Which action concerning records must be authorized in MILPDS?

The correct answer focuses on the importance of the integrity and security of personnel records within the Military Personnel Data System (MILPDS). Modification of records requires authorization because altering existing data can have significant implications for personnel management, including service member evaluations, promotions, and assignments. This helps ensure that only authorized personnel can make changes, thereby protecting against unauthorized alterations that could compromise the accuracy of the records.

In contrast, creating new records, running reports, and accessing public records do not typically require the same level of authorization as modifying existing records. Creating records may involve established procedures and can often be automated or standardized, while running reports usually pertains to data analysis and does not inherently change the data itself. Accessing public records is generally allowable under protocols that facilitate transparency, and does not involve modification or sensitive changes to individual records. Thus, the necessity for authorization is critical primarily in the context of modifying records to uphold data integrity and security within MILPDS.