IC (Intelligence Community)
The Intelligence Community (IC) is the collective term for the 18 U.S. government organizations that carry out intelligence activities. IC positions typically require Top Secret clearances with SCI access and often polygraph examinations.
Quick Facts
| Size | 18 member organizations |
| Coordination | Led by ODNI |
| Clearance level | Typically TS/SCI |
| Additional requirements | Often polygraph, special access |
IC Member Organizations
The Intelligence Community includes[3]:
Independent agencies:
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Department of Defense elements:
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
- National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- Military service intelligence branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force)
Other department elements:
- FBI (Justice Department)
- DEA Office of National Security Intelligence
- Department of Energy (Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence)
- Department of Homeland Security (Office of Intelligence and Analysis)
- Department of State (Bureau of Intelligence and Research)
- Department of the Treasury (Office of Intelligence and Analysis)
- Coast Guard Intelligence
Clearance Requirements in the IC
IC positions have elevated security requirements[1]:
Baseline:
- Top Secret clearance minimum for most positions
- SCI eligibility required
- Favorable adjudication under IC standards
Additional requirements:
- Polygraph examination (type varies by agency)
- Specific compartment access
- Program-specific indoctrination
- Periodic reinvestigation
Working in the IC
As a government employee:
- Direct hire to IC agency
- Career service or excepted service
- Agency-specific hiring processes
- Often requires agency-specific polygraph
As a contractor:
- Through cleared contractors
- Supporting specific IC contracts
- Clearance sponsored by contractor
- Must meet IC access standards
IC Hiring Characteristics
IC employment differs from other federal work[2]:
- More extensive vetting
- Longer hiring timelines
- Lifestyle polygraphs common
- Greater foreign contact scrutiny
- Ongoing security requirements
Security Within the IC
The IC has additional security infrastructure:
Facilities:
- SCIFs for classified work
- Strict access controls
- Compartmented operations
Oversight:
- ODNI security coordination
- Agency security offices
- Congressional oversight
Reciprocity in the IC
Clearance reciprocity within the IC[3]:
- Generally good between IC agencies
- Polygraph type may require upgrade
- Specific compartments don't transfer automatically
- Each agency has some unique requirements
Related
References
- ^ ICD 704: Personnel Security Standards and Procedures Governing Eligibility for Access to SCI. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ Executive Order 12968: Access to Classified Information. National Archives. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ Security Clearance Process: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Congressional Research Service. Accessed 2026-01-10.