What is an example of a "prohibited action" involving classified information?

The selection of discussing classified information in public areas where unauthorized personnel may overhear as an example of a prohibited action is correct because it presents a direct threat to the security of sensitive information. Conversations in public spaces increase the risk of unauthorized individuals obtaining knowledge that could compromise national security or lead to detrimental consequences.

In environments where classified information is handled, protecting this information goes beyond simply keeping it in secure locations; it also involves being vigilant about where and how information is communicated. Sharing sensitive details in a public forum or an area where individuals without clearance can listen poses significant risks, as those individuals could share or act on that information without authority.

Other choices, while they may involve poor practices regarding classified information, are not as broadly defined as public discussions. For instance, sharing classified information during private meetings and discussing inappropriately in public could sometimes occur under controlled conditions if appropriate security protocols are followed. Working on classified projects at home can certainly raise concerns, but there may be exceptions based on the home office's security measures and official approval. Storing classified documents in unlocked drawers is also a serious security violation, but the immediacy and potential for a broad audience in public discussions make such discourse particularly dangerous and easily exploited.