You cannot release classified information except to individuals with the:

You cannot release classified information except to individuals with the:

• A. Clearance only
• B. Proper security clearance and need to know
• C. No clearance required
• D. Security briefing

Answer: (B)

Access to classified information is controlled by two requirements: proper security clearance and need to know. The clearance shows you’re authorized to access material at the appropriate sensitivity level, while the need-to-know restriction ensures you only receive information that is essential for your specific duties. Both conditions must be met for a release to occur, so the correct rule is that information can be released only to individuals who have the proper clearance and a need to know. Think through the other options this way: having clearance alone isn’t enough because you also must have a legitimate need to know for your role. Requiring no clearance would violate security fundamentals. A security briefing is important for awareness and handling procedures, but it doesn’t authorize access by itself—you still need both clearance and need-to-know.

Access to classified information is controlled by two requirements: proper security clearance and need to know. The clearance shows you’re authorized to access material at the appropriate sensitivity level, while the need-to-know restriction ensures you only receive information that is essential for your specific duties. Both conditions must be met for a release to occur, so the correct rule is that information can be released only to individuals who have the proper clearance and a need to know.

Think through the other options this way: having clearance alone isn’t enough because you also must have a legitimate need to know for your role. Requiring no clearance would violate security fundamentals. A security briefing is important for awareness and handling procedures, but it doesn’t authorize access by itself—you still need both clearance and need-to-know.