Security Clearance
What is Security Clearance?
An authorisation granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information after completing a background investigation. Security clearance levels typically include Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.
Terms that appear alongside security clearance
Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as security clearance. The number is how many controls name both.
- personnel security 6 shared controls
- compliance 2 shared controls
- facility security 2 shared controls
- itar 2 shared controls
- policy 2 shared controls
- nist 2 shared controls
- baseline 2 shared controls
- audit 2 shared controls
Frameworks that govern security clearance
What the standards actually require on security clearance
Requirements naming security clearance across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.
Requirement 0050 (Part Two: Risk, section 7.1.5 Countering Foreign Interference and Espionage; applies to All entities; dated 01 July 2026; modified in Release 2026): Personnel do not publicise their security clearance information on online platforms.
protective-security-policy-framework-pspf-release-2026::0050 · 0050 Personnel do not publicise their security clearance online →Verify that personnel performing maintenance and diagnostic activities on a system processing, storing, or transmitting classified information possess security clearances and formal access approvals for at least the highest classification level and for compart...
NIST800-MA-5(2) · MA-5(2) Maintenance Personnel | Security Clearances for Classified Systems →A responsible entity for an enhanced-class asset must establish and maintain a process or system in its CIRMP to permit a critical worker access to critical components only where the worker has been assessed as suitable under s 9A(4), being either an AusCheck...
critical-infrastructure-risk-management-program-cirmp-rules-2023::9A(3) · s 9A(3) Enhanced suitability: AusCheck plus the entity's assessment, or a security clearance; documented risk where a worker cannot meet it; proactive monitoring →Where access to security classified information is required, the entity must sponsor and maintain personnel security clearances through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) at the appropriate level.
DISP-PERS-CLEARANCE · Security clearances (AGSVA sponsorship) →Personnel requiring access to classified information or assets must hold and maintain an appropriate security clearance.
DSPF-P40 · Personnel security clearance →Maintain personnel security clearances per AC/35-D/2000 NATO Personnel Security Policy (CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/COSMIC TOP SECRET investigations + reinvestigations every 5 years + continuous evaluation). Verify need-to-know and need-to-share controls.
NATO-NCIRC-7 · Personnel Security Clearances and Cyber Exercises →Questions people ask about security clearance
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See how Security Clearance applies across compliance frameworks
Our platform maps 1,016 frameworks with 316K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.