You cannot release classified information except to individuals with?

The requirement to release classified information is rooted in maintaining national security and ensuring that sensitive information is shared responsibly. The correct response highlights that not only must individuals possess the proper security clearance, but they also must have a legitimate need to know the information.

This two-pronged approach ensures that classified information is only disclosed to those who are both authorized to access it (through their security clearance) and who have a specific purpose for needing that information in the execution of their duties. This principle protects sensitive data from being accessed by individuals who may have a security clearance but have no relevance or necessity for the information at hand.

While other options may suggest forms of authorization, they do not encompass the necessity of the need to know, which is a critical component of handling classified information correctly.