Question

Sarah is a contractor working within the government on a contract requiring access to Secret information. Which of the following must she have to meet the requirement to access classified information?

1) Security clearance
2) Access card
3) Password
4) Background check

Answer 1

Sarah must have a security clearance, which requires a thorough background check, to access classified information. An access card and password may be used in conjunction with a security clearance for added security measures.

Step-by-step explanation:

To access classified information, Sarah must have a combination of requirements. First and foremost, she needs to have a security clearance, which is a formal determination that an individual is eligible for access to classified information. The process for obtaining a security clearance involves a thorough background check, which looks into various aspects of her personal history to ensure she is trustworthy and does not pose a risk to national security.

An access card and password might be part of the physical and technical security measures to access specific facilities or information systems, but on their own, these do not grant the right to handle classified information. The core requirement is the security clearance, which is granted after a successful background check. Once the security clearance is obtained, an access card and password may be provided as part of the security protocol.