What information do distribution statements include?

Distribution statements provide essential information regarding the dissemination of documents, particularly those containing sensitive or controlled information. One critical component of these statements is the referencing of the Department of Defense Controlling Office (DCO), which indicates the authority responsible for enforcing distribution rules.

The DCO helps users understand which organization has the power to grant access to the information, ensuring that it is shared only with authorized personnel according to established protocols. By identifying the DCO, individuals and organizations can determine the appropriate handling and distribution of the document based on its sensitivity level.

In addition to the DCO, distribution statements typically address the reason for restriction, which explains why certain information cannot be freely shared. They may also include details about document portions that have been sanitized—that is, edited or redacted to remove sensitive content—especially when the intent is to provide a certain level of access without compromising security.

Given this understanding, the inclusion of the DCO is a fundamental aspect of ensuring clarity in document control and providing guidance on appropriate access. The correct answer is thus pivotal in understanding the broader context of distribution statements and their role within security and information management practices.