What is considered a high-security clearance level?

The designation of "Top Secret" represents the highest level of security clearance within the U.S. government. This level of clearance is granted to individuals who require access to information that, if disclosed, could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. The stringent vetting process for individuals seeking Top Secret clearance involves extensive background investigations and personal interviews, ensuring that only those who meet the highest standards of trustworthiness and reliability are given access to such sensitive information.

In contrast, Confidential and Restricted clearances offer lower levels of access and entail different consequences if the information is compromised. A Public designation does not represent a clearance level relevant to security access but rather indicates unclassified information available to everyone. Thus, Top Secret stands out as the appropriate choice for indicating a high-security clearance level.