Which classification level should be assigned to information whose disclosure could cause damage to national security?

• A. Secret
• B. Confidential
• C. Unclassified
• D. Top Secret

Answer: (A)

Classification levels reflect the potential impact on national security if the information is disclosed. The higher the potential damage, the higher the classification.

If disclosure could cause damage to national security, the item is not unclassified. In this framework, the descriptor aligns with the Secret level, which covers information whose release could cause serious damage. Top Secret is reserved for information whose release could cause exceptionally grave damage, which is stronger than the scenario described. Confidential generally denotes a lower level of impact than Secret.

So, the information should be designated Secret because it implies a level of harm to national security that is more than minimal but not the most extreme category.