What does unauthorized disclosure involve?

Unauthorized disclosure involves the transfer of classified information to unauthorized recipients. This means that sensitive or classified data is shared with individuals who do not have the necessary clearance or need-to-know basis to access that information. Such breaches can compromise national security, violate regulations, and lead to serious consequences for both individuals and organizations involved.

When classified information is disclosed to unauthorized individuals, it poses a risk because those individuals may not have the training or protocols in place to handle the information securely. This act undermines the efforts of security measures aimed at protecting classified information, which is critical for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of national defense and intelligence operations.

In contrast to the other choices, which either describe permissible actions or are related to internal security processes, the correct option highlights the specific concern of sharing sensitive data with individuals lacking proper authorization, which is a fundamental breach of information security protocols within the Department of Defense.