Sure Fire Information Security Clearance

There are three basic types of security clearances:

   1) Top secret (TS) - Access to sensitive information that has a high degree of secrecy, the unauthorized disclosure of which could place the nation in exceptionally grave danger

2) Secret (S) - Access to sensitive information for which unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security

   3) Confidential (C) - Access to sensitive information for which unauthorized disclosure could impair or injure the national interest
Basic security clearances might be expanded to include other terms to further define them. An example of this is the, TS/Crypto stands for a top secret, cryptography security clearance.
   When a security clearance is required, it means that you must submit to and "pass" a personnel security investigation (PSI). This is essentially a background check, that probes deeper than a typical, employment-related background check. Consisting of one or more of the following, depending on the type of security clearance you are applying for:

     1) Verification of U.S. citizenship
      2) Search for investigative files and other records at Federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
      3) Search for criminal records at local law enforcement agencies
      4) Fingerprinting
      5) Polygraph exam (lie detector test)
      6) Credit and other financial checks
      7) Check of records at courts, rental agencies and your employers
      8) Interviewing your references
      9) Interviewing you

You will probaly be ask to submit to a security clearance for a job, or to work at a private-sector company that contracts with the government or military.
What agencies do Security Clearances ?
The Office of Personal Managment (OPM) and other Federal agencies conduct Personal Security Investigations. The Office of Personal Managment conducts the personal security investigations for a wide range of Federal agencies, as well as private-sector companies working under government contracts.

YOU MUST answer all of the questions on the SF86 accurately it is very important, and is evidence that you are reliable and honest. If investorgators clear you for the security cleance and find out later that you had concealed or try to cover something up your clearance will be revoked.
The investorgators doing the ivestigation can access any and all information about you past and present. This includes but are not limited too sealed records, juvenille records, expunged records and medical records. They can and will go has far back has your childhood.
When you sign and submit the SF-86 form it includes a statement that you are aurthorizing the release of any and all information about you to the investigators.
If after you have submitted the SF-86 form and you realize that you inadvertently made a mistake or omitted something important from the form, tell your Security Officer, Recruiter, MEPS Security Interviewer, or the Investigators upfront when you are interviewed. If you do not do tell them your error or omission can be held against you during the adjudicative process and may result in denial of your clearance.

Confidental and Secret Clearances Investigations:

1) A National Agency Check (NAC) is a computerized search of investigative and other records held by the Office of Personal Management, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies.

2) A Local Agency Check (LAC) is a review of criminal history records held by local law enforcement agencies ( police or sheriffs departments) with jurisdiction over the areas where you have resided gone to school or worked

3) Financial check is the review of your credit record and history.

Top Secret Clearance:

What is known has a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is done.

1) This includes a National Agency Check (NAC), Local Agency Check (LAC) also with field interviews of references of your coworkers, educators, employers, personal friends, neighbors, family and apporiate friends.

2) A check of all records that are held by employers, courts and rental offices.

3) An personal interview with you by an investigators.