Which statement best differentiates public information from non-public information in inquiries?

• A. Public information can be disclosed to anyone; non-public requires authorization or is restricted.
• B. Public information requires authorization; non-public can be shared freely.
• C. All information is public unless it contains PII.
• D. Non-public information can be shared with colleagues.

Answer: (A)

Access to information is controlled by how it’s classified: public information is meant for broad disclosure and can be shared with anyone without special permission, while non-public information is restricted and requires explicit authorization or a need-to-know basis to protect privacy and confidentiality. This distinction is exactly what makes the statement correct: public information can be disclosed to anyone, and non-public information requires authorization or is restricted.

The other options don’t fit because they flip or oversimplify the rules. Public information isn’t something that always needs permission, and non-public information isn’t freely shareable. Treating all information as public unless it contains PII ignores other sensitive data that must be protected, and saying non-public information can be shared with colleagues without authorization overlooks the safeguards and policies that govern access.