Learning Objective: Examine the process of achieving a U.S. security clearance 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: a. Identify a series of career paths and associated tools to improve job marketability. b. List a series of certification and association options. c. Understand the security clearance process and associated misconceptions and mistakes.

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2. The Security Clearance Process:
What You Need to Know
BEYA 2020

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

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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!

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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