The level of security clearance is based on the level of information needed for individuals to perform their jobs. “Information” is really a broad term because it could mean anything from the contents of an intelligence report to plans for a special, high-security building, access to a piece of advanced equipment, techniques to gather intelligence, knowledge of sensitive operations, and much more. There is also a category of information called “For Official Use Only” (FOUO), which should not be released to the public. For example, this could refer to the printed daily schedule for a military base or a ship – something that should not be given to the public, but is not technically classified.
There are many types of security clearances. Some of the most common include those listed below:
| Secret | Top Secret | Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) | |
| What it is | Provides access to information or material that may cause “serious damage” to national security if it were released without authorization. | Provides access to information or material that may cause “exceptionally grave damage” to national security if it was released without authorization. Those who obtain a Top Secret Clearance have duties that demand the highest degree of public trust. | Provides access to highly sensitive information that could cause “grave damage” and/or compromise technologies, plans or procedures vital to national security if released without authorization. |
| Example | This information could refer to plans to conduct a tactical combat operation. The plans might cover only a single operation in a limited area for a very limited period of time. However, premature disclosure of this information could hurt the success of the operation. | Unauthorized release of top-secret information could include compromising vital national defense plans, complex cryptology and communications intelligence systems; revealing sensitive intelligence operations; and disclosing scientific or technological developments vital to national security. | An NSA or CIA program. |
| Process to Obtain Clearance | To obtain a Secret Clearance, an individual must pass a “National Agency Check with Local Agency Checks and Credit Check” (NACLC), which looks back at the last five years of your life. | An investigation for a Top Secret Clearance is more thorough and reviews the last seven to 10 years of your life. The Top Secret Clearance requires a Single Scope Background Information (SSBI), which involves interviews with friends and family. | Top Secret/SCI clearance requires the same investigation process as a Top Secret Clearance, requiring a Single Scope Background Information (SSBI) that looks back at your last seven to 10 years. |
| Renewal Timeline | A Secret Clearance must be renewed every 10 years. | The Top Secret Clearance must be renewed every five years. | Top Secret/SCI must be renewed every five years. |
| 2018 COMPENSATION | 2020 COMPENSATION | % CHANGE FROM 2018 | |
| Secret | $84,313 | $87,388 | 4% |
| Top Secret | $108,929 | $107,192 | -2% |
| Top Secret/SCI | $103,112 | $111,371 | 8% |
| Intel | $119,653 | $122,463 | 2% |
| Public Trust | $83,462 | $85,346 | 2% |
| Other Government Agency | $98,672 | $97,054 | -2% |
