What Is a Security Clearance Check?
A security clearance check is a background check of a person to determine whether he can be trusted with confidential information. Unauthorized release of such information could damage a company's competitiveness or endanger military and intelligence personnel. About 3 million people in the United States have security clearances at any given time.
Other People Are Reading
-
What is a Security Clearance Check Looking For?
-
A security clearance check examines a person's character, criminal history, emotional stability, trustworthiness, loyalty and reliability to see whether he should be allowed access to confidential information, most notably national security information.
Confidential and Secret Clearances
-
To receive a "Confidential" or "Secret" security clearance requires three types of background checks. A national agency check is a computer search of records and investigations that federal agencies have made of the person being investigated. A local agency check reviews criminal history with local law enforcement agencies where the person under investigation has lived, gone to school and worked. Finally, a financial check is made of the person's credit record. If granted, a "Secret" clearance is reviewed every 10 years and a "Confidential" clearance is reviewed every 15 years.
-
Top Secret Clearances
-
To receive a "Top Secret" clearance, all of the above investigations are made, plus field interviews are conducted with people who know the person under investigation. Also, employer, court and rental offices are checked in reference to the person and the person under investigation is interviewed. If granted, it is reviewed every five years.
Beginning the Check
-
The first step in the security clearance check is to have the person under investigation fill out a questionnaire that asks for information from the previous five years. The document needs to be filled out honestly--giving false information on a U.S. security document can result in a fine, jail time and a dishonorable discharge if the person who provided the false information is in the military.
How Long Does a Check Take?
-
The length of the process varies, but a general rule of thumb is that "Confidential" and "Secret" clearance takes one to three months and "Top Secret" security clearance check takes four to eight months. The more that has to be investigated, the longer the check will take. For instance, if the person being investigated traveled outside of the United States, it will take more time to investigate than if the person has spent his entire life in the United States.
Revoking Clearance
-
A security clearance is valid only as long as the person meets the qualifications. Any information that could lead to a revocation of the clearance is required to be reported by supervisors and investigators at the agency where the person is employed. Illegal or unethical personal conduct or sexual actions can lead to a review of the clearance and possible revocation.
-
