TS (Top Secret)
Top Secret is the highest standard security clearance level granted by the U.S. government.
Quick Facts
| Level | Highest standard clearance |
| Damage if disclosed | Exceptionally grave damage to national security |
| Investigation | Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) |
| Reinvestigation | Every 5 years / Continuous Evaluation |
| Typical timeline | 4-12 months |
What It Covers
Top Secret clearance grants access to information classified at the Top Secret level. This does not automatically include access to:
- SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information)
- SAP (Special Access Programs)
- Specific compartments or programs
Who Needs It
- Intelligence community personnel
- Senior military positions
- Defense contractors on sensitive programs
- Government employees with access to highly classified data