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.

1. Dermawan
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean
massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam
felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim.
The Security Clearance
Process:
What you Need to Know
Doretta Boazzo
Industrial Security Officer
General Dynamics Mission Systems

2. 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

3. Who Issues The Personnel Security Clearance?
Department of Defense (DoD)

4. 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. 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. 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. 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.

8. When May An Individual Be Processed For A
Personnel Security Clearance?
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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. What Are The Criteria For Getting A
Security Clearance?
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.

12. 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

13. How Does The Security Clearance
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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. What Are My Responsibilities As A
Cleared Person?
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.

22. 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.

23. Who Can I Contact For More Information Or
Concerns About The Security Clearance Process?
www.dss.mil
www.state.gov
www.gogovernment.or
g