What kind of security clearance do i have

Also, social media information gathered as part of a background check will not be retained unless it is considered "relevant" to the security status of the person in question. Click here to find current guidance on social media usage.

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Some need money, some can be blackmailed, some are disgruntled and want revenge and some are just sloppy. American industry is a prime target for espionage as well as domestic terrorism and white collar crime. A security clearance is technically a license issued by the head of a department, division or agency of the federal government.

The type of security clearance that one can be approved for also depends upon the department, division, or agency involved. For classification purposes, the types of security clearances are:. The Confidential security clearance is the easiest to obtain.

Whereas other classifications will almost always involve a background check by the Defense Department, clearance programs for a confidential classification may be operated by the agencies themselves, like the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI , the Department of Energy DoE , the Department of State, etc.

Secret sometimes called "Ordinary Secret" and Top Secret classifications almost always have some amount of military involvement in the clearance process. One of the differences between Secret and Top Secret is how "expansive" the background check is, i. SCI classifications are only cleared for a few people and the background investigation process as well as the continual monitoring is extremely intensive.

The amount of time it takes to receive a security clearance is usually between six months to one year, if all goes well. Rarely, if ever, are temporary clearances granted during the review process. The scope of investigative work needed to grant a security clearance depends on the level of clearance being requested.

There are three basic levels of security classification:. This refers to material, which, if improperly disclosed, could be reasonably expected to cause some measurable damage to the national security. The vast majority of military personnel are given this very basic level of clearance. This level needs to be reinvestigated every fifteen years.

The unauthorized disclosure of secret information could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security. In addition to and after the verification of the answers to the questions posed by the OPM e-QIP form, many investigations will include an interview as a routine part of the investigation process.

The applicant may be asked to answer questions related to their completed form. This helps the investigator gain clarity about incomplete or unclear answers on the form.

Declining the interview may result in the investigation, and related security clearance application, being canceled. DSS describes the background investigation process as including these steps:. The U. In addition, federal agencies generally fire, do not grant a security clearance, or disqualify individuals who have materially and deliberately falsified these forms, and this remains a part of the permanent record for future placements. The Defense Security Service issues the following statuses throughout the investigation to let candidates know what is happening during the process:.

Various reasons exist for why an applicant may be denied a security clearance. Every effort is made to determine whether the granting or continuing eligibility for a security clearance is consistent with the interests of national security.

A wide variety of factors may be investigated. The scope of a security clearance background investigation is likely to include the following personal characteristics, proclivities, and behavior.

Any indication that the applicant may have substantial problems in any of these areas will likely raise a flag indicating a need for further investigation and possible denial of the clearance. Unpaid bills, as well as criminal charges, will often disqualify an applicant for approval. However, bankruptcy will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and is not an automatic disqualifier.

Poor financial history is the number-one cause of rejection, and foreign activities and criminal records are also common causes for disqualification.

Depending on their mission and role in national security, many federal agencies require security clearances. Only federal agencies can grant security clearances. Examples of agencies that may require higher levels of clearance include:. Companies with contracts or grants with the federal government may require employees to have a security clearance to access sensitive information.

No company without a contract with the federal government can independently give or seek a security clearance, and no individual who is not hired by the federal government or a contract organization can get a security clearance.

Once the agency selects a candidate to hire, the applicant will receive a job offer contingent upon successfully obtaining a security clearance.