Downgraded or sanitized copies of covered analytic products should contain sourcing information.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only for open sources
• D. Not required for classification

Answer: (B)

Sourcing information should accompany downgraded or sanitized copies of covered analytic products because preserving provenance lets authorized readers judge the basis and reliability of the conclusions without revealing sensitive details. Even when redacting identifiers or specific source materials, you should indicate the types of sources used (for example, open sources, human intelligence, signals intelligence), how many sources supported a finding, and the level of corroboration or confidence tied to those sources. This maintains transparency, aids assessment and potential follow-up within allowed disclosures, and helps ensure analysts can trace the conclusions back to their origins if needed. It’s not limited to open sources, and the sourcing context should be presented at an appropriate, non-revealing level for the dissemination category.