If you are replying to an email that contains classified information, how should the banner of your unclassified response appear?

When responding to an email that contains classified information, it is essential to ensure that your reply clearly indicates its classification status. The correct approach is to mark your unclassified response with the banner "Unclassified." This designation is crucial because it communicates to all recipients that the content of your email does not contain any classified information and is safe for general distribution.

Using the term "Unclassified" helps maintain the integrity of information handling protocols, ensuring that those who receive the information understand it is not sensitive or subject to the restrictions placed on classified information. Proper marking is vital in preventing any potential mix-up or confusion regarding the nature of the information being shared, which can have significant implications for security and information management.

In contrast, using terms like "CONFIDENTIAL," "TOP SECRET," or "SECRET" would inaccurately imply that the content of the response is classified, which is inappropriate when the information is unclassified. This miscommunication can lead to security breaches and could undermine the protocol established for handling classified materials.