The level of damage caused by the unauthorized disclosure of classified information depends on the classification level of the information and the risks associated with its disclosure. The following are the classification levels and the level of damage that could be caused by their unauthorized disclosure:

• Confidential: The unauthorized disclosure of confidential information could reasonably be expected to cause damage to national security.

• Secret: The unauthorized disclosure of secret information could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to national security.

• Top Secret: The unauthorized disclosure of top secret information could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.

Unauthorized disclosure of classified information due to improper safeguarding procedures, although usually unintentional, can be just as damaging to national security as intentional unauthorized disclosures. The damage caused by unauthorized disclosure includes the undermining of ongoing and planned U.S. operations, damage to intelligence community sources and methods, and detrimental effects on international alliances and foreign policy. The unauthorized disclosure of foreign government information, the identity of a confidential foreign source, or intelligence sources or methods is presumed to cause damage to national security.