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UNITED STATES Hierarchy See Also: Classified information in the United States A security clearance is generally granted to a particular ''level'' of clearance. The exception to this is levels above compartmentalized access, when an individual is given access to a particular ''type'' of data. Confidential The simplest security clearance to get. This level typically requires only a few weeks of investigation..........! Secret A Secret clearance, also known as Ordinary Secret, requires several weeks to a few months to fully investigate depending on the individual's activities. Some instances where individuals would take longer than normal to be investigated are many past residences, having residences in foreign countries or have relatives outside the United States. Top Secret Top Secret is a more stringent clearance. The process for obtaining the clearance can include Polygraph s. A Top Secret, or "TS," clearance, is often given as the result of a Single Scope Background Investigation, or SSBI. Top Secret clearances generally afford one access to data which affects national security, counterterrorism/counterintelligence, or other highly sensitive data. There are far fewer individuals with TS clearances than Secret clearances. Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) SCI clearances are assigned only after one has been through the rigors of a TS investigation. SCI, in contrast to other clearance levels, is assigned in "compartments." These compartments are necessarily separated from each other organizationally. So an individual with access to one compartment will not necessarily have access to another. Each compartment may include its own additional clearance process. Compartments of SCI (incomplete list):
Such compartmentalized clearances may be expressed as "John has a TS/SCI TK/Q clearance", where all clearance descriptors are spelled out verbally. Certain U.S. government departments may also establish special access programs (SAP) when vulnerability of specific information is exceptional; and the normal criteria for determining eligibility for access applicable to information classified at the same level are not deemed sufficient to protect the information from unauthorized disclosure. The number of people cleared for access to such programs is typically kept low. Information about Stealth Technology , for example, often requires such access. Requirements for a clearance The vetting process for a security clearance is usually undertaken only when someone hired or transferred into a position that requires access to classified information. The employee is typically Fingerprinted and asked to fill out a detailed life history form, including all foreign travel, which becomes a starting point for an investigation into the candidate's suitability. This process can include several types of investigations, depending on the level of clearance required:
If issues of concern surface during any phase of security processing, coverage is expanded to resolve those issues. At lower levels, ''interim'' clearances may be issued to individuals who are presently under investigation, but whom have passed some preliminary, automatic process. Such automatic processes include things such as Credit Check s, Felony checks, and so on. An interim clearance may be denied (although the final clearance may still be granted) for having a large amount of debt or having admitted to seeing a doctor for a mental health condition. Investigations conducted by one federal agency are no longer supposed to be duplicated by another federal agency when those investigations are current within 5 years and meet the scope and standards for the level of clearance required. The high level clearance process can be lengthy, sometimes taking a year or more. The long time needed for new appointees to be cleared has been cited as hindering U.S. Presidential Transition s. The security clearance forms are available at http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/formslibrary.do by searching for SF86 and SF85. Security briefings In the U.S., once the clearance is granted the candidate is briefed on "the proper safeguarding of classified information and on the criminal, civil, and administrative sanctions that may be imposed on an individual who fails to protect classified information from unauthorized disclosure." He or she is also required to sign an approved Non-disclosure Agreement (e.g. Form SF-312 ). High level clearances are reviewed periodically and any "adverse information" reports received at any time can trigger a review. When a cleared person leaves their job they are often "debriefed" -- reminded of their ongoing obligations to protect the information they were allowed to see. Individuals who have had security clearances revoked In the post World War II era there have been several highly publicized, and often controversial, cases of government officials having their security clearances revoked. These officials include: UNITED KINGDOM Clearance is checked at four levels depending on the classification of materials that can be accessed: Basic Check (BC) Not a formal security clearance. A basic check of the person's identity. A pre-requisite for all other levels of clearance. Those with BC can view materials at RESTRICTED and possibly CONFIDENTIAL. Security Check (SC) The most widely held clearance and allows uncontrolled access to material up to and including SECRET. This clearance also allows occasional and controlled access to TOP SECRET material. Developed Vetting (DV) The highest level of clearance for those needing long-term and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET information. Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) Required for personnel whose work involves close proximity to public figures, gives access to information or material vulnerable to terrorist attack or involves unrestricted access to certain government or commercial establishments. Does not allow access to any classified documents. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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