Not all security clearances are created equally, although the criteria used to grant security clearances is the same. There are three basic levels of security clearance: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Each clearance level is granted based on the sensitivity of the position and the need-to-know. If your position only requires access to basic systems or facilities, you may only need a Confidential clearance. If your position requires access to highly sensitive systems and facilities, you will need to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.
A common misconception is that the criteria are different for obtaining a Secret and Top Secret clearance. Many people assume that because obtaining a Top Secret clearance costs more money for the government, and takes longer, that the process is harder. But that’s actually not the case. The adjudicative criteria used to issue a clearance of any level are identical.
An individual may be granted a Secret clearance but then be unable to obtain a Top Secret security clearance only if there is information uncovered in the more rigorous Top Secret clearance that wasn’t revealed in the largely automated Public Trust or Secret clearance investigation. For instance, a personal reference may provide information about an unreported criminal activity that hadn’t resulted in a police record. This scenario, while possible, is unlikely, however.
The most common reason that a Secret clearance is granted and then a Top Secret clearance is denied is because an applicant lied about something on the Secret clearance application, and then either fessed up when they applied for a Top Secret security clearance, or that information was revealed in the course of an investigation, interview, or polygraph examination.
The most important thing to remember is to be honest at every stage of the security clearance investigation. You may be able to hide negative information at the level of a Confidential or Secret clearance, but it will likely be uncovered in the scope of a Top Secret security clearance. All security clearance applicants should review the adjudicative criteria before they apply. Most issues can be mitigated by applying the whole person concept, but applicants will need to provide mitigating evidence or statements with their security clearance application.
FAQs
Confidential clearances are reinvestigated every 15 years. Secret: One level up from “confidential,” a Secret clearance requires reinvestigation every 10 years. The unauthorized disclosure of information at this level could cause serious damage to national security. Top Secret: The highest rung of the clearance ladder.
What are the three levels of security clearance? ›
The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret.
What is security clearance level 3 Confidential? ›
Confidential clearance: This type of security clearance is the least restrictive. It provides access to information that can cause damage to national security if it is disclosed without authorization. It must be reinvestigated for continued eligibility every 15 years.
Is Q clearance higher than Top Secret? ›
A: Under the reciprocity guidelines, a Q is the equivalent of a Top Secret. The investigation required for a Q is the same as the one required for a Top Secret, and with a Q an individual can be given access to Top Secret National Security Information if his or her duties require it.
What is a level 5 security clearance? ›
Level 5 security clearances are given to the highest-ranking administrative personnel within the Foundation and grant effectively unlimited access to all strategic and otherwise sensitive data. Level 5 security clearances are typically only granted to O5 Council members and selected staff.
Is SCI higher than Top Secret? ›
Information "above Top Secret," a phrase used by the media, means either Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Program (SAP). It is not truly "above" Top Secret, since there is no clearance higher than Top Secret.
What is the hardest security clearance to get? ›
National Security clearances range from confidential, which is the easiest to attain, to Secret, Top Secret, and SCI, which is the most challenging. Public Trust clearances are either low, moderate, or high risk, and Non-sensitive are the least extensive, requiring only criminal background and credit checks.
What is Confidential vs secret vs Top Secret? ›
13526 specifies that information whose release would cause "exceptionally grave damage to the national security" is classified TOP SECRET; information whose release would cause "serious damage" is classified SECRET; CONFIDENTIAL is the lowest category of classified information currently in use.
What disqualifies you from getting a Top Secret clearance? ›
What can disqualify you?
- You are not a U.S. citizen.
- You were dishonorably discharged from the military.
- You are currently involved in illegal drug use.
- You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.
- You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.
To access classified information, individuals must first prove they're willing and able to keep such information secret. Those who have shown that they can keep sensitive information secure may be given a top secret or sensitive compartmented information (TS/SCI) clearance.
How does the background investigation process work? Due to the sensitive nature of our mission, all FBI positions require a Top Secret Clearance; a special agent career requires a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance.
What is the Yankee White security clearance? ›
Yankee White is an administrative nickname for a background check undertaken in the United States of America for Department of Defense personnel and contractor employees working with the president and vice president.
What is level 7 clearance? ›
Level 6 – 7 (Top Secret)
A Top Secret, or “TS”, clearance, is often given as the result of a Single Scope Background Investigation, or SSBI. Top Secret clearances, in general, afford one access to data that affects national security, counter-terrorism/counter-intelligence, or other highly sensitive data.
What is TSA security clearance level? ›
Differences in Levels of Security Access
| Agency | Common Clearance Levels | Special Requirements |
|---|
| TSA | Public Trust, Secret | Extensive background checks |
| FBI | Secret, Top Secret | Polygraph, field investigations |
| DHS | Public Trust, Secret, Top Secret | Financial history scrutiny |
| CIA | Top Secret, SCI | Interviews, polygraph, higher scrutiny |
1 more rowThe three levels, in ascending order of sensitivity are: Confidential (information that could cause damage to national security); Secret (information that could cause serious damage to national security), and Top Secret (information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security).
How do I know my clearance level? ›
You can check your security clearance status using several online portals. The Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS) and the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) are primary portals. By accessing JPAS or DISS, you will see your current status, clearance level, and expiration date.
What are the three levels of security? ›
The security features governing the security of an identity can be divided into three levels of security: Level 1 Security (L1S) (Overt), Level 2 Security (L2S) (Covert) and Level 3 Security (L3S) (Forensic).
What is my highest level of security clearance? ›
How many types or levels of security clearance are there? There are three levels of security clearance, with the highest level being Top Secret. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is the final. 6.
What is the difference between TS and SCI? ›
Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI): TS/SCI is a subset of Top Secret clearance and is required for access to highly sensitive information known as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). SCI is classified information concerning intelligence sources, methods, and other sensitive matters.
