ericd@sco.COM (Sharky the Lanshark) (01/18/91)
From: ericd@sco.COM (Sharky the Lanshark)
Hello,
This might not be the correct newsgroup to mail, if not please
point me to a correct group.
I am looking for information on government security clearances.
Basically what organizations issue them for the government and
how one is obtained.
Our company is now selling system to the government, and I can
foresee a need that a clearance will be needed to work with some
of the agencies in the near future.
How long does the clearance process take, what type of background
checking is preformed? etc.....
While I am at it.. what are the different levels and what is required
to obtain a clearance at each level?
Thanks for any info you can give me, or for pointing me in the
correct direction.
Ericd
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=snorthc@relay.nswc.navy.mil (Stephen Northcutt) (01/19/91)
From: snorthc@relay.nswc.navy.mil (Stephen Northcutt) |> |> I am looking for information on government security clearances. |> Basically what organizations issue them for the government and |> how one is obtained. Different organizations. One size does not fit all. |> Our company is now selling system to the government, and I can |> foresee a need that a clearance will be needed to work with some |> of the agencies in the near future. Try to work around this if you can, clearances are expensive. Perhaps you can work with simulated data, be escorted etc. |> |> While I am at it.. what are the different levels and what is required |> to obtain a clearance at each level? At a simple level: confidential, secret, top secret. There are also subgroups. I think that a confidential or secret clearance can be issued fairly easily, a computer check as it were. After that the level of effort and the costs go up. The security people at the gov't orgs you need to work with with be able to help you when the time is right. A couple of suggestions: Start now to locate all the places you have ever lived or worked. Be prepared to explain any dead time between jobs. Fill out the forms as neatly and accurately as possible. Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. =================================================================== Stephen Northcutt (snorthc@relay.nswc.navy.mil) News Admin Work: (703) 663-7745 Network Guy Home: (703) 371-4184 OSI (ouch) Prototypes Paper Mail: Code E41, NSWC, Dahlgren VA 22448 Parallel Research
major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) (01/19/91)
From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) > From: ericd@sco.COM (Sharky the Lanshark) > This might not be the correct newsgroup to mail, if not please > point me to a correct group. I can give you some quick and dirty answers to your questions. However, an exchange of e-mail might serve you better - since I can provide you more details without tying up bandwith on a subject many may not be interested in........ > I am looking for information on government security clearances. > Basically what organizations issue them for the government and > how one is obtained. DIS (Department of Defense Investigative Service) is the agency responsible for granting military and civilian access to classified defense information. They also conduct the Background Investigations for the Personnel Security Program. Their Industrial Security Offices deal with civilian firms and civilian employees needing access for government contractural work. Probably, in your area, there may be a local DIS Office - they may even be in the phone book under US government agencies. Give them a call - they could tell you about proper request procedures. (For one 5-year period I was a US Army Counterintelligence Special Agent - one of our tasks was conducting Background Investigations) > Our company is now selling system to the government, and I can > foresee a need that a clearance will be needed to work with some > of the agencies in the near future. > How long does the clearance process take, what type of background > checking is preformed? etc..... It's a complex process and different levels of access require varying degrees of depth in background checks. A 'normal' access in the civilian world may take 3-6 months. It depends upon your personal background. I've seen it take up to 8 months. > While I am at it.. what are the different levels and what is required > to obtain a clearance at each level? Here's where a lot of people misunderstand the system. First, there are only three levels of classified defense information: CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, TOP SECRET. That's it - no others. Everything else are categories of access within these main categories (CRYPTO Access, NATO access, Codeword access, etc). First, DIS conducts a background investigation then grants you a CLEARANCE. Tha's all - just a clearance - then further, they grant you ACCESS to whatever level of classification you require. Further, just because you have a clearance and access to SECRET information doesn't mean you have access to everything SECRET! You must have a "Need-To-Know". I may be working on a SECRET document - you walk in - if you're not working on the same project - you are not authorized access to this document - even though you hold "access to SECRET" (most people incorrectly say, "oh yeah, I'm cleared for SECRET - tough shit, you're not). Also, having a Clearance is a privlidge(sp?) - not a right. The Secretary of Defense (via DIS) can deny you access and yank your clearance without legal recourse - for even the smallest mishandeling of classified information (compromise). I always said, "The DIS giveth, and the DIS taketh away!" > Thanks for any info you can give me, or for pointing me in the > correct direction. No problem - talk to me e-mail if you need more detailed information (non-classified of course) mike schmitt