Every year, the Information Security Oversight Office reports to the President the estimated costs of securing the nation's classified information. Expenditures can include anything from salaries and security clearances for personnel accessing the sensitive documents to computer equipment and training programs for government employees. In 2011, that total cost was nearly $11.4 billion—more than double the budget from just ten years ago.
Some argue that in today's digital era, the leaking of private documents is increasingly easy, so the program warrants greater protection. Others believe the government is classifying too much information—some of it unnecessarily shrouded. Regardless, there's no denying that the cost of keeping government secrets is ballooning, and taxpayers are footing the bill.

















Image artifacts (diffraction spikes and vertical streaks) appearing in a CCD image of a major solar flare due to the excess incident radiation

Ladder leads out of darkness.Photo credit
Woman's reflection in shadow.Photo credit
Young woman frazzled.Photo credit 
A woman looks out on the waterCanva
A couple sits in uncomfortable silenceCanva
Gif of woman saying "I won't be bound to any man." via
Woman working late at nightCanva
Gif of woman saying "Happy. Independent. Feminine." via 
Yonaguni Monument, as seen from the south of the formation. 
