Information security ensures that sensitive information is disclosed only to those who have what?

The principle of "need to know" is fundamental to information security, particularly in government and military operations. It emphasizes that access to sensitive information is granted strictly based on whether an individual requires that information to perform their job duties effectively. This principle helps to safeguard data by limiting access only to those individuals who need it for their role, minimizing the risk of unauthorized disclosures or breaches.

In this context, while formal authorization, employee identification, and management approval are important components of information access control, they are not as specifically aligned with the essential idea of restricting access to sensitive data based on necessity. "Need to know" encapsulates the core concept of operational security, as it directly addresses the basis for granting access to information rather than just administrative or approval processes. This ensures that sensitive information is protected and only shared with individuals who have a legitimate requirement to access it for their work.