The Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) was created to facilitate greater sharing of information. TLP is designed to improve the flow of information between individuals, organizations, or communities in a controlled and trusted way.
TLP is a set of designations used to ensure that sensitive information is shared with the appropriate audience. It employs four colors to indicate expected sharing boundaries to be applied by the recipient(s) - CLEAR, GREEN, AMBER, and RED.
The source is responsible for ensuring that recipients of TLP information understand and can follow TLP sharing guidance.
More information on TLP and how to use it is available at https://www.first.org/tlp/
TLP:CLEAR
No sharing restrictions
Recipients can spread this to the world, there is no limit on disclosure. Sources may use TLP:CLEAR when information carries minimal or no foreseeable risk of misuse, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures for public release. Subject to standard copyright rules, TLP:CLEAR information may be shared without restriction.
TLP:GREEN
Limited sharing, restricted to recipients and their community.
Limited disclosure, recipients can spread this within their community. Sources may use TLP:GREEN when information is useful to increase awareness within their wider community. Recipients may share TLP:GREEN information with peers and partner organizations within their community, but not via publicly accessible channels. TLP:GREEN information may not be shared outside of the community. Note: when “community” is not defined, assume the cybersecurity/defense community.
TLP:AMBER
Limited sharing, restricted to recipients’ organizations and their clients on a need-to-know basis.
Limited disclosure, recipients can only spread this on a need-to-know basis within their organization and its clients.
TLP:AMBER+STRICT
Limited sharing, restricted to recipients’ organizations on a need-to-know basis.
Limited disclosure, restricts sharing to the organization only. Sources may use TLP:AMBER when information requires support to be effectively acted upon, yet carries risk to privacy, reputation, or operations if shared outside of the organizations involved. Recipients may share TLP:AMBER information with members of their own organization and its clients, but only on a need-to-know basis to protect their organization and its clients and prevent further harm.
Note: if the source wants to restrict sharing to the organization only, they must specify TLP:AMBER+STRICT.
TLP:RED
Restricted to individual recipients only, no further sharing.
For the eyes and ears of individual recipients only, no further disclosure. Sources may use TLP:RED when information cannot be effectively acted upon without significant risk for the privacy, reputation, or operations of the organizations involved. Recipients may therefore not share TLP:RED information with anyone else. In the context of a meeting, for example, TLP:RED information is limited to those present at the meeting.
The Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) is developed and maintained by the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and its community. More information on TLP is available at https://www.first.org/tlp/