What type of material should be prioritized during the destruction of classified materials?

The prioritization of material destruction is critical in maintaining national security, especially when it comes to classified information. Top secret material is the highest classification level and is associated with information that, if disclosed, could cause "exceptionally grave damage" to national security. Because of the severe implications that can arise from the unauthorized release of this information, it is vital that top secret materials are destroyed first and most thoroughly.

In handling classified materials, a tiered approach is necessary to ensure that the most sensitive information receives the utmost protection. While all classified documents require safe handling and destruction, top secret materials necessitate immediate attention due to their potential consequences, thus highlighting the importance of prioritizing their destruction over lower classifications, such as confidential materials and general classified documents.