What term denotes the determination that official information requires protection against unauthorized disclosure, and designates such protection?

• A. Classification
• B. Access Control
• C. Clearance
• D. Encryption

Answer: (A)

The main idea is labeling information with its sensitivity and the protection it requires. Classification is the process of deciding that official information needs protection against unauthorized disclosure and then marking it with a level or category that dictates how it must be handled, stored, and transmitted. This designation guides who may access it and how it should be protected. Encryption is a protective method to hide content, but it’s the mechanism, not the labeling of the information. Access control enforces access based on identity and privileges, and clearance concerns a person’s authorization level, not how the data itself is designated for protection.