The terms Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) are often used together, which can lead some security clearance holders to confusion about what the terms mean and if they refer to the same thing. An SSBI is a type of background investigation used for a Top Secret security clearance determination. SCI is a special subset of classified information.
Many people see the terms TS/SCI, which refers to a person or position which requires someone with TS/SCI clearance. Some security clearance holders ask if they can list ‘TS/SCI’ clearance after their Top Secret security clearance is adjudicated. While having a Top Secret security clearance makes you eligible for SCI, you don’t necessarily have access to SCI until you’re read into a program. A new investigation isn’t required, but a security officer related to the program generally needs to update your eligibility in the security clearance system of record.
Put simply, SSBI is a type of investigation, and SCI refers to a type of information. The two terms are highly related, but they’re not at all interchangeable, nor do they mean the same things. There’s no need to indicated TS/SSBI in a resume or as a clearance detail – but it’s also likely unnecessary to list SCI next to TS on your resume.
SCI: Polygraph Requirements
A polygraph isn’t necessarily required for access to SCI, but many intelligence community programs do require a polygraph in order to obtain SCI. A SSBI is the type of background investigation required for a TS clearance. The TS clearance investigation is significantly more in-depth than the investigation used for a Secret clearance, which required a National Agency Check with Local Agency Checks and Credit Checks (NACLC). An SSBI includes more verifications and requires more investigative time to look into any potential issues. The adjudicative guidelines are the same, but the depth of the investigation is different.
