

Having obtained a certain level of security clearance does not mean that the clearance holder automatically has access to or is given access to information cleared for that clearance level. In most instances, an individual with Top Secret clearance undergoes a reinvestigation every five years. There are far fewer individuals with TS clearances than Secret clearances. TS clearances, in general, afford one access to data that affects national security, counterterrorism/counterintelligence, or other highly sensitive data. A TS clearance is often given as the result of a Single Scope Background Investigation, (SSBI). Top Secret is a more stringent clearance. It must be reinvestigated every five years. Top Secret (TS) This type of security clearance provides access to information that may cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.Investigative requirements for Department of Defense (DoD) clearances, which apply to most civilian contractor situations, are contained in the Personnel Security Program issuance known as DoD Regulation 5200.2-R, at part C3.4.2. It must be reinvestigated every 10 years.Ī secret clearance requires a NACLC and a Credit investigation it must also be re-investigated every 10 years. Secret This type of security clearance provides access to information that may cause serious damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.It must be reinvestigated every 15 years.Ī confidential clearance requires a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC).

Confidential This type of security clearance provides access to information that may cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.From least restrictive to most restrictive the classification levels are: Security clearances are structured in a hierarchical manner with each designation indicating the maximum level of classified information that may be accessed by the clearance holder. This clearance must be obtained to determine the applicant’s trustworthiness and reliability before granting them access to national security information. This includes individuals employed by private firms in the capacity of a contractor for the federal government. This ensures that all federal employees are “reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States.”Īdditionally, federal employment positions that include access to sensitive information require a security clearance. Of course, there are other types of security clearances issued by other governmental and non-governmental entities around the world, but as a practical matter, the scope of this discussion will be limited to that of clearances issued by agencies of the US federal government.Įveryone employed by the United States federal government undergoes a basic background investigation of their criminal and credit histories. Online master’s in information securityįor the purposes of this article, a security clearance is an official determination that an individual may access some level of classified information, as determined by an agency of the United States government.Computer science with cybersecurity emphasis.CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+).Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

CUT FINGERS SECURITY CLEARANCE PROFESSIONAL
