Security Clearance Levels

Overview

Association security clearances granted to personnel represent the highest Division or type of information to which they can be granted access. However, having any given clearance Division does not automatically grant access to all information at that Division: personnel are only granted access to information on a "need-to-know" basis and at the discretion of the designated disclosure officer overseeing their respective departments.

Division-0 (Informal)

Division-0 security clearance is an informal designation given to O-Class personnel and contractors who have no knowledge of the Association. At Division-0, all access to Association knowledge is restricted and only the bare minimum of information should be divulged in order to ensure these personnel perform their duties.

Division-I (Confidential)

Division I security clearances designate a staff member who is a formal employee of The Association but does not interact with or require access to AEPs. Division I security clearances are typically granted to personnel working in clerical, logistics, or janitorial positions at facilities with containment capability or otherwise must handle sensitive information. If they wish to leave or are unable to perform their given duties, they are given Grade-A amnestics and released.

Division-II (Restricted)

Division-II security clearances are given to security and research personnel that require direct access to information regarding anomalous objects and entities in containment. Most research staff, field agents, and containment specialists hold a Division II security clearance. Division II Personnel generally are the only other division to maintain certain AEPs.

Division-III (Secret)

Division-III security clearances are given to senior security and research personnel that require in-depth data regarding the source, recovery circumstances, and long-term planning for anomalous objects and entities in containment. Most senior research staff, project managers, security officers, response team members, and ART operatives hold a Division-III security clearance.

Division-IV (Top Secret)

Division-iV security clearances are given to the senior administration that requires access to site-wide and/or regional intelligence as well as long-term strategic data regarding Association operations and research projects. Division-IV security clearances are typically only held by Site Administrator, Security Administrator, or ART Commanders.

Division-V (Blacklight)

Division-V security clearances are given to the highest-ranking administrative personnel within the Association and grant effectively unlimited access to all strategic and otherwise sensitive data. Division-V security clearances are typically only granted to Global Administrator and selected staff.

Personnel Classes

In order to facilitate organization and personnel management, Each Association employee is assigned a class according to their role within The Association. Personnel Classes are determined according to one's role within the Association and his/her proximity to AEPs on a daily basis.

Alpha Class (A Class)

Alpha Class designation is given to personnel who are in charge of managing Association operations. This includes Site Administrator, Regional Administrator, Global Administrator, as well as senior security officers. Class A personnel are considered extremely valuable to Association functionality and, as a result, have security priority during emergencies.

Beta Class (B Class)

Class B Personnel are considered important only for the day-to-day functionality of site and area operations. Most researchers, security-personnel, and support staff are Class B.

Theta Class (T Class)

designations are given to the non-essential staff of The Association, given to personnel such as janitorial staff, mess hall staff, secretaries, and new recruits.

Omega Class (O Class)

Class O personnel are the human test subjects the Association sources from death row across the world, as well as captured enemies and Association traitors. The Class O designation prohibits one from being assigned a security clearance.

Zeta Class (Z Class)

Class Z personnel are contractors who are employed by The Association without their knowledge. Like Class O personnel, Class Zs may never be assigned a security clearance and in addition must never be informed of The Association's existence.

Security

The Security Branch of the Association is responsible for ensuring the safety of all Association personnel and recapturing AEPs that escape containment. Where there is an Association presence, there is assuredly a security team close by to act on any threats they see. In addition, Association security possess an advanced arsenal of small arms, artillery, and nuclear weapons should the need arise for large-scale offensive or defensive operations. Security personnel are hardened veterans, drafted from law enforcement and military organizations all over the world and ready to contain and neutralize any and all threats to the Association. There are two components that make up Association Security: Legion and the Mobile Strike Forces, which work with the Regional Security Administrator to ensure the safety of the world.

Association Defense Force

The Association Defense Force (ADF) is the general protection arm of Association Security. ADF personnel are typically assigned the following duties: staff protection, low-Division asset retrieval, and first response. Additionally, ADF personnel are capable of large-scale warfare and possess a full arsenal of air, land, and sea weapons and vehicles. The ADF is structured as a traditional military, starting with fire teams of four all the way up to full-size battalions under the command of a Lieutenant Colonel. The Association maintains multiple battalions on every continent and ocean. The ADF is known colloquially as "Association Security" and should be referred to as such in official documentation.

Assault and Reconnaissance Division

Unlike ADF forces, The Assault and Reconnaissance Division has a relatively small pool of personnel; each Association Region has an assigned platoon under the command of a Lieutenant Colonel. Within the platoon, there are typically ten squads, each composed of 10 man teams. These teams are referred to as Assault and Reconnaissance Teams (ARTs). Each team is highly trained, usually ex-Marine or ex-Special Forces. They use cutting-edge technology to further their skills. Each team is given an assigned code name of "ART" followed by a code word from the NATO Phonetic Alphabet and a number (Ex. ART Epsilon-7). Additionally, when out a mission, teams are given a temporary code name in order to facilitate communication and thwart potential enemy intelligence efforts (Ex. "Firewatch", "Nightshade", etc).

Staff Hierarchy

The Association maintains a strict hierarchy to in order to facilitate organization and efficiency across all Association operations. Below is a list of senior management titles, ranked in ascending Divisions of power, describing the personnel who ensure The Association operates safely and effectively.

Lead Researcher/Team Lead

Lead Researchers are placed in charge of teams of scientists within their respective division. These personnel keep researchers focused and on task, as well as scheduling AEPs for testing. Team Leads direct goals within small, non-AEP focused groups, such as Electronic Systems.

Head Researcher/Department Head

The Head Researcher is placed in charge of a division (Ex. Bio-science, Memetics) within a site. He/she is in charge of setting the goals within a division, approving containment protocols, and coordinating with other divisions. Often, Head Researchers will incorporate nearby OL-sites as part of their duties. Department Heads are much the same as Head Researchers, but their duties are centered around non-AEP issues.

Site Director/Area Administrator

The Site Administrator is the boss of an Association site. He/she assigns incoming AEPs to specific divisions, manages security deployment, and maintains close contact with department heads to ensure the safety of a site. As Association areas do not host AEPs, Area Administrators work closely with Site Administrators to ensure information is stored properly as well as maintaining Association infrastructure in a region. These personnel are typically equipped with Division-III or Division-IV security clearance.

Regional Administrator

The Regional Administrator is in charge of an entire Association region. Regional Administrators coordinate large scale operations, approve site creations, select Area/Site Administrators. As a result, Division-IV security clearance typically comes default with the Regional Administrator position. Regional Administrators locate their office in Association areas and are forbidden to come into voluntary contact with AEPs, due to the sensitive nature of their position.

Global Administrator

The Global Administrators are the absolute top of the totem pole within the Association. They set Association-wide goals and have virtually limitless power within The Association. Additionally, Global Administrators manage relations with countries and work closely with the highest of government officials. Global Administrators have unlimited access to the Association database and are the only personnel who may grant Division-V access.

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