What best describes proprietary information?

Proprietary information refers to any information that a business, organization, or entity considers to be confidential and vital to its operations, competitive edge, or overall success. This can include trade secrets, business plans, research and development data, customer lists, marketing strategies, and financial information. The key aspect is that proprietary information is specific to a particular enterprise, and its confidentiality provides the organization with economic advantages over competitors.

The other options, while they touch on aspects of sensitive information, do not capture the broader definition of proprietary information as effectively. For instance, private and classified information can belong to entities beyond just proprietary business considerations and often involves specific legal or regulatory classifications that may not apply to all proprietary data. Thus, the answer emphasizes that proprietary information encompasses a wide range of information that an organization considers important for its functions and interests.