Marking Special Categories of Classified Information (IF105.16) Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary levels of classified information are defined by the degree of damage that unauthorized disclosure of that information could cause to national security. The three established levels are Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential.

Top Secret is the highest level, indicating that unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage. Secret is the middle level, where unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage, and Confidential is the lowest level, which could cause damage to national security if disclosed.

Restricted, on the other hand, is not recognized as a primary level of classified information under standard classification guidelines. Instead, it typically refers to a designation used for managing access to certain types of information that do not meet the criteria for national security classification but still require limited access.

Understanding these distinctions helps reinforce the structure and purpose of the classification system, allowing individuals to correctly identify and handle classified materials according to their designated levels.