September, 2022

This overview will help individuals new to the process understand what it means to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance or access authorization

This overview will help individuals new to the process understand what it means to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance or access authorization. You are a part of a select group of individuals who are being considered for access to classified information maintained by DOE.  As you know, the protection of classified information is very important to our national security. Generally, classified information is official information or material that requires protection in the interest of national security. Such information includes that which relates to the national defense and foreign relations of the United States. There are three basic levels of classified information: Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential. If classified information is mishandled or given to the wrong person, it could harm our country’s security or that of our allies.