Why would physical copies of classified documents need to be retained when high speed scanners can create digital copies that are much easier to hide?

Question

Why would physical copies of classified documents need to be retained when high speed scanners can create digital copies that are much easier to hide?

In: 1

Answer 1

Digital copies are much easier to duplicate, smuggle, and transmit. They’re much easier for a thief to hide from their proper owners. If your information is super sensitive, the best way to control who can access it is to prevent any digital copies from ever existing while physically controlling access to the physical document. We’re not trying to “hide” documents per se, we’re trying to control who gets to access them, which gets real complicated real fast with digital info. Physical documents with physical security is reliable in its simplicity.