Does national security eligibility grant access to classified information?

National security eligibility does not automatically grant access to classified information. Rather, it indicates that an individual has met the basic requirements for a security clearance, which includes a background investigation and determination of trustworthiness and reliability. Access to classified information is granted based on the need-to-know principle, which considers the individual's specific role, responsibilities, and the nature of the classified information. Therefore, while an individual may be deemed eligible for national security, this does not equate to unrestricted access to all classified materials. Each request to access classified information must be evaluated based on the specific circumstances and the individual's assigned duties.