Unclassified

• The lowest level of security clearance in the Canadian military is unclassified. This classification is given to privates and members of the reserves. When people first join the army, officials carry out a financial background check and the enlistees' references are checked. Employment history and educational credentials may also be checked. The basic security clearance checks are the same as those carried out by other Canadian employers.
  
  

Restricted

• People with restricted clearance usually work in military administration, handling funding, protocols, payroll and financial information. The information that is handled by members of the military with restricted clearance can have undesirable effects if it's made public.
  
  

Confidential

• People handling confidential information are usually generals and majors. People who are considered for military jobs that deal with confidential information must undergo a security clearance process that usually takes two to three months. A polygraph, psychological test, reference check and financial history are taken into account. Confidential military information includes military tactics and action plans.
  
  

Top Secret

• When a recruit undergoes a top secret security clearance, he undergoes polygraph testing and a psychological assessment is carried out. Five or more reference checks are completed, financial history and primary addresses are checked, and agents interview friends, family and references. Around 20,000 people each year apply for top secret clearance, but fewer than 200 are called in for an information session.