During Precautionary Destruction Priority, which items should be listed first?

The principle behind Precautionary Destruction Priority focuses on ensuring that the most critical information is protected first in situations where destruction is necessary. In this context, listing superseded materials at the top of the destruction priority list ensures that obsolete items that may contain sensitive information are eliminated before more current materials. These materials, while no longer relevant, can still pose a risk if they contain data that could be exploited by adversaries.

Putting superseded materials first emphasizes a proactive approach to safeguarding current operations and intelligence, as it limits exposure from outdated information that no longer needs to be retained. This prioritization reflects the understanding that while classified information must be handled carefully, the immediacy of risk associated with current classified materials generally takes precedence over materials that are not actively relevant to operations.