What is Covered Defense Information (CDI)?
Covered defense information is used to describe information that requires protection under DFARS Clause 252.204-7012. It is defined as unclassified controlled technical information (CTI) or other information as described in the CUI Registry, that requires safeguarding/dissemination controls AND IS EITHER marked or otherwise identified in the contract and provided to the contractor by DoD in support of performance of the contract; OR collected/developed/received/transmitted/used/stored by the contractor in performance of contract. DoD uses the term CDI almost interchangeably with CUI. In its final rule on the matter, DoD confirmed this. They stated the definitions they use are intended to be consistent with those of the National Archives’ definition of what constitutes CUI.
