RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Twelve percent fewer people had access to confidential government information in fiscal year 2014 than did previously, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The drop represents 640,000 fewer people with security clearances.

The most likely people to be refused clearance were contractors, according to federalnewsradio.com.

The website reports that the crackdown reflects stricter clearance guidelines following the disclosures of classified information by Edward Snowden.