What are the three levels of security clearance?

The three levels of security clearance in the United States government are Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Each level corresponds to a varying degree of sensitivity of the information to which an individual is granted access.

• Confidential clearance allows access to information that could potentially cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.

• Secret clearance provides access to information that could cause serious damage to national security if disclosed.

• Top Secret clearance is the highest level, granting access to information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if disclosed.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for personnel security as the level of clearance dictates the types of information an individual can access and the responsibilities that come with that access. This system is designed to protect national interests and ensure that sensitive information is available only to those who have been thoroughly vetted and deemed trustworthy.