A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information or restricted areas. This process typically involves a thorough background check to assess the person's trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States or other governing bodies. Clearances are often required for jobs in government, military, and certain private sectors. There are different levels of security clearances, such as Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret, each corresponding to the sensitivity of the information accessed. The higher the clearance level, the more extensive the investigation and the stricter the requirements. Maintaining a security clearance also involves ongoing evaluations to ensure continued eligibility.