What identifies the authority for the classification of information?

The classification authority block is the correct answer because it explicitly identifies the person or agency responsible for classifying the information and includes the legal citation that grants them the authority to do so. This block typically contains the name of the individual or office that classified the information, the position held, and a reference to the appropriate executive order or directive under which the classification is made. This information is crucial for accountability and traceability within the classification process, ensuring that individuals know who to contact regarding questions about the classified material or its classification status.

In contrast, the classification title serves to categorize the information (e.g., Confidential, Secret, Top Secret) but does not indicate the authority behind that classification. The type of information may describe its content or subject matter but lacks specifics on the authority responsible for the classification. The declassification date indicates when the information will no longer require protection but does not provide any insight into who classified it in the first place. Thus, the classification authority block is the definitive component for identifying classification authority.