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OBTAINING YOUR DOD PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE
Much is said about classified contracts and the clearances required to work on them. Understanding the process of how these clearances are obtained is an important part of the business decision regarding whether to pursue this lucrative financial base. To the uninitiated decision maker, the security clearance obstacle sometime seems insurmountable.
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In this time of constant threats from a variety of foreign states and terrorist organizations who would like to collect information regarding advanced technology, military planning. diplomatic initiatives and many other government secrets, the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) is more important than ever to our nation’s security. The NISP was established in 1993 by President George H.W. Bush to consolidate the US’s effort to protect their industrial secrets and cutting edge technology. Personnel security clearances (PCL) are the primary method of controlling access to US classified information.
In order to obtain a PCL, an individual must first obtain sponsorship from a cleared US contactor or a federal agency. The level of information access necessary to do the job determines the level of PCL required. It could be CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET or TOP SECRET depending upon the sensitivity of the work being performed. The next step is the investigation into the person’s background, again varying levels of investigation is necessary depending upon the level of security clearance required. In some cases, an interview with an investigator, occasionally with the aid of a polygraph, will be conducted to obtain a complete and accurate report of investigation. Once the investigation is complete, it will be published and sent to the agency that will hold the clearance for adjudication of the information developed to determine the individual’s suitability, reliability and trustworthiness for access to classified US government information. Should the decision be made to allow the individual to obtain a PCL, the person will be required to sign a binding legal document known as a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This document carries a life-long obligation for the individual to never divulge classified information to anyone not authorized to possess this information and the individual also must have a need to know this information in order to perform their official duties. Once the NDA is executed, the person will be introduced to the methods of control, use, generation and distribution of classified materials under the control of the NISP. A major part following the initial briefings is known as Security Education, which continues for the cleared individual for the entire period of time that person is cleared and is accessing classified information. It requires at least an annual rebriefing of responsibilities, laws and sanctions appropriate for unauthorized disclosure of classified materials. Access to classified information carries with it significant responsibilities, however it also allows individuals to work in areas and disciplines that provide access to world class research and increased financial compensation over their coworkers who do not have a PCL.
AUTHOR: Joe Dickey is the President and co-founder of Government Initiatives, Incorporated. He is a retired Special Agent and Manager with the National Security Agency (NSA) with 37 years of military, federal and civilian security experience in DOD and the Intelligence Community. Joe is a subject matter expert in Antiterrorism, Physical and Industrial security, is a former adjunct faculty member of the National Cryptographic School and touring speaker in a number of venues. His background is in criminal, counterintelligence, industrial security, antiterrorism and polygraph. He is a commercial pilot, flight, firearms and tactics instructor with domestic and overseas experience in executive protection. He teaches a variety of security and first responder related courses.
Contact: Joe Dickey
Government Initiatives, Incorporated
(410) 758-8403
joe.dickey@starband.net
In order to obtain a PCL, an individual must first obtain sponsorship from a cleared US contactor or a federal agency. The level of information access necessary to do the job determines the level of PCL required. It could be CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET or TOP SECRET depending upon the sensitivity of the work being performed. The next step is the investigation into the person’s background, again varying levels of investigation is necessary depending upon the level of security clearance required. In some cases, an interview with an investigator, occasionally with the aid of a polygraph, will be conducted to obtain a complete and accurate report of investigation. Once the investigation is complete, it will be published and sent to the agency that will hold the clearance for adjudication of the information developed to determine the individual’s suitability, reliability and trustworthiness for access to classified US government information. Should the decision be made to allow the individual to obtain a PCL, the person will be required to sign a binding legal document known as a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This document carries a life-long obligation for the individual to never divulge classified information to anyone not authorized to possess this information and the individual also must have a need to know this information in order to perform their official duties. Once the NDA is executed, the person will be introduced to the methods of control, use, generation and distribution of classified materials under the control of the NISP. A major part following the initial briefings is known as Security Education, which continues for the cleared individual for the entire period of time that person is cleared and is accessing classified information. It requires at least an annual rebriefing of responsibilities, laws and sanctions appropriate for unauthorized disclosure of classified materials. Access to classified information carries with it significant responsibilities, however it also allows individuals to work in areas and disciplines that provide access to world class research and increased financial compensation over their coworkers who do not have a PCL.
AUTHOR: Joe Dickey is the President and co-founder of Government Initiatives, Incorporated. He is a retired Special Agent and Manager with the National Security Agency (NSA) with 37 years of military, federal and civilian security experience in DOD and the Intelligence Community. Joe is a subject matter expert in Antiterrorism, Physical and Industrial security, is a former adjunct faculty member of the National Cryptographic School and touring speaker in a number of venues. His background is in criminal, counterintelligence, industrial security, antiterrorism and polygraph. He is a commercial pilot, flight, firearms and tactics instructor with domestic and overseas experience in executive protection. He teaches a variety of security and first responder related courses.
Contact: Joe Dickey
Government Initiatives, Incorporated
(410) 758-8403
joe.dickey@starband.net
