Security clearance progression: every level, keycard, and keypad hacker
Visual flowchart of all 5 clearance levels in Abiotic Factor. Shows how to unlock each tier, what areas they gate, and the crafting path for every Keypad Hacker.
Original route schematic
Step 1
Access
Step 2
Route
Step 3
Return
Step 4
Patch check
This site-generated diagram summarizes the decision flow used by the guide. It is an original planning aid, not copied game or wiki media.
GATE's security system uses 5 color-coded clearance levels. Each level gates a new section of the facility. You can either find keycards or craft Keypad Hackers to bypass locked doors.
The game never shows you all five levels at once. Here's the full progression.
Clearance progression flowchart
Clearance level details
Level 1 — Blue (Office Sector)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Color | Blue keypads |
| Primary area | Office Sector Level 2-3 |
| How to unlock | Talk to Alice Mayfield in Office Sector Level 3 (Silo 3 area) |
| Keypad Hacker Tier 1 | 1 LCD Screen, 1 Controller, 1 Infrared Emitter |
| Pre-requisites | Energy Brick (to repair elevator), defeat Security Bots for CPUs |
| Key unlocks | Security checkpoint, weapon storage (Security Pistol + 9mm ammo) |
How to reach Alice: From the broken elevator in Office Sector Level 2, take a right following the Residence Tram sign. Find the flooded office with a scientist on the upper level. Repair the security control panel with an Energy Brick to open the path to Level 3's elevator. Alice is in the control room to the right of Silo 3.
Level 2 — Orange (Manufacturing West)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Color | Orange keypads |
| Primary area | Manufacturing West |
| How to unlock | Craft Keypad Hacker Tier 2 at a Crafting Bench |
| Keypad Hacker Tier 2 | 1 Computation Brick, 1 Controller, 1 LCD Screen |
| Pre-requisites | Access to Manufacturing, Crafting Bench |
| Key unlocks | Manufacturing workshops, advanced material rooms |
Level 3 — Violet (Cascade Laboratories)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Color | Violet keypads |
| Primary area | Cascade Laboratories, Wildlife Pens |
| How to unlock | Craft Keypad Hacker Tier 3 |
| Keypad Hacker Tier 3 | 1 Computation Brick, 1 Tech Scrap, 1 Infrared Emitter, 1 Coil |
| Pre-requisites | Advanced Crafting Bench |
| Key unlocks | Research labs, XR Containment access, Bio Lab areas |
This is the primary access rank for research teams. Most Lab doors use violet keypads.
Level 4 — Red (Security / Containment)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Color | Red keypads |
| Primary area | Security Sector, Containment Block |
| How to unlock | Craft Keypad Hacker Tier 4 |
| Keypad Hacker Tier 4 | Requires reading email "Clean it up!" + LCD Screen + advanced components |
| Pre-requisites | Deep Security Sector access |
| Key unlocks | Containment cells, high-security vaults, Helmholtz corridor |
Red clearance gates the most dangerous areas. Expect Order soldiers and Containment Bots behind these doors.
Level 5 — Yellow (Reactors / Endgame)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Color | Yellow keypads |
| Primary area | Reactors, Dusk Reactor, endgame zones |
| How to unlock | Craft Keypad Hacker Tier 5 |
| Keypad Hacker Tier 5 | Endgame materials (advanced electronics + rare components) |
| Pre-requisites | Near-endgame progression |
| Key unlocks | Reactor control rooms, final story areas |
Keypad Hacker crafting path
Alternative: finding keycards
Some doors have physical keycards nearby instead of requiring a Keypad Hacker:
| Location | Clearance | Where to find keycard |
|---|---|---|
| Office Sector reception | Blue | On a desk near the main reception |
| Manufacturing entry | Orange | Break room shelf in Office Level 3 |
| Lab Bio Wing | Violet | Dead scientist near Bio Lab D entrance |
| Containment Block | Red | Security office in Helmholtz corridor |
Keycards only open their specific door. The Keypad Hacker opens ALL doors at its tier and below — it's always the better investment.
Tips for efficient progression
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Stockpile LCD Screens early | Every hacker tier uses electronics — loot Office desks aggressively |
| Kill Security Bots for CPUs | You need these for Computation Bricks and the Tier 1 quest unlock |
| Don't skip Alice Mayfield | Her dialogue unlocks Tier 1 crafting recipe |
| Check emails at terminals | "Clean it up!" email unlocks Tier 4 recipe |
| Craft each tier ASAP | Doors hide critical shortcuts and supply rooms behind them |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trying to brute-force locked doors | Game doesn't explain clearance system | Check keypad color, match to hacker tier |
| Ignoring Alice Mayfield | She's in an easy-to-miss control room | Go right of Silo 3 entrance on Level 3 |
| Hoarding LCD Screens for one hacker | Thinks you only need one | You need 3-4 across all tiers |
| Not reading facility emails | They unlock higher-tier recipes | Check every terminal you find |
| Backtracking without shortcuts | Didn't unlock doors on first pass | Always hack doors you find — they're permanent shortcuts |
See Also
Sources & References
Clearance colors, areas, Keypad Hacker tiers and materials from wiki Clearance page, PCGamer keypad hacker guide, and TechRaptor walkthroughs.
Editorial contribution
Presents the 5-tier clearance system as a single SVG flowchart with crafting requirements, gated areas, and route notes.
- abioticfactor.wiki.gg: Clearance →
- abioticfactor.wiki.gg: Keypad Hacker (Tier 3) →
- abioticfactor.wiki.gg: Keypad Hacker (Tier 4) →
- pcgamer.com: abiotic factor keypad hacker →
Sources support factual claims. Route choices, comparisons, and recovery guidance are editorial synthesis and may change with game updates.
Author
The editorial desk maintains source-backed Abiotic Factor route notes, item checks, and practical decision guides.
About our editorial team →