What is meant by the term declassification?

Declassification refers to the formal process of reducing or removing the security classification assigned to certain pieces of information. This process is important in the context of information security and government data management because it allows for the reevaluation of how sensitive a piece of information is as it relates to the current environment, legal standards, and operational needs.

When information is declassified, it is determined that the risks associated with keeping that information classified are no longer present, or that the information can be made available to a wider audience without compromising security interests. This process often involves adhering to specific protocols, such as reviews and approvals, ensuring that sensitive data does not remain classified unnecessarily.

The other options are related but do not accurately represent the concept of declassification. Public access indicates a move to make information universally available rather than simply reducing its classification level. Stricter access controls involve increasing security measures rather than reducing a classification, and creating new classifications based on sensitivity refers to a different process aimed at better organizing information rather than altering an existing classification status.