SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114858  Protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Diplomacy, Protocol and Foreign Affairs Assist 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard has as its core purpose, qualifying learners who will be able to protect the confidentiality of mission activities and information. This includes explaining the concept of and the need for confidentiality and monitoring electronic mail. They will be able to implement the MISS and the Information Administration Policy of the DFA.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Explain the concept and necessity of confidentiality in diplomatic practice.
  • Protect DFA information according to MISS.
  • Implement the Information Administration Policy.
  • Know and apply the Disclosure of Official Information Act. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification are assumed to have completed a Level 4 qualification or RPL equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the concept and necessity of confidentiality in diplomatic practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of confidentiality is defined in context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need for confidentiality in diplomatic practice is explained in terms of security risks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Responsibility and accountability for information security is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of how to protect DFA information according to MISS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Information Administration Policy is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The Personnel Security Policy is explained and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The Physical Security of stored and/or electronic information is explained and applied. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Implement the Information Administration Policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Document security policies are reviewed and the application thereof discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Contingency plans are developed for implementation of the policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods to access, store and remove classified information are demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of handling and destroying secret documents are applied in accordance to policy. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Know and apply the Disclosure of Official Information Act. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of the procedures to deal with breaches of security is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    DFA communication security procedures are described and applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods of prioritising and classifying messages, documents and information sources are applied in simulated activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    DFA computer security procedures are demonstrated. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA's discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • MISS & Document security policy
  • Contingency plans
  • Access, storage and removal of classified information
  • Handling and destruction of secret documents.
  • Disclosure of Official Information Act & Breaches of security
  • Communication and Computer security
  • Priorities and classification of messages, documents and information sources. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in preventing breaches of security. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, evaluate, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to confidentiality and security. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively by managing communication security of documents, information and electronic equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Assessment Methods and Integrated Assessment:

    Ensure that assessment covers the specific outcomes, the critical cross-field outcomes and the essential embedded knowledge. Assessment activities should be appropriate to the context and tools may include self-assessment, peer assessment, formative and summative assessment. A range of assessment methods should be used, including direct observation, product sample, simulation, questioning (verbal or written) and testimony (portfolio collection of evidence).

    Integrated assessment: It may be more effective and efficient to assess a number of unit standards together thus reducing the number of assessment "events". Ensure that the commonalities that exist between a number of unit standards are captured in a way that makes sense for assessment.

    Supplementary Information:

    Activity & number of hours:
    Lectures: 10
    Experiential Learning: 20
    Self-directed learning: 10
    Total: 40 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49055   National Certificate: Foreign Economic Representation  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 
    Fundamental  48761   National Certificate: Mission Administration  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.