Security Clearances

A security clearance is official permission to see classified information, granted after the government checks a person's background and judges whether they can be trusted with secrets. It applies to military members, civilian employees, contractors, and White House staff. Investigators, security offices, and the agency that sponsors the job all have a role in deciding and in reviewing a clearance later.

People usually bring questions about how the investigation works, what raises concerns during a review, and what duties come with holding a clearance, such as reporting foreign contacts and protecting sensitive material. Others ask how clearance levels differ and who in government holds the highest access.