Which document establishes the legal authority for officials within the Executive Branch to designate classified national security information?

• A. Executive Order (E.O.) 13526
• B. National Security Act
• C. National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual
• D. Export Administration Regulations

Answer: (A)

Classification authority in the Executive Branch comes from an Executive Order that creates the legal framework for designating information as national security classified. Executive Order 13526 is the one that specifically authorizes officials to classify and determine the level of protection for information, laying out the criteria for classification, the three levels (Top Secret, Secret, Confidential), and the processes for safeguarding, marking, review, and declassification. It assigns this authority to the heads of agencies and other officials they designate, ensuring that only appropriately authorized personnel can designate information as classified and that there are mechanisms to review and eventually declassify when appropriate. The other documents don’t establish this broad, standing authority: the National Security Act outlines organizational structure and responsibilities, the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual governs handling of classified information by contractors, and the Export Administration Regulations deal with export controls.