Deciphering CUI: What is Controlled Unclassified Information? | UpGuard

This article explains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), how it is designated and marked, the federal CUI program’s governance and requirements (including DoD Instruction 5200.48 and the CUI Registry), and how the DoD’s CMMC framework guides contractors in safeguarding CUI. It outlines CMMC maturity levels, emphasizes the need for third‑party risk management and attack surface management aligned to NIST SP 800-171, and promotes UpGuard’s Vendor Risk and Breach Risk solutions to help organizations meet compliance and improve cyber hygiene.