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Security Clearance Information
Most positions at Westech International, Inc. require a security clearance. Employment may be contingent upon your ability to successfully obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
What is a security clearance?
A security clearance is a status granted by agencies of the United States Government that determines a person’s ability to access and view documents of national security. A security clearance investigation is an inquiry into an individual’s loyalty, character, trustworthiness, and reliability to ensure that they are eligible for access to national security information.
The investigation focuses on an individual’s character and conduct, emphasizing such factors as honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, financial responsibility, criminal activity, emotional stability, and other similar and pertinent areas. All investigations consist of checks of national records and credit checks; some investigations also include interviews with individuals who know the candidate for the clearance as well as the candidate himself/herself.
What is a Personnel Security Investigation (PSI)?
A PSI is an inquiry into an individual's loyalty, character, trustworthiness, and reliability to ensure that he or she is eligible to access classified information or for an appointment to a sensitive position or position of trust.
Who conducts security clearance background investigations?
Security Clearance Background Investigations for the Department of Defense (DOD) are conducted by the Defense Security Service (DSS). This includes background investigations for military personnel, civilian personnel who work for DOD, and military contractors. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts Security Clearance Investigations for most other branches of the Federal Government.
Who decides whether a security clearance or access to a sensitive position is granted?
An adjudicator, who is employed by one of the DOD Central Adjudication Facilities (CAFs), reviews the results of a PSI and compares it to established qualifying criteria for granting access to classified information or for an appointment to a sensitive position or position of trust.
What is an interim security clearance?
An interim security clearance is one that is issued quickly to an individual for use at a specific job. Unlike regular clearances, interim clearances expire immediately after the individuals leave the job that required the clearance. Interim security clearances are generally of a low level and can be given within 30 days of inquiry. An interim is issued once a review of the application is completed and the candidate is determined eligible.
An interim clearance allows a person to have access to collateral classified information (at the level requested without a caveat) whiles his or her final clearance is being processed. Interim Secrets are issued automatically and can be denied. A denial, however, does not mean that a final will not be issued. It means there is something on the application which must be first reviewed and investigated fully. Interim Top Secret clearances must be requested by the government customer contractor. An Interim Top Secret is equal to a final Secret.
What are the levels of security clearances and how are they measured?
According to the United States government, levels of security are measure by the amount of damage that would be caused to the United States if that information were to be released to the public or to a foreign source. Security clearances can be issued by many United Stated government agencies, including the Department of Defense, including all branches of the military, the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice and the NSA or CIA.Major Department of Defense clearances include Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, Top Secret with Single Scope Background Investigation (TS-SSBI) and Top Secret with Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS SCI).
To have access to classified information, one must possess the necessary two elements: A level of security clearance, at least equal to the classification of the information, and, an appropriate "need to know" the information in order to perform their duties. An individual may have a Top Secret clearance but this would not necessarily give them access to all Top Secret information. They would also need to have the ‘need to know’.
It is also worth mentioning that the Department of Defense (DOD) operates its security program separate from other government agencies, with its own procedures and standards. A Top Secret Clearance with the Department of Energy, for example, would not necessarily transfer to DOD.
Classified information is divided into one of three categories:
Confidential: This refers to information or material, which if improperly disclosed could be reasonably expected to cause some measurable damage to the national security.
Secret: The unauthorized disclosure of secret information or material is which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security.
Top Secret: Applied to information or material the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.
In addition, there is some classified information is so sensitive that even the extra protection measures applied to Top Secret information are not sufficient. This information is known as "Sensitive Compartmented Information" (SCI) or Special Access Programs (SAP). These require additional approval to be given access to this information.
"For Official Use Only" is not a security classification. It is used to protect information covered under the Privacy Act, and other sensitive data.
What are the levels of security clearance, and how are they measured?
Security clearances can be issued by many United States government agencies, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency. Department of Energy clearances include the “Q,” “R” and “L” levels. Most security clearances are issued by the Department of Defense and include Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.
Who issues clearances?
The Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) in Columbus, OH issues clearances once all leads on a personnel security clearance (Personnel Clearance) investigation are complete and an applicant is considered eligible for a Personnel Clearance.
