What are the categories of classified information under U.S. law?

The categories of classified information under U.S. law are Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. This classification system aligns with the principles of protecting national security by categorizing information based on the level of damage its unauthorized disclosure could cause to national security.

Confidential is the lowest tier of classification and is applied to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed. Secret indicates a higher level of sensitivity, where unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage. Top Secret is reserved for information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if revealed.

While the other options include terms like Sensitive and Restricted, these do not fit within the established classifications of classified information as defined by U.S. law. Sensitive information may require protection but does not automatically fall under the standard categories of Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret. Understanding these classifications helps ensure that individuals handling such information properly adhere to security regulations and protocols.