What Is a Security Clearance?
A security clearance is a determination of trustworthiness made by the federal government. It allows an individual access to classified national security information. Obtaining a clearance is a rigorous process involving background investigations, financial reviews, and polygraph examinations.
Clearances are essential for federal contractors, military personnel, and government employees working with sensitive defense information, intelligence data, or national security systems.
The Three Main Clearance Levels
The U.S. government maintains three primary clearance classifications, each with different access levels and investigation depths.
Secret Clearance (S)
The Secret level is the entry point to the cleared space. It requires a Tier 3 background investigation covering 15 years of a person's history. The process typically takes 2-4 months, though it can extend longer.
Secret clearance holders can access information where unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage to national security. This level is common in federal IT infrastructure, communications security, and systems administration roles.
Top Secret Clearance (TS)
Top Secret clearance requires a more extensive Tier 4 investigation and typically takes 4-6 months or longer. Investigators conduct interviews, financial audits, employment history verification, and polygraph examinations.
TS clearance grants access to information where unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. Salaries for TS-cleared professionals are typically 15-25% higher than Secret-level equivalents.
Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI)
TS/SCI is the highest classification level for most cleared professionals. Beyond Top Secret, it includes access to compartmented information requiring specialized "need to know" determination.
TS/SCI investigations are the most thorough, including polygraph examinations and can take 6-12+ months. TS/SCI-cleared cybersecurity engineers and systems engineers command premium market rates in the federal contracting space.
How the Clearance Process Works
The security clearance adjudication process involves multiple stages and agencies. Understanding the timeline helps candidates set realistic expectations.
Step 1: Initiation and Form SF-86
An employer sponsors a candidate for clearance. The candidate completes the SF-86 form (Questionnaire for National Security Positions), which asks for 15-20 years of biographical and financial history. Accuracy is critical—omissions or false information can result in denial or revocation.
Step 2: Background Investigation
A federal background investigator conducts interviews with the candidate, former employers, neighbors, and references. They verify employment history, education credentials, financial records, and conduct a credit check.
For Top Secret and TS/SCI, investigators interview more references and conduct more extensive financial reviews. Any gaps, discrepancies, or unusual patterns trigger deeper investigation.
Step 3: Adjudication
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) reviews the investigation file and makes a final determination. They assess trustworthiness, reliability, and absence of conflicts of interest using 13 adjudicative guidelines.
Step 4: Clearance Grant or Denial
If approved, the candidate receives a clearance grant notification. If denied, they can request a hearing and explanation. Denials are often appealed, particularly if based on outdated financial or medical information.
Why Cleared Professionals Are in Demand
Security clearances are a critical bottleneck in federal technology. Federal agencies and prime contractors need cleared talent to:
- Operate and maintain classified information systems
- Develop and deploy defense cybersecurity solutions
- Manage federal cloud infrastructure and compute resources
- Provide systems administration and IT support in secured environments
- Conduct cybersecurity training and awareness programs
The supply of cleared talent has not kept pace with demand. Federal agencies struggle to fill open positions, leading to delayed projects and increased reliance on contractor staffing.
Industry Insight from CALGAR
At CALGAR Consulting, we work directly with cleared professionals across the DMV region. We've observed that the clearance market is increasingly competitive for TS/SCI-level talent.
Top-tier cleared professionals—particularly those with cybersecurity expertise, cloud infrastructure knowledge, or specialized systems administration skills—are highly sought after. Federal contractors vie for talent, offering flexibility, remote work, professional development, and competitive salaries.
For professionals considering entry into the cleared space, we recommend obtaining a Secret clearance first, then transitioning to Top Secret once you've built relevant federal IT experience. This path provides faster market entry and demonstrates your understanding of federal environments.
Need Support in the Cleared Industry?
CALGAR Consulting partners with federal agencies, prime contractors, and cleared professionals to build teams that drive mission success. Whether you're a contractor seeking cleared talent or a professional looking for your next cleared role, we're here to help.