What is the purpose of security clearances?

• A. To assign parking permits
• B. To authorize travel
• C. To decide salary grade
• D. To determine eligibility to access classified information based on level of risk and trust.

Answer: (D)

Security clearances exist to decide who may access classified information. The central idea is to determine eligibility to access such information based on level of risk and trust, and to grant access only to what is needed for a person's role. This involves background checks, investigations, and ongoing monitoring to ensure ongoing trustworthiness. Parking permits, travel authorization, and salary grades are unrelated administrative functions, not safeguards for classified data.