Security Clearance

Though it is intended as a measure and method of data security, the system of security clearance in the City, as determined and managed by the Computer, is also effectively a system of measuring or predicting social class and material wealth.

Some 75% of citizens are Orange-clearance or lower, leaving less than 25% to the higher security ratings. Encounters with individuals higher than Green-clearance may be classified and undisclosable. Discussing the details of Blue-level or higher clearance is restricted to those clearance levels only. Because of security issues and classification, the exact number or percentage of those at high levels is unknown.

Security Clearance Requirements and Benefits

Infrared. No security clearance. No authority. No requirements. No benefits. By law Infrareds are required to take daily medications which enable or inhibit certain behaviors and abilities. Infrareds are restricted from owning some types of personal property, including weapons, transportation, and computers. Nearly 50% of citizens are Infrareds, making it the class of Everyman and Nobody at the same time. Typical Wealth level: Struggling (-1).

Red. Security Clearance (RED), "Need to know" access to a narrow range of secrets, 5 pts. Effectively the "middle class" of the City, approximately 30% of the city has Red-level clearance. Typical Wealth level: Average (0).

Orange. Security Clearance (ONG), "Need to know" access to a narrow range of secrets, 10 pts. Administrative Rank 1, 5 pts. Often referred to as the "management class," as so many managers and supervisors are Orange-clearance. Typical Wealth level: Average.

Yellow. Security Clearance (YLW), "Need to know" access to a broad range of secrets, 10 pts. Administrative Rank 2, 10 pts. Typical Wealth level: Comfortable.

Green. Security Clearance (GRN), "Need to know" access to a broad range of secrets, 10 pts. Administrative Rank 3, 15 pts. Typical Wealth level: Comfortable.

Blue. Security Clearance (BLU), Free access to a narrow range of secrets, 10 pts. Administrative Rank 4, 20 pts. Legal Enforcement Powers 1, 5 pts. Typical Wealth level: Wealthy.

Indigo. Security Clearance (IDG), Free access to a narrow range of secrets. 10 pts. Administrative Rank 5. 25 pts. Legal Enforcement Powers 2, 10 pts. Legal Immunity 1, 5 pts. Typical Wealth level: Wealthy.

Violet. Security Clearance (V), Free access to a broad range of secrets. 15 pts. Administrative Rank 6. 30 pts. Legal Enforcement Powers 3, 15 pts. Legal Immunity 2, 10 pts. Typical Wealth level: Very Wealthy.

Ultraviolet. Security Clearance (UV), Free access to a broad range of secrets. 15 pts. Administrative Rank 7. 35 pts. Legal Enforcement Powers 4, 20 pts. Legal Immunity 3, 15 pts. Typical Wealth level: Filthy Rich. Only High Programmers have Ultraviolet clearance. As their existence is classified Ultraviolet, it is forbidden to even discuss the High Programmers, beyond the mere mention of their existence (which, since it is classified, is therefore unconfirmed, and besides no one has ever met or seen a High-Programmer, or is cleared to admit it).

Notes

• Security clearance scheme derived from Paranoia XP: Service Pack 1, published by Mongoose Games, Copyright 2004 by Eric Goldberg and Greg Costikyan. PARANOIA is a trademark of Eric Goldberg and Greg Costikyan.