Public Trust
A suitability determination for roles supporting government systems or services; it is not a national security clearance.
Who grants it
Federal agencies
Typical roles
IT support, cybersecurity analyst, program support
Career resource
Cleared Cybersecurity Jobs
Navigate security clearance roles, understand eligibility, and prepare for opportunities in cyber defense and intelligence.
Clearance levels explained
Requirements vary by agency, contract, and position. A sponsoring employer manages the process.
Secret
Access for work involving national security information classified at the Secret level.
Who grants it
Federal government through sponsoring employers
Typical roles
Security engineer, systems administrator, defense analyst
Top Secret
Access for roles handling highly sensitive national security information.
Who grants it
Federal government through sponsoring employers
Typical roles
Threat intelligence, incident response, security architecture
TS/SCI
Top Secret eligibility with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information for specific missions.
Who grants it
Federal government through sponsoring employers
Typical roles
Intelligence analyst, cyber operations, advanced threat roles
How to get cleared
1. Employer sponsorship
Apply to a role that requires eligibility or clearance. Individuals generally cannot initiate a clearance investigation independently.
2. Investigation process
Complete required forms and cooperate with background investigation steps requested by the sponsoring organization.
3. Timeline
Timelines differ by level, agency workload, and individual circumstances. Ask the employer what to expect.
Veteran-friendly opportunities
Veterans may bring relevant mission experience, technical training, and active or recently held clearance eligibility. Translate those strengths clearly when applying.
Browse cleared roles
Find cybersecurity opportunities that value clearance eligibility.