Question

_________________ occurs in some circumstances when information that is individually unclassified, or classified at a lower level, may be classified, or classified at a higher level, only if the combined information reveals an additional association or relationship.

a) Aggregation
b) Compartmentalization
c) Derivative classification
d) Upgrading

Answer 1

Aggregation is the correct answer, referring to circumstances where individually unclassified or lower-level classified information may be classified at a higher level when combined, as it reveals additional associations not seen individually.

Step-by-step explanation:

The answer to the student’s question is a) Aggregation. Aggregation occurs in the context of information security and refers to the situation where individual pieces of information, each of which may be unclassified or classified at a lower level, might be classified at a higher level when combined. This is because the collective information can reveal an additional association or relationship that is not apparent when the items are viewed separately. Understanding the concept of aggregation is crucial in the field of security because it exemplifies a cause-and-effect relationship within data protection, showing why certain information might warrant a higher classification when combined.