Security Clearance Level 1: Top Secret – Preferred Secret

Security Clearance Level 1 is a matter in which the details depend on the role, the information involved and the circumstances of each case. In brief: Security clearance level 1, “Top Secret – Preferred Secret”, is the highest level on the 6-level scale. It is required in a small number of roles with access to strategic information, on a strict “need to know” basis. The check is the most in-depth: a questionnaire, a long interview, broad background checks and usually a polygraph. A disqualification may be objected to within 30 days.

Level 1 is the level at which the security check reaches its greatest depth. Every detail of the personal background is examined, and even small gaps between the questionnaire and the interview may delay the decision. As a former Shin Bet employee and a security clearance lawyer with 15 years of experience, I accompany level 1 candidates before the interview, during it, and where necessary in an objection to a disqualification.

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What Is Security Clearance Level 1?

The clearance scale in Israel runs from level 1, the highest, to level 6, the lowest. Level 1 is called “Top Secret – Preferred Secret”. It is reserved for information of exceptional strategic sensitivity, whose disclosure may cause severe and lasting harm to the State. Access to it is given to a small number of people, and only when the role requires it.

Who Is Required to Have Level 1 Clearance?

• Senior office holders in the intelligence community
• Roles in especially sensitive strategic projects
• Senior-level officials who are exposed to information at the highest level
• Unique technological roles in which direct access to such information is required

The clearance is determined for the role, not for the person. The security officer in the organization determines the level of the role, and the Shin Bet checks the candidate’s suitability.

What Is the Difference between Level 1 and the Levels Below It?

• Level 3 – Top Secret: the common level in classified roles in the IDF and in industry.
• Level 2 – Top Secret, Community: information shared by several intelligence bodies.
• Level 1 – Preferred Secret: the most sensitive information, for a small number of people. The most comprehensive check.

What Does the Check at Level 1 Look Like?

1. A detailed personal questionnaire: family, addresses and studies in the last 10 years, work, travel abroad and financial situation.
2. A long security interview: usually in several sessions, with topics repeated to check consistency.
3. Broad background checks: approaching references, acquaintances and other parties, and checking ties in Israel and abroad, including those of close family members.
4. A polygraph: at this level it is very common.

At level 1 there are no “marginal details”. Everything that is given is checked and cross-referenced, so organized preparation before the questionnaire matters more here than at any other level.

Moving to Level 1 from a Lower Level

A person who holds level 2 or level 3 clearance and is designated for a level 1 role undergoes an additional in-depth check. The answers in the new questionnaire are compared with what was given in earlier checks, and the interview focuses on everything that has changed since. It is worth going over the earlier checks before filling out the questionnaire. If something was not reported in the past, it is better to deal with it on your own initiative and in an organized way.

How to Prepare for the Interview at Level 1

1. Gather documents in advance: addresses, studies and work in the last 10 years, travel abroad, family details and debts.
2. Check consistency with the past: make sure that today’s answers are consistent with what was given in earlier checks.
3. Do not cut corners: a partial answer that is discovered later harms credibility more than the fact itself.
4. Know the limits of self-incrimination: the interview is not confidential like a conversation with a lawyer. What to know about self-incrimination in the interview.
5. Consult before, not after: most problems are easier to prevent at the questionnaire stage than to fix in an objection.

What May Delay or Disqualify a Level 1 Clearance?

• Concealing information or contradictions between the questionnaire and the interview, or between it and earlier checks
• Unreported drug use
• Heavy debts or gambling
• Ties with parties in hostile countries
• A criminal record, even when the case was closed
• A psychological background that raises concern about resilience under pressure

A Repeat Check for Someone Who Already Holds Level 1 Clearance

The clearance is not permanent. A person serving in a level 1 role undergoes a repeat security check every few years, and may be checked on the initiative of the classifying body following an unusual event. A person who was found unsuitable in a repeat check is entitled to the same rights as a new candidate: a reasoned notice, an objection within 30 days, and a request for interim relief so that the role is not filled until the decision.

Disqualified at Level 1?

• An objection within 30 days to the objection committee, with an affidavit and a copy of the notice.
• The decision refers to a role or type of roles (Regulation 7(1) of the Shin Bet Regulations). A disqualification at level 1 does not necessarily mean there is no suitability for a lower level. It is worth checking this already at the objection stage.
• Reconsideration: if circumstances have changed, a new examination may be requested even before the end of the disqualification period, which lasts up to 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions about Security Clearance Level 1

How Long Does Level 1 Clearance Take?

It is usually the longest process among the clearance levels, and sometimes lasts many months. The length depends mainly on the personal background and ties abroad. If the process is stuck for a long time, you can write and ask for an update.

Is a Polygraph Test Mandatory at Level 1?

Not always, but at this level it is very common, and sometimes repeats over the years. It is worth preparing for it separately.

Do I Need to Go through Lower Levels First?

Not necessarily. The level is determined by the role, not by seniority in clearance. A person who already holds a clearance arrives with a history of checks, and it will be examined in depth.

I Was Disqualified at Level 1. Can I Receive a Lower Level?

Possibly. The decision refers to a particular role or type of roles, so it is important to read the notice carefully and examine the options with a lawyer.

Is the Meeting with the Lawyer Confidential?

Yes. The conversation is protected by attorney-client privilege, unlike the interview itself.

Further reading: Security clearance levels 1–6 · Security clearance level 2 · Security clearance level 3 · How long does security clearance take · Security clearance lawyer