ICA Security Levels

The **ICA Security Levels** were a system designed to designate the sensitivity of classified information within the Interplanar Containment Authority.

## Overview

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

### Level 0 (For Official Use Only)

Level 0 security clearances were given to non-essential personnel with no need to access information regarding anomalous objects or entities in the ICA's containment. Level 0 access was typically held by personnel in non-secured clerical, logistics, or janitorial positions at facilities with no access to operational data.

### Level 1 (Confidential)

Level 1 security clearances were given to personnel working in proximity to but with no direct, indirect, or informational access to sensitive information or mission-specifics. Level 1 security clearances were typically granted to personnel working in clerical, logistics, or janitorial positions at facilities with operational or containment capability or otherwise handling sensitive information.

### Level 2 (Restricted)

Level 2 security clearances were given to security and research personnel that requiredd direct access to information regarding anomalous objects, entities, or engagements in containment. Most research staff, field agents, and containment specialists hold a Level 2 security clearance.

### Level 3 (Secret)

Level 3 security clearances were given to senior security and research personnel that required in-depth data regarding the origins, circumstances, and long-term planning for missions and their consequences. Most senior research staff, project managers, security officers, response team members, and Mobile Task Force operatives held a Level 3 security clearance.

### Level 4 (Top Secret)

Level 4 security clearances were given to senior administration that required access to site-wide and/or regional intelligence as well as long-term strategic data regarding ICA operations and research projects. Level 4 security clearances were typically only held by Site Directors, Security Directors, or Mobile Task Force Commanders.

### Level 5 (Above Top Secret)

Level 5 security clearances were given to the highest-ranking administrative personnel within the ICA and granted effectively unlimited access to all strategic and otherwise sensitive data. Level 5 security clearances were typically only granted to selected staff.

## Personnel Classifications

Classifications were assigned to personnel based on their proximity to potentially dangerous anomalous objects, entities, or phenomena.

### Alpha Class

Alpha Class personnel were those deemed essential to ICA strategic operations, and were not allowed direct access to any anomalous materials or field work under any circumstances. When circumstances required Alpha Class personnel to be in direct proximity to such information or artefacts (such as in the case of facilities housing containment units), Alpha Class personnel were not allowed access to the areas of the facility containing those anomalies and were to be kept in secured areas at all times. In the case of an emergency, Alpha Class personnel were to be immediately evacuated to a designated and secure off-site location.

### Beta Class

Beta Class personnel were those deemed essential to local ICA operations, and may only be granted access to objects, entities, anomalies and missions that had passed quarantine and have been cleared of any potential threat. In the event of a containment breach or hostile action against an ICA facility, Beta Class personnel were to be evacuated to a designated, secure off-site location as soon as possible.

### Gamma Class

Gamma Class personnel were personnel with direct access to most artefacts and mission personnel not deemed strictly hostile or dangerous. Gamma Class personnel that had direct contact with potentially threatening artefacts may be subject to mandatory quarantine and psychiatric evaluation as deemed necessary by security personnel. In the event of a containment breach or hostile action against an ICA facility, non-combatant Gamma Class personnel were to either report to secure lockdown areas or be evacuated at the discretion of onsite security personnel in the case of a site-wide breach or other catastrophic event.

### Theta Class

Theta Class was a provisional classification applied to field agents and containment personnel that have been exposed to potentially dangerous effects during the course of securing and establishing protocols surrounding a newly-designated anomalous object, entity, or phenomenon. Theta Class personnel were to be quarantined as soon as possible, monitored, and screened for potentially harmful changes in behaviour, personality, or physiology, and could only return to duty after being fully debriefed and clewered by psychiatric and medical staff.

## Staff Titles

These were general occupational titles that were typically used within the ICA.

### Site Staff

#### *Researcher*

Researchers were the scientific branch of the ICA, drawn from the ranks of the smartest and best-trained researchers from around the world. With specialists in every field imaginable, from chemistry and botany to more esoteric or specialised fields such as theoretical physics and xenobiology, the goal of the ICA's research projects were to gain a better understanding of unexplained anomalies and how reality can be protected against invasion and destruction from the Outside.

#### *Security Officer*

On-site security officers at ICA facilities, often referred to simply as guards, were tasked with maintaining physical and information security for ICA projects, operations, and personnel. Primarily drawn and recruited from military or law enforcement, security officers were trained in the use of all types of weapons as well as a variety of contingency plans covering both breach incidents as well as hostile action. These personnel were also responsible for information security, such as making sure that sensitive documents were not misplaced and that a facility's systems were safe from outside intrusion. They were also often the first line of defence against hostile outside forces for ICA facilities.

#### *Tactical Response Officer*

Response (or tactical) teams were highly trained and heavily armed combat teams tasked with escorting agents when dangerous anomalous entities or hostile Groups of Interest were involved and defending ICA facilities against hostile action. Response teams were effectively military units stationed at major ICA facilities that were ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

### Field Personnel

#### *Field Agent*

Field agents were the eyes and ears of the ICA, personnel trained to look for and investigate signs of anomalous activity, often undercover. As undercover units, field agents were typically not equipped to deal with confirmed cases of Outside threats; once such an incident has been confirmed and isolated, field agents will typically call for assistance from the nearest field containment team with the means to safely secure and contain any anomalies.

#### *Mobile Task Force Operative*

Mobile Task Forces were specialist units comprised of veteran field personnel drawn from all over the ICA. These task forces were mobilised to deal with threats of a specific nature and can include anything from field researchers specialising in a particular type of anomaly to heavily armed combat units tasked to secure certain types of hostile anomalous entity.

## Administration

### Agency Director

The Director was the highest-ranking member of operational staff and was responsible for the continued and safe operation of the Authority and all of its contained anomalies, projects, and staff. All major departmental directors reported directly to the Director.

### Security Council Member

The Security Council refered to a committee consisting of the highest-ranking ICA personnel. With complete access to all information regarding anomalies in containment, the Security Council oversees all ICA operations worldwide and directs its long-term strategic plans. Due to the sensitivity of their positions, Council members must not come into direct contact with other personnel aside from the Director. Furthermore, the identities of all Security Council members was classified until it was revealed that the Security Council never existed as an autonomous entity, only ever being Monarch.