Access to classified information

Definition

Access to classified information is

“

[t]he ability and opportunity to obtain knowledge of classified information. Persons have access to classified information if they are permitted to gain knowledge of the information or if they are in a place where they would be expected to gain such knowledge. Persons do not have access to classified information by being in a place where classified information is kept if security measures prevent them from gaining knowledge of the information.

”

Overview

As stated in Executive Order 13526, a person may have access to classified information provided that:

• A favorable determination of eligibility for access has been made by an agency head or the agency head's designee (i.e., the person has been granted an appropriate security clearance);
• The person has signed an approved non-disclosure agreement; and
• The person has a need-to-know the information.

Source

• "Overview" section: U.S. National Intelligence: An Overview 2011, at 62.