security clearance

(ordnance) A clearance given to a person to permit access to classified material, equipment, or information up to and including a given classification, provided the person can establish a need-to-know.

An administrative determination by competent authority that an individual is eligible, from a security standpoint, for access to classified information.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

A limited license or initial general permission to access classified information—that is, any data or material belonging to the federal government that relates to sensitive topics such as military plans or vulnerabilities of security systems.

(DOD) An administrative determination by competent authority that an individual is eligible, from a security stand-point, for access to classified information.