无忧传媒

If you鈥檝e ever been interested in , you鈥檝e likely encountered the phrase 鈥渟ecurity clearance required鈥� when browsing job opportunities. This is because many federal agencies require their employees to hold one, no matter the specific role.

But what exactly is a security clearance? If you don鈥檛 have one, how do you get one? If you have one, is it possible to 鈥渦p-clear鈥�?

We鈥檝e got the answers to these questions鈥攁nd more鈥攁bout security clearances. Whether you鈥檙e a new grad looking to break into consulting, a seasoned technologist looking to move from the private to the public sector, or simply considering one of our ; we聽explain all things security clearance below.聽

A security clearance is an official authorization from the federal government that says you鈥檙e qualified鈥攐r 鈥渃leared鈥濃�攖o handle sensitive or classified information. Federal agencies handle all sorts of sensitive data, which means they need their employees to be thoroughly vetted and trustworthy. For that reason, a security clearance is a must.

There are three security clearance levels, in order from simplest to most difficult to obtain:

• Confidential
• Secret
• Top Secret

Additionally, some roles may require two other classification levels:

• Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Special Access Programs (SAP)

Holding a security clearance may allow you to:

• Enjoy more job security, as roles that require security clearances are in demand
• Pursue that allow you to impact critical projects that directly help others (for example, projects involving national security, global defense, and healthcare)
• Transfer your clearance to other areas and roles so that you can pivot, reskill, and upskill throughout your career (for example, at 无忧传媒, uncover opportunities through programs like Tech Excellence or our career exploration platform)

Most of support sensitive work within government and military agencies. These include positions ranging from project manager to software developer or cybersecurity analyst. Whether you鈥檒l need a security clearance depends on the agency you鈥檒l support and the position鈥檚 requirements.

To obtain a security clearance, you must first apply for a job that requires one. At 无忧传媒, the path starts with the job offer and standard background screening. When that鈥檚 approved, the next step is the application for a security clearance.

Each agency, employer, and role is different, but here鈥檚 a general idea of what to expect:

• Application: Once you鈥檝e been offered a role requiring a security clearance, you鈥檒l officially apply through the government鈥檚 eQip website. Your employer will walk you through the specific steps, which depend on the level of clearance required.
• Investigation: Once the application is submitted, an investigation will begin. A federal investigative agency will open a detailed background check on you. They鈥檙e thorough鈥攖hey want to be sure you are who you say you are and can be trusted.
• Adjudication: Once the investigation is finished, the agency will determine whether you鈥檒l be granted a security clearance.

The investigative agency may look into things like your allegiance to the United States, potential foreign influence, financial history, criminal conduct, use of information technology, and more.聽They鈥檒l verify your employment history and may interview your friends, colleagues, and family members.

While fewer than 1% of security clearance applications end in denial, honesty is of the utmost importance.

Yes, it鈥檚 possible to 鈥渦p-clear.鈥� For each clearance level, you would go back through the investigation process; clearance levels don鈥檛 necessarily build upon each other. Up-clearing may open even more specialized positions, allowing you to continue elevating your career and impact.

Currently, once your clearance is final, you鈥檒l be enrolled in continuous evaluation and vetting, and your eligibility to maintain your clearance is managed through daily interactions by the adjudicating agency.聽聽

While a public trust isn鈥檛 technically a security clearance, it鈥檚 similar. Many roles that require some interfacing with sensitive information require a public trust. The process is virtually the same, but the investigation phase is less involved, and the time frame is typically faster.

Yes鈥攚e often help facilitate the clearance process based on contractual relationships with our government clients. However, this depends on the role to which you鈥檙e applying.

Job postings that are open to sponsoring security clearance applicants have a basic qualification listed as 鈥淎bility to obtain a security clearance.鈥� Those that are open to sponsoring a public trust applicant have a basic qualification listed as 鈥淎bility to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Suitability/Fitness determination based on client requirement.鈥�

Security clearances are imperative for many of our missions鈥攖hey allow us to do meaningful work and partner on some of the most critical projects. That鈥檚 why we do what we can to help our experts obtain them whenever possible.聽