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It’s important to understand exactly who and what determine clearance statuses in the United States. The short answer is the Bureau of Human Resources. While those working in the Department of State are the ones who primarily need security clearances, it’s the Bureau of Human Resources that assigns them. How do they do this? CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, TOP SECRET

F irst, an investigation of the applicant’s background is conducted by the Bu- reau of Human Resources . As you might imagine, this is not your typical background check. It encompasses far more than crimi- nal history and ultimately determines if the person is trustworthy with confidential and sensitive materials, holds no relationships that would put the government in jeopardy and is loyal beyond any doubt to the U.S. As for the level of clearance that’s as- signed, the person’s job function determines the corresponding access they will be given. It’s also important to note that there are three levels of security clearance in the U.S: Confidential, Secret and Top Secret. Each level provides personnel with the minimum amount of information they need to fulfill This is the lowest tier of security clearance. It of- fers those with this clearance the ability to han- dle sensitive information and materials that may contain national security information, though they must be reinvestigated every 15 years. • SECRET As the middle tier of security clearances, the Se- cret level allows people to deal with information that is vital to U.S. national security. As a result, those who’ve been granted access must undergo another background check every 10 years. • TOP SECRET (TS) As the highest level of security clearance, Top Secret access requires people to be able to handle Sensitive Compartmented their job responsibilities: • CONFIDENTIAL

Information (SCI), which is sometimes considered its own security level. To obtain this level of clearance, individuals must go through a Single Scope Background Inves- tigation (SSBI). TS clearance can take up to 18 months to receive. They must undergo another check every five years. These three levels of security clear- ances are the standard within government jobs. However, there are additional levels and clearances that people handling highly specialized and unique information can gain. For example, government professionals working with NATO countries can earn a NATO Secret (NS) clearance level, allowing them to protect sensitive information con- cerning the interests of NATO. Each clearance level becomes more ex- tensive, requiring more advanced background checks, and gives the person more responsi- bility within their role. Having a better un- derstanding of the U.S. clearance levels can lend a stronger comprehension of the roles in national security and how they operate. References Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from state.gov/m/ds/ clearances/c10977.htm#1 Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from state.gov/m/ds/ clearances/c10978.htm Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from state.gov/m/ds/ clearances/c10977.htm#1 Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from gogovernment.org/ how_to_apply/next_steps/security_clearance.php Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from gogovernment.org/ how_to_apply/next_steps/security_clearance.php Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from news.clearancejobs. com/2015/02/06/security-clearance-levels-access/ Retrieved on April 25, 2017, from news.clearancejobs. com/2015/02/06/security-clearance-levels-access/

If you found this interesting, consider earning a graduate degree in cybersecurity or homeland security. The George Washington University offers 100 percent online programs in each. Learn more by calling 844.302.1429 or visiting security.online.gwu.edu/fbinaa .

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