Public works posts FOIA-ready monthly road reports, but a supervisor marks every file Confidential, blocking routine public release. What risk does this primarily illustrate?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Locking the town bulletin board behind a vault door is not "more secure"—it just keeps citizens from reading what they are supposed to see. Over-classifying public reports burns staff time on needless controls and blocks lawful transparency. Classification should match actual sensitivity, not a one-size-fits-all Confidential stamp.
Full Explanation
Classification must reflect true impact of unauthorized disclosure, alteration, or loss. Over-classification drives unnecessary encryption, access restrictions, and handling costs while obstructing open-government obligations such as FOIA responses. Accurate labeling balances protection with operational and legal transparency requirements.