### Question
How is the "special access program" defined?


### Answer
The term **special access program** is defined in *50 U.S.C. § 3348* as follows -

> any program that, under the authority of Executive Order 12356 (or any successor Executive order), is established by the head of a department or agency whom the President has designated in the Federal Register as an original "secret" or "top secret" classification authority that imposes "need-to-know" controls or access controls beyond those controls normally required (by regulations applicable to such department or agency) for access to information classified as "confidential", "secret", or "top secret"

#### Citation:
  - *50 U.S.C. § 3348*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 45-MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AUTHORITIES > SUBCHAPTER III-SECURITY CLEARANCES AND CLASSIFIED INFORMATION**

