What must someone submitting materials for prepublication review ensure first?

When submitting materials for prepublication review, it is essential to ensure that the content is unclassified. This is a critical initial step because the purpose of the prepublication review is to identify any classified information that might be inadvertently disclosed before publication. Unclassified materials are those that do not contain sensitive or classified information and therefore can be safely reviewed and shared without risk to national security.

The focus on unclassified content allows the reviewer to assess the material without navigating the complexities surrounding classified information, which may require additional clearance and handling procedures. The prepublication review process is designed to protect sensitive information while still enabling authors to share their insights and knowledge within the parameters of security protocols. This foundation of ensuring the document is unclassified is what enables a thorough and effective review process.