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Mode of Operation

nouncandidate·updated May 9, 2026

Description of the conditions under which an information system operates based on the sensitivity of information processed and the clearance levels, formal access approvals, and need-to-know of its users. Four modes of operation are authorized for processing or transmitting information: dedicated mode, system high mode, compartmented/partitioned mode, and multilevel mode.

Framework senses

NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 22 sensesview framework →
§1
An algorithm for the cryptographic transformation of data that features a symmetric key block cipher algorithm.
§2 · sense_2_pending_review
Description of the conditions under which an information system operates based on the sensitivity of information processed and the clearance levels, formal access approvals, and need-to-know of its users. Four modes of operation are authorized for processing or transmitting information: dedicated mode, system high mode, compartmented/partitioned mode, and multilevel mode.
CNSSI-4009 (Glossary of Information Assurance Terms)1 senseview framework →
§1
Description of the conditions under which an information system operates based on the sensitivity of information processed and the clearance levels, formal access approvals, and need-to-know of its users. Four modes of operation are authorized for processing or transmitting information: dedicated mode, system high mode, compartmented/partitioned mode, and multilevel mode.
NIST SP 800-38C1 senseview framework →
§1
An algorithm for the cryptographic transformation of data that features a symmetric key block cipher algorithm.