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 begin to 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.
2. Introduction
Collette Grabill
Information Security Architect
General Dynamics Presenter
Doretta Boazzo
Industrial Security Officer
General Dynamics Corporation Panelist
Emmet Eckman
Director, Northrop Grumman
Corporation
Panelist
3. Agenda
• What is a clearance
• How to obtain one
• Barriers to obtaining a clearance
• Benefits of being cleared
4. What is a Clearance?
• Established in 1965
• Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office
(DISCO)
• Processed personnel and industrial security
• Determine eligibility to U.S. & foreign classified
information
• Army, Navy and Air Force access to classified
information
6. Obtaining One
Individual is offered a position
that requires a clearance and
completes the e-QUIP
Investigation Conducted
Clearance Adjudicated &
Granted
The USG controls access. Not contractors.
7. Clearance Levels
• Clearance Levels
• C, S, TS
• Caveats
• SCI
• Special Access (High Need-to-know)
• SAP/SAR
• Other Department Clearances
• DoE, DHS
• Polygraphs
8. Getting a Clearance
• How do I get a clearance?
• Buy one at an auction
• What is the process?
• Complete SF 86 or E-QIP
• Your whole life history
• Truth!
9. Process breakdown
E-QIP
Personal Interview
Agency Checks:
FBI, CIA, DoD, INS
etc.
Inquiries: Credit,
Schools,
references, law
enforcement
Investigation
reviewed
Additional
Investigation
Investigation
closed
Results recorded
and sent to Agency
Adapted from OPM: Security
Clearance 101
10. Eligibility / Barriers
• Allegiance to the US
• Foreign National Associations
• Foreign Travel
• Personal Conduct
• Financial considerations
• Drug & Alcohol consumption
• Criminal Conduct
• Emotional/mental disorders
Adapted from OPM: Security Clearance 101
11. Social Media
• Once you post it, it could last forever
• Does it past the grandma test?
• Affiliated groups
• Ever heard of think before you speak?
• ? Before you Post
13. Clearance Benefits
• Cleared! Now what?
• work on the hardest, most difficult problems the
USG and our allies have.
• ?self driving cars are hard, try autonomous
landing of a UAV on an air craft carrier.
• Interchangeable between agencies
(sometimes)
14. NDA Forever
• Non-disclosure agreement lifetime
• Severe consequences
• Chelsea Manning, Reality Winter, Snowden…
Image from https://pixabay.com/p-429639/?no_redirect
DISCO ( Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office ( 1965)
DCAS (Defense Contract Administration Services
DSA ( Defense Supply Agency ) became DLA ( Defense Logistics Agency
DISCO transferred to DSS ( Defense Security Service) in 1980 consolidated into the Department of Defense Adjudication Facility in 2012
OPM( Office of Personnel Management) has FIS ( Federal Investigative Services handles investigations for over 100 federal agencies. 90% of gov’t background investigations are provided by OPM
Talk a little about the OPM breach here
Adjudicated --- a formal decision is made on whether the investigated individual is granted a clearance.
Types:
TS - Single scope ( SSBI) 10 years
Confidential/Secret (ANACI) or ( NACLC) 5 years
DOE Q = TS & L = Secret
An individual undergoes a background investigation if the position that she will hold requires one.
There are a series of steps that occur once the individual has agreed to the investigation and submits their e-QUIP ( long app about your entire life)
An FSO ( Facility Security Officer ) initiates the e-QIP in JPAS ( adjudication system)
How long does all this take? Sometimes years
The e-QIP itself is an arduous document.
Have you traveled outside the US ( dates, place & people)
Filed bankruptcy? Bad credit
Owe money on liens
If you can think of it, odds are they want to know about it
Ask about Social Media participation here
Who posts what?
Kittens and what else?
Would grandma be embarrassed looking at your posts?