What is the highest form of security clearance?

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.

What are the levels of Top Secret clearance?

There are three national security clearance levels: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Work deemed Critical Sensitive requires a Top Secret clearance. Special Sensitive work requires access to Sensitive Compartmented Information and therefore a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.

What is a Top Secret Tier 5 clearance?

A Tier 5 investigation is required for a Top Secret clearance, for DOE Q access authorization, or to hold a critical sensitive position. It is also required for all levels of access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and some other Special Access Program (SAP) information.

What are the security clearance tiers?

There are three levels of security clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret.

Who has top secret security clearance?

Top Secret Clearances This type of clearance will most often be appropriate for law enforcement officers assigned to FBI Task Forces housed in FBI facilities. In addition to all the requirements at the Secret level, a background investigation, covering a 10-year time period, is required.

Is Sci a top secret clearance?

TS/SCI stands for Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information and while some may confused the SCI designation as an additional security clearance, it is not. … Not all who are vetted for Top Secret clearances are approved to handle or access Sensitive Compartmented Information.

What is Tier 3 security clearance?

T3 is the investigation required for positions designated as non-critical sensitive and/or requiring eligibility for L access or access to Confidential or Secret information.

What is Level 2 security clearance?

Security Clearance Level 2: Secret Secret security clearance holders have access to information that could cause serious damage to national security if released without authorization. You typically find holders of both Secret and Top-Secret clearances in agencies like the CIA or NSA.

How much is a Top Secret SCI clearance worth?

ClearanceJobs.com reports that the average total compensation for professionals with security clearances approximately is $90,000.

What is 5C clearance?

Moderate Risk (5/5C) A position whose work is technically reviewed by a higher authority at the High Risk level to ensure the integrity of the information or IT system.

Is T5 top secret?

T5 is for initial investigations of Top Secret clearance, T5R is for Reinvestigation. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is the lowest. There is also a more targeted system called SSBI.

What is Tier 4 security clearance?

What is a Tier 4 security clearance? A Tier 4 investigation is a high-risk public trust and a Tier 5 investigation is a Top Secret Security Clearance.

What is the highest level of military security clearance?

Top Secret The Federal Government gives selected personnel or companies a security clearance as a means of determining their eligibility for access to classified information or facilities. There are three levels of personnel clearance: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.

What is secret level security clearance?

Levels of Security Clearance A Secret clearance indicates that the type of confidential information covered would cause serious damage to national security if divulged. If an individual would be able to access classified information of the highest sensitivity, then a Top Secret clearance would be required.

Do all FBI agents have top secret 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.

Can anyone get a top secret clearance?

You must be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance. Many individuals are under the false impression they get to ‘keep’ their clearance after they separate from military service or leave a cleared job. It’s important to note that at any time, a clearance is under the purview of the government.

How hard is top secret clearance?

The process generally takes between four and eight months, but with the current Department of Defense backlog it can take more than a year to receive top secret clearance. … Top secret clearances must be renewed every five years, which contributes to the backlog as well.

What is the difference between TS and SCI?

A: A Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is reserved for employees (military, civilian and contractor) requiring a TOP SECRET security clearance and access to sensitive compartmented information (SCI). … SCI is the access granted after the investigation, hence the title ‘TS/SCI.

Does Sci require polygraph?

Some federal clearances for Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) and other Special Access Programs (SAP) require a polygraph screening examination in addition to a Single Scope Background Investigation. Generally polygraph exams are not used when only a collateral security clearance is needed.

What is the difference between SCI and SAP?

SCI stands for Sensitive Compartmented Information and SAP stands for Special Access Program. Security clearance levels come with different investigations and different challenges. As the name says some information is segregated into compartments and can only be accessed by people who are read on to the program.

What is T1 security clearance?

Tier 1 Investigation (T1) formerly National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) this is the basic and minimum investigation required on all new Federal employees and many contractors. … Those inquiries are sent to current and past employers, schools attended, references, and local law enforcement authorities.

What is a Level 4 security?

Level 4 security officers are the guards allowed to work as Personal Protection Officers. They perform exceptional protection details such as working at an event as VIP bodyguards and backstage security.

How do I get top secret clearance?

Article Details

1. Contact an Attorney for Legal Advice. …
2. Answer Security Clearance Forms Carefully. …
3. It is Important to be Honest. …
4. Gather Relevant Documents in Advance. …
5. Prepare for the Investigative Interview. …
6. Don’t React Defensively to Security Clearance Questions. …
7. Exercise Professionalism With the Investigator.

Does a TS SCI increase salary?

The highest levels of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area also reported that employees with top secret security clearance could earn up to 60% more than those without top secret clearance in certain jobs.

How much is a TS SCI clearance worth in salary?

A TS SCI Clearance in your area makes on average $118,057 per year, or $2,731 (2%) more than the national average annual salary of $115,326. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for TS SCI Clearance salaries.

How much is a TS SCI?

The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors. The government pays the cost of clearances for military personnel and civilian government employees.