Responding to a DOHA Form (When You Don’t Want a Hearing)
Most defense contractor applicants for security clearance*, who receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR), have the choice of requesting a hearing before a Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA)...
View ArticleFederal Investigative Standards – Updated, But Perhaps Not Improved
Speculation continues as to the creation of a new agency to oversee the security clearance process. And while efforts to reform the Federal Investigative Standards have been underway for more than five...
View ArticleSecurity Clearance Costs Go Up at OPM
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) security clearance costs are going up. That doesn’t have a major effect on the average clearance holder, but it does contribute to the growing trend to reduce the...
View ArticleImproving Personnel Security Background Investigations
Ask any background investigator, and they’ll tell you there’s a compelling need for major changes to the way the field component of Personnel Security Investigations (PSIs) is staffed, organized and...
View ArticleSecurity Executive Agent Directive 5 – Cyber Vetting Security Clearance Holders
On May 12, 2016 the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) issued SEAD 5, “Collection, Use, And Retention of Publicly Available Social Media Information in Personnel Security Background...
View ArticleHow Psychological Health Affects Your Security Clearance
May is “Mental Health Awareness Month,” a good time to revisit the mental health question (Question 21) on the Standard Form 86 (SF86), “Questionnaire for National Security Positions.” I wrote my...
View Article2016 Security Clearance Policy Year in Review
What affected security clearance policy and processes in 2016? Learn all of the details in a month-by-month break-down of key security clearance events. January Establishment of NBIB—The White House...
View ArticleLegal Prostitution and Security Clearances
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. What does this have to do with the security clearances of law abiding U.S. citizens? Nothing, unless you’re planning a visit to...
View ArticleNew Security Clearance Criteria Released in SEAD 4
Executive Order 12968, “Access to Classified Information,” issued in late 1995, mandated for the first time common security clearance Adjudicative Guidelines (AG) for the entire Government. The AG...
View ArticleNew Dual Citizenship Guideline for Security Clearance Eligibility
On December 10, 2016 the Director of National Intelligence approved Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4, “National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.” These new Adjudicative Guidelines (AG)...
View ArticleRelevance of Criminal Conduct and Security Clearances
AFFECTED PERSONS The “Criminal Conduct” criterion in the Adjudicative Guidelines For Determining Eligibility for Access To Classified Information affects security clearance applicants who have been...
View ArticleHow to Prepare for a Security Clearance Polygraph Examination
Some federal clearances for Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) and other Special Access Programs (SAP) require a polygraph screening examination in addition to a Single Scope Background...
View ArticleChanges to the Security Clearance Mental Health Question
Over the past few decades the security clearance mental health question on the most commonly used national security clearance application form (SF86) has become increasingly complex as the form itself...
View ArticleSecurity Clearance Policy Updates
Four significant pending changes to federal personnel security policy were mentioned in the published minutes of the last NISPPAC meeting. These changes were reported by Charles Sowell, the former...
View ArticleAaron Alexis and the Failure of the Federal Security Clearance Process
A lot has been reported over the past several days about the failure of the federal security clearance process as it relates to Aaron Alexis, the Washington Navy Yard shooter who murdered 12 people on...
View ArticleSecurity Clearance Investigation Process Updates and Policies
A round-up of the news, security clearance policies, and government updates of 2013. January DOD CAF Consolidation—Operational consolidation of 7 of the 11 DOD Central Adjudication Facilities (CAFs)...
View ArticleChanges to Interim Secret Clearance Processes
For close to two years the Defense Security Service (DSS) has been advising stakeholders about an upcoming change to how interim Secret clearance decisions will be made. It seems that they are now...
View ArticleSecurity Clearance Policy and Process Changes – 2014
What major changes of 2014 affected security clearance policy and processes? Learn all of the details in a month-by-month break-down of key security clearance events. January Interim Clearances—The...
View ArticleNew SF86 and New Adjudicative Guidelines – Security Clearance Policy That...
Earlier this month we brought to you our comprehensive round-up of all of the security clearance policy changes and highlights of 2014. Here’s a round-up of things that didn’t happen. New Adjudicative...
View ArticleSCARE, CORRECT and Enhanced Security Act – Security Clearance Legislation...
Earlier this month we brought to you our comprehensive round-up of all of the security clearance policy changes and highlights of 2014. Here’s a round-up of things that didn’t happen. Legislation That...
View ArticleUnderstanding the DOHA Pre-Hearing Process
Several years ago I wrote an article about “Rebutting and Appealing Security Clearance Denials.” Since then things have changed regarding federal contractor clearances, but much of the information in...
View ArticleDOHA Personal Appearance Tips – What to Expect at a DOHA Hearing
In an article, “Understanding the DOHA Pre-Hearing Process,” I wrote about what happens after a contractor applicant receives a Statement of Reasons (SOR) explaining why the Government intends to deny...
View ArticleUnderstanding and Responding to a Security Clearance Statement of Reasons
When the security clearance investigation of a contractor employee is completed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the investigative file, which is called a Report For Adjudication (RFA),...
View ArticleNational Background Investigations System (NBIS) Establishes New Way of...
The next two to three years will bring dramatic changes to the way personnel security investigations (PSIs) are conducted by the government.
View ArticleRecent Changes to Public Trust Investigations
Recent changes to background investigations for Public Trust positions require more information - but the inconsistency of the process leaves questions as to how effective these changes really are.
View ArticleHow Many Days Do You Have to Respond to a SOR?
Suspense dates for answering SORs might seem a somewhat mundane, esoteric subject, but for someone who deals regularly with SOR responses, it’s clear that security clearance applicants are treated very...
View ArticleVideo Teleconferencing vs. In-Person DOHA Security Clearance Hearings
The Defense Office of Hearings And Appeals (DOHA) has held hundreds of VTC hearings since 2004, and they currently conduct a significant percentage of hearings by VTC.
View ArticleDue Process For Denying or Revoking Security Clearance
Due process procedures for denying or revoking security clearances vary from agency to agency and can require patience and a better understanding of the forms and common delays.
View ArticleWhy Many Letters of Recommendation Still Lead to Clearance Denial
Over the years, I’ve seen scores of recommendation letters written for security clearance applicants who didn’t bother to provide any guidance to the people who wrote the letters. Most of these letters...
View ArticleDrug Involvement and Security Clearances
When does drug abuse become a security concern? Using illegal drugs a few months prior to submitting a clearance application form can be considered current use. A 2003 national survey of drug use...
View ArticleDo Written Interrogatories Translate to Clearance Denial?
As with SORs, it’s wise to get professional help in answering Interrogatories. It’s not just a clearance a stake; a denial or revocation could negatively affect your career and future career...
View ArticleThe Impact of Delinquent Debt on Security Clearances
No doubt, financial problems are the number one killer of security clearances. Our special three part series on what delinquent debt can do to clearances, and how to get "good" in the eyes of...
View ArticleMajority of DOHA Appeals Still Result in Clearance Denial
If your security clearance is denied or revoked, you have a right to an appeal. However, an appeal at the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) may not be what you think it is.
View ArticleSexual Behavior and Security Clearances
Many people have concerns about how their past sexual indiscretions may negatively affect their security clearance eligibility. Most sexual misconduct is either not a potentially disqualifying...
View ArticlePersonal Conduct and Security Clearances
When an applicant has been involved in multiple incidents of conduct that individually fall below the threshold for denying a clearance, the conduct can be evaluated in its totality to determine the...
View ArticleAlcohol Consumption and Security Clearances
When does drinking become a security concern? Alcohol is legal and its consumption, regardless of quantity, does not by itself trigger a security concern.
View ArticleMental Health and Final Security Clearances
Mental health issues can adversely affect an individual's eligibility for a federal security clearance, but many clearance applicants worry unnecessarily and sometimes choose not to seek treatment due...
View ArticleChanges To DOHA VTC Hearing Procedures
VTC hearings can represent significant cost savings and offer more flexibility in the process. But they also include downsides.
View ArticleHandling Classified National Security Information
Deliberate or negligent failure to comply with rules and regulations for protecting classified or other sensitive information raises doubt about an individual's trustworthiness and ability to safeguard...
View ArticleWhen a Security Clearance Comes with Conditions
Yes, conditional clearances can be granted. But with the implementation of continuous vetting and changing roles within government agencies, the process can be confusing.
View ArticlePublic Trust Position or Sensitive Position
Even the government sometimes misuses the term public trust when they mean "sensitive position" - or something else.
View ArticleDCSA and ODNI Need a Security Clearance Ombudsman
The lengthy security clearance delays and the lack of government response highlights the need for an ombudsmen to support the system.
View ArticleSubstantial Evidence: What Is It And Why Does It Matter?
Substantial evidence is the standard of proof used for security clearance eligibility determinations. Like other standards of proof, it isn’t well defined.
View ArticleRap Back Program and Security Clearance Continuous Vetting
Rap Back is short for “Record of Arrest and Prosecution Background.” Here's how information gets from the FBI to the security clearance continuous vetting program.
View ArticleDrug Use and Involvement -Excluding Marijuana – In the New Security Clearance...
Section 12 of the new Personnel Vetting Questionnaire has 5 threshold questions about drug use and other involvement.
View ArticleMarijuana Use and Involvement in the New Security Clearance Questionnaire
Part A, Section 13 covers Marijuana and Cannabis Derivative Use. While the form seems to streamline some of the reporting requirements, the simple word 'receive' could trip up more applicants than ever.
View ArticleThe Case for Equal Reporting Standards in U.S. Security Clearances
People with Top Secret clearances are not required to be more trustworthy than people with Secret clearances.
View ArticleBeware: Bogus AI-Generated Security Clearance Books
With AI obviously in the mix, book buyers will have to exercise caution when purchasing a book on security clearances.
View ArticleBeware Well-Intentioned Security Clearance ‘Advice’
Many people who offer security clearance advice in person or on a weblog or forum are well intentioned, but they often base their advice on their own personal experience as a clearance applicant....
View ArticleNew DCSA Due Process and Appeals Procedure
An important change in due process allows applicants a due process hearing with DCSA prior to a clearance denial or revocation decision for DoD civilians, military servicemembers, and SCI contractor...
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