How frequently must security clearance reinvestigations occur for Top Secret clearances?

For Top Secret clearances, reinvestigations are required every five years. This periodic reinvestigation is essential to ensure that individuals with access to sensitive national security information continue to meet the necessary security standards. The process helps identify any changes in a person’s circumstances that could affect their eligibility for holding a security clearance, such as issues related to financial stability, criminal activity, or foreign contacts. The five-year timeframe strikes a balance between maintaining security and allowing for the complexity of modern backgrounds, recognizing that information relevant to a person's security profile can evolve over time. Regular reinvestigations form a critical part of the broader security clearance process, underpinning the integrity of the personnel security program within government and defense agencies.