Learning Objective: Examine the process of achieving a U.S. security clearance and how this clearance will allow you to access future career opportunities Description: As you create your master plan for success, consider the variety of tools needed to gain a competitive edge in your industry. By familiarizing yourself with the extensive U.S. security clearance process, you can prepare to access opportunities that help you excel. This seminar will guide you through the process of getting and keeping a U.S. security clearance. We will also explore the future and emerging career opportunities that require various clearance levels. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: 1. Identify a series of career paths and associated tools to improve job marketability. 2. List a series of certification and association options. 3. Understand the security clearance process and associated misconceptions and mistakes.

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2. APPLYING FOR, AND
LEVERAGING
A SECURITY CLEARANCE
Doretta Boazzo
Industrial Security Officer
General Dynamics Mission Systems

3. WHAT IS A PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE?
It is the determination that an employee is
eligible for access to Government classified
information based on review of:
•Background Investigation- neighbors/coworkers/employers
•Personal interview
•Credit reports
•FBI records
•Local law enforcement records

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WHAT IS A SECURITY CLEARANCE INVESTIGATION?
Inquiry into an individual’s:
•Loyalty
•Character
•Trustworthiness
•Reliability
Conducting security clearance investigations is a key element in
protecting the Nation’s security & our servicemen & women on the
battlefield!

5. 5
WHY IS A SECURITY CLEARANCE NECESSARY?
To counter threats that may stem from:
•Foreign intelligence services
•Those who wish to overthrow the Government by illegal means
•Terrorist groups

6. 6
WHY IS A SECURITY CLEARANCE
NECESSARY? (continued)
To counter threats to individuals who:
• Are susceptible to pressure or improper
influence
• Have shown dishonesty or lack of integrity
• Have demonstrated behavior which may
indicate unreliability

7. 7
WHAT IS A PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE?
Determination that employee is eligible for access to
Government classified information based on review
of:
•Background Investigation- neighbors/coworkers/employers
•Personal interview
•Credit reports
•FBI records
•Local law enforcement records

8. 8
WHO ISSUES THE PERSONNEL SECURITY
CLEARANCE?
Department of Defense (DoD)

9. 9
WHEN MAY AN INDIVIDUAL BE PROCESSED
FOR A PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE?
When employed by a cleared contractor in a job requiring
access
to classified information.
DO CONTRACTORS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT,
DENY, OR REVOKE SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR THEIR
EMPLOYEES?
No. Authority is reserved by the Government.

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WHAT LEVEL OF SECURITY CLEARANCE
WILL I REQUIRE?
TOP SECRET-level clearance (and maybe with a Sensitive
Compartmented Information (SCI) access, with a Polygraph
required.)
100% disclosure required throughout entire process!
Loss or compromise of information at
TOP SECRET level could result in
exceptionally grave damage to
our Nation’s security.

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WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES TO HAVING
A SECURITY CLEARANCE?
--Gives a company the ability to compete for
US Government classified contracts
--Gives YOU a competitive edge to companies who may need
cleared employees

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WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GETTING A
SECURITY CLEARANCE?
Applicant must be:
• U. S. citizen
• Stable
• Trustworthy
• Reliable
• Of excellent character, judgment, & discretion
• Of unquestioned loyalty to the U. S.

13. 13
CRITERIA (continued)
Applicant must NOT:
• Advocate use of force or violence to overthrow Government by
unconstitutional means
• Be subject to physical, mental, or other forms of duress by a
foreign power
All applicants for a security clearance on some cleared contracts will
be required to produce proof of U. S citizenship;
i.e., original or certified copy of birth certificate, passport, original Report of
Birth Abroad by U. S. Parents, or original Certificate of Naturalization; DD 214
Release from Military, if applicable.

14. 14
HOW DOES THE SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESS
WORK?
FIRST - Candidates complete: (with assistance & instructions
from a Company’s Security Officer)
• Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF 86) Form
(100% disclosure required.)
• Fingerprint charts
• Release forms to authorize release of applicable records
THEN - Forms reviewed by the Security Officer for
completeness, & all forms submitted to Government to initiate
investigation

15. 15
HOW DOES PROCESS WORK? (continued)
As appropriate, investigation may include:
• Field interviews of references (in writing, by
telephone, or in person), to include co-workers,
employers, personal friends, educators, &
neighbors
• Records checks, such as former employers, courts,
& rental offices
• Personal interview with employee conducted by
Government investigator

16. 16
WHAT WOULD DISQUALIFY ME FOR
PROCESSING FOR A SECURITY CLEARANCE?
Persons disqualified include, but are
not limited to:
Unlawful users of, or those addicted to, a controlled
substance (drugs)
• Per Bond Amendment, January 1, 2008.

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WHAT ABOUT UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION?
All applicants for clearances are treated impartially & consistently
regardless of their:
• Gender
• Race
• Marital status
• Age
• Ethnic origin
• Religious affiliation
• Sexual orientation

18. 18
WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE TO
ENSURE ACCURACY AND PROTECT MY
PRIVACY?
Government employees involved in clearance process
must meet highest standards of integrity & personal
conduct
Information received during investigation scrupulously
protected under U. S. laws & statutes (New
Information Security statutes offer greater protection
since OPM website hacking.)
Government exercises greatest care to ensure accuracy
of all information collected

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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE INVESTIGATION &
POLYGRAPH IS COMPLETE?
Trained Government adjudicator reviews results & compares
them to established qualifying criteria for access to classified
national security information.
HOW LONG DOES THE CLEARANCE PROCESS TAKE?
Once Government receives complete clearance package:
Average 12 months

20. 20
WHAT WOULD CAUSE DELAYS IN CLEARANCE
PROCESSING?
Incomplete, inaccurate, or delayed completion of your security
forms
Special situations, such as overseas records, or difficulty in
locating records
Expanding investigation to clear up discrepancies or issues

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WILL I BE TOLD WHETHER A
CLEARANCE HAS BEEN GRANTED?
Yes. Government will notify the Company’s
Security Office.
That Security Office will notify you, and conduct
required security briefings.
CAN I APPEAL A CLEARANCE DENIAL?
Yes. If notified of intent to deny or revoke security
clearance, you have right to appeal this
determination.

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WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A
CLEARED PERSON?
A security clearance is a privilege, not a right.
In accepting a clearance for access to classified information, you
accept responsibility for:
• Complying with security regulations & procedures to protect
classified & other sensitive information
• Complying with standards of conduct required of persons
holding positions of trust
• Reporting to the Security Office or other appropriate
authority any information that comes to your attention
regarding known or suspected foreign intelligence activity
directed against yourself, a co-worker, your organization, or
any other national interest

23. 23
RESPONSIBILITIES (continued)
• Reporting to the Security Office or other appropriate
authority any information that raises doubts about the
reliability or trustworthiness of a co-worker or other
person with access to classified information
• Taking the time to gain an understanding of the foreign
threats that make these security measures necessary
Responsibility to protect classified information is a
LIFELONG obligation, even after you no longer
have an active security clearance.

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HOW LONG DOES A SECURITY
CLEARANCE REMAIN IN EFFECT?
Generally, as long as individual:
• Is continuously employed by a cleared
contractor
• Can reasonably be expected to require
access to classified information.
Periodic reinvestigations may be conducted
at intervals determined by the Government.

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WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION
OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE SECURITY
CLEARANCE PROCESS?
www.dcsa.mil
www.state.gov
www.gogovernment.org