How should classified documents be disposed of?

The appropriate method for disposing of classified documents is through secure shredding or destruction methods. This approach ensures that the sensitive information contained in these documents is completely destroyed and cannot be reconstructed or retrieved by unauthorized individuals. Secure shredding uses specialized equipment to cut documents into tiny pieces, rendering the information unreadable and safeguarding national security and protecting sensitive organizational information.

Other methods listed, such as recycling or burning in an open space, do not provide the same level of security and could potentially expose classified material to interception or unauthorized access. Leaving documents in a secure drawer does not qualify as disposal; it merely postpones the necessary action and could lead to a security breach if the documents are accessed by someone without the appropriate authority. Therefore, secure shredding or destruction methods are the only acceptable practices for the proper disposal of classified documents.