practices to help your organization establish consistent CUI marking standards, reduce audit risk, and strengthen both physical and cybersecurity compliance.

1. What Is CUI — And Why Marking Matters

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is information the U.S. Government has determined requires safeguarding or dissemination controls, but does not meet the criteria for classification.

CUI exists across:

Engineering drawings

Manufacturing travelers

Technical manuals

Specifications

Contracts

Emails

Reports

CAD files

Quality records

Test data

Export-controlled materials

Why marking matters:

CUI marking is foundational to compliance and security.

If information isn’t clearly identified as CUI, then:

Employees don’t know how to handle it

Security controls can’t be applied properly

Auditors can’t verify compliance

Cybersecurity protections become misaligned

Organizations fail CMMC assessments

You cannot protect what you cannot clearly identify.

2. What Regulations Require CUI Marking?

CUI marking is governed by:

32 CFR Part 2002 – CUI Program

NIST SP 800-171 – Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems

DFARS 252.204-7012

CMMC 2.0

Key Requirements:

Organizations must:

Identify CUI

Mark it clearly

Protect it physically and digitally

Control dissemination

Train staff on handling

Marking is the trigger point that activates all downstream safeguards.

3. What Must Be Marked as CUI?

CUI applies to far more than just documents.

Common CUI Examples:

Physical Media

Printed documents

Drawings

Blueprints

Manuals

Test reports

Manufacturing travelers

Quality inspection records

Physical Artifacts

Parts or items manufactured/modified to meet military / space technical specifications

Digital Media

Computers

Servers

Hard drives

USB drives

CDs/DVDs

Backup tapes

Electronic Information

Emails

Shared folders

Cloud storage

CAD files

ERP systems

Facilities & Workspaces

CUI work areas

Engineering labs

Manufacturing floors

Secure rooms

If it provides access to CUI, it must be treated as CUI media.

4. Core CUI Marking Requirements

At minimum, CUI must be clearly labeled with:

Required Markings:

“CUI” banner marking

CUI category (e.g., ITAR, Export Controlled, Privacy)

Placement Guidelines:

Top and bottom of each page (documents)

Exterior of folders

Visible placement on storage media

Entry points of controlled areas

Key Rule:

Markings must be:

Clear

Visible

Durable

Consistent

5. Physical Marking: Best Practices by Media Type

Documents & Paper Files

Header/footer “CUI” labels

File folder labels

Coversheets for easy and immediate identification of CUI

Best Practice: Use CUI coversheets anytime documents leave controlled spaces.

Recommended Marking Solutions:
CUI Document Labels, File Folder Labels, Coversheets.

Computers & Digital Media

Computer asset labels

USB / hard drive labels

Server cabinet signage

Best Practice: If a system stores, processes, or transmits CUI, it must be clearly labeled.

Recommended Marking Solutions:
Computer & Asset Labels, USB & Digital Media Labels, Equipment Signage.

Manufacturing & Engineering Environments

Drawing racks

Workstation signage

Controlled production area signs

Traveler document labeling

Best Practice: Mark zones, not just documents.

Recommended Marking Solutions:
Workstation Signs, Production Area Signage, Document & Traveler Labels.

Facilities & Rooms

Restricted area signage

Door labels

Access-controlled entry points

Best Practice: Anyone entering should instantly know CUI is present.

Recommended Marking Solutions:
Restricted Area Signs, Door & Entryway Labels, Facility Signage.

6. Common CUI Marking Mistakes (That Cause Audit Failures)

Marking only the cover page

Forgetting digital assets

Unlabeled engineering workstations

No signage in CUI work areas

Inconsistent labeling across departments

Employees unsure what qualifies as CUI

Many CMMC failures happen not due to cybersecurity — but poor identification and marking.

7. A Simple 5-Step CUI Marking Program

Here’s a practical roadmap companies can actually follow:

Step 1 — Identify CUI Flow

Map:

Where CUI enters

Where it’s created

Where it flows

Where it’s stored

Step 2 — Define Marking Standards

Standardize:

Label designs

Placement rules

Handling procedures

Step 3 — Deploy Physical Marking

Apply:

Labels

Signs

Coversheets

Facility signage

Step 4 — Train Employees

Ensure staff understands:

What is CUI

How to recognize it

How to mark it

How to protect it

Step 5 — Self-Audit Regularly

Quarterly checks:

Spot inspections

Workspace audits

Document reviews

8. CUI Marking Checklist (Quick Reference)

Documents labeled

Folders labeled

Digital media labeled

Computers labeled

CUI rooms signed

Manufacturing areas signed

Transport coversheets used

Staff trained

9. How CUI Supply Simplifies Compliance

CUI Supply provides ready-to-deploy physical compliance solutions:

CUI document labels

Digital media labels

Computer labels

Coversheets

Restricted area signage

Manufacturing workstation signage

Full compliance kits

Our goal: Make compliance simple, fast, and audit-ready.

10. Final Takeaway

CUI marking is not a paperwork exercise or a compliance formality.

It is the foundation of CMMC compliance, the trigger for cybersecurity and physical security controls, and the front line of defense for protecting national security information.

When CUI is clearly identified and consistently marked, organizations gain control over information flow, reduce risk exposure, simplify audits, and dramatically improve security posture across both physical and digital environments.

When CUI is poorly marked or inconsistently handled, even the strongest cybersecurity investments fail to deliver real protection. Data moves without guardrails. Employees guess. Auditors flag gaps. Risk multiplies.

Clear marking creates clarity. Clarity creates accountability. Accountability creates security.

Organizations that treat CUI marking as a strategic priority—not just a compliance task—position themselves to pass assessments faster, reduce operational friction, and build trust with prime contractors and government partners.

If it is not clearly marked, it is not protected.
And if it is not protected, it becomes a business, contractual, and national security risk.

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