What characterizes a PL-3 Resource?

A PL-3 resource is characterized by the potential for mission degradation to the war-fighting capability. This classification indicates that if the resource is compromised or lost, it could negatively impact the overall effectiveness of military operations, which is crucial in maintaining operational readiness and effectiveness in a conflict scenario. PL-3 resources are not at the highest level of risk but still require significant protection and measures to prevent unauthorized access or damage because their loss could impair mission success and degrade the unit's ability to perform required tasks.

This contrasts with other classifications; for instance, catastrophic consequences typically pertain to a higher priority level of resource (such as PL-1), which would lead to severe impacts on national security. Consequently, levels indicating minor damage or average operational resources do not align with the potential implications of compromising a PL-3 resource, which is why they are less relevant to this specific classification.