Which classification level requires the highest degree of protection?

The classification level that requires the highest degree of protection is Top Secret. This classification is applied to information that, if disclosed without authorization, could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. The stringent controls necessary to protect Top Secret information reflect its sensitivity and the serious implications of unauthorized access. Only individuals with the appropriate clearance and a need to know can access Top Secret information, ensuring that it is safeguarded in a manner consistent with its critical nature to national security. In contrast, the other classification levels—Confidential and Secret—represent lower levels of sensitivity and, therefore, require less stringent protective measures. Unclassified information does not require any form of protection, as its unauthorized disclosure is not expected to harm national security.