When sending an email with a classified attachment, how should the email be marked?

When sending an email with a classified attachment, marking the email like any transmittal document is essential for maintaining information security and proper handling of classified materials. This approach aligns with protocols designed to ensure that the classification level of the entire email is communicated clearly to the recipient. This is significant because the email itself can contain context, instructions, or other information that may help determine how to handle the classified attachment appropriately.

Classified attachments carry specific handling instructions based on their classification levels. Marking the whole email as a transmittal document ensures that anyone who receives the email is aware that it contains sensitive information that requires careful consideration and protection, regardless of whether the body of the email contains classified content or not. Therefore, both the attachment and the transmission method are equally important for ensuring the secure management of classified information.