want a security clearance? this is what you need to know

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Want a Security clearance? This is what you need to knowTed ImesLindsay May

Security Clearance LevelsTop Secret (TS): The highest level of classification of material on a national level. Such material would cause "exceptionally grave damage" to national security if publicly available. Secret (S): Such material would cause "serious damage" to national security if publicly available. Confidential (C): Such material would cause "damage" or be "prejudicial" to national security if publicly available. Restricted: Such material would cause "undesirable effects" if publicly available. Some countries do not have such a classification. Unclassified (U): Technically not a classification level, but is used for government documents that do not have a classification listed above. Such documents can be viewed by those without security clearance.

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All About Security ClearancesTHE SECURITY CLEARANCEEligibility for access to classified information, commonly known as a security clearance, is granted only to those for whom an appropriate personnel security background investigation has been completed. It must be determined that the individuals personal and professional history indicates;loyalty to the United Statesstrength of charactertrustworthiness, honesty, reliabilitydiscretion, and sound judgmentfreedom from conflicting allegiances and potential for coercionand a willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling, and protection of classified information.


All About Security ClearancesEligibility will be granted only where facts and circumstances indicate access to classified information is clearly consistent with the national security interests of the United States.Access to classified information will be terminated when an individual no longer has need for access.4Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

All About Security ClearancesIf the position requires access to classified information, the position will be given an appropriate security classification.Individuals applying to these positions must undergo a personnel security background investigation.5Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

All About Security ClearancesTHE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONThe personnel security background investigation begins after an individual has been given a conditional offer of employment and has completed the appropriate security questionnaire, usually a Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, and other required forms. It is required that job candidates complete the questionnaire and other required forms thoroughly, honestly, and with candor.


SF86 Questionnaire for National Security PositionsPurposeUsed by the U.S. Government to conduct background investigations, reinvestigations and continuous evaluations of individuals under consideration or retention of classified security positions under Executive Order 12968.


The Investigative ProcessInquire is also made about your adherence to security requirements, trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, etc.Federal agency checks may also be made on your spouse, cohabitants and immediate family members.8Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

Are You Clearable?The clearance process looks at the "whole person" to verify character, reliability, judgment, and trustworthiness. Elements of a security check:Criminal background investigation criminal history records for the most recent ten years are reviewedVerification of Citizenship and date/place of birth individuals must be a citizen to receive a security clearanceEducation all degrees and diplomas are verifiedEmployment all employment within the most recent seven years are verifiedFinancial status financial status within the most recent seven years are verifiedVerification of public records includes divorces, bankruptcies, and other civil and criminal court actionsReferences former spouse (if applicable) and four character interviews (two not listed by you)


What can prevent me from receiving a security clearance?With rare exceptions the following will result in a clearance denial:criminal conviction resulting in incarceration for a period of one year or morecurrent unlawful use of or addiction to a controlled substancedetermined to be mentally incompetent by a mental heath professional approved by DoDdischarge or dismissal from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditionsunwillingness to surrender a foreign passport

The 2005 "Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information" list various conditions under 13 separate guidelines that could result in clearance denial.


Additional ObligationsAdditional paperwork reporting of new foreign contacts, reporting foreign travel (sometimes required in advance), reporting other adverse informationPossible restrictions on where you can travelYou probably cant talk about the details of your job and, in some cases, you may not even want to make it known that you have a clearance-required job. 11Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP)Widely misunderstood as classification levels or specific clearances are the terms "Sensitive Compartmented Information" (SCI)[ and "Special Access Program" (SAP)The terms refer to methods of handling certain types of classified information that relate to specific national-security topics or programs whose existence may not be publicly acknowledged, or the sensitive nature of which requires special handling.


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SCI or SAP?The paradigms for these two categories, SCI originating in the intelligence community and SAP in the Department of Defense, addresses two key logistical issues encountered in the day-to-day control of classified information: Individuals with a legitimate need-to-know may not be able to function effectively without knowing certain Top Secret facts about their work. However, granting all such individuals a blanket DoD clearance (often known as a "collateral" clearance) at the Top Secret level would be undesirable, not to mention prohibitively expensive.13Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

SCI or SAP?The government may wish to limit certain types of sensitive information only to those who work directly on related programs, regardless of the collateral clearance they hold. Thus, even someone with a collateral DoD Top Secret clearance cannot gain access unless it is specifically granted.SAP and SCI implementation are roughly equivalent, and it is reasonable to discuss their implementation as one topic. For example, SAP material needs to be stored and used in a facility like the SCIF.


Need-to-KnowDepending on the level of classification, there are different rules controlling the level of clearance needed to view such information, and how it must be stored, transmitted, and destroyed. Access is restricted on a "need to know" basis. Simply possessing a clearance does not automatically authorize the individual to view all material classified at that level or below that level. The individual must present a legitimate "need to know" in addition to the proper level of clearance.


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Need-to-Know


Types of Cleared Jobs17Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

Questions?18Security Clearances...What You Need to Know

Useful LinksSecurity Clearance FAQshttp://www.aawdc.org/cyber/content_files/career_content/security_clearance_faq.pdf


want a security clearance? this is what you need to know

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