In SCI notation, what does the bracketed segment indicate?

• A. The date of authorization
• B. The responsible agency
• C. The compartment code
• D. The codeword for classification

Answer: (C)

In SCI notation, the bracketed segment identifies the compartment code. That small set of partitions after the classification level shows the specific SCI compartments or access qualifiers that apply to the information. Access isn’t determined by the overall clearance alone—you must also be cleared for the compartments listed and have a need to know for those compartments. The bracketed segment, therefore, pins down exactly which sensitive subcategories you may access, beyond simply being “top secret” or whatever the base level is.

This isn’t about the date of authorization, the agency that issued the information, or a separate classification codeword. Those marks are handled elsewhere.