Under EO 13526, what must the OCA identify about the potential impact of unauthorized disclosure?

Under EO 13526, what must the OCA identify about the potential impact of unauthorized disclosure?

• A. The damage to national security that could reasonably be expected.
• B. The political implications abroad
• C. Public interest in disclosure
• D. The economic impact

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that classification decisions are based on the potential harm to national security if the information is disclosed without authorization. The Original Classification Authority must identify the damage to national security that could reasonably be expected from such disclosure. This assessment determines the appropriate classification level (Top Secret, Secret, or Confidential) and is focused on national security impact, not on political implications abroad, public interest, or economic effects.

The key idea is that classification decisions are based on the potential harm to national security if the information is disclosed without authorization. The Original Classification Authority must identify the damage to national security that could reasonably be expected from such disclosure. This assessment determines the appropriate classification level (Top Secret, Secret, or Confidential) and is focused on national security impact, not on political implications abroad, public interest, or economic effects.