General Security Clearance FAQs

General Security Clearance FAQs

What is a security clearance?

Many of the open positions advertised by ACS require a personnel security clearance granted by the United States Government. A security clearance is a determination by the US Government that a person is eligible for access to classified information. The term "eligibility for access" means the same thing as security clearance and is used in Government record systems (i.e., JPAS, DISS, Scattered Castles) and by personnel security specialists.

What are the security clearance levels?

Security clearances can be issued by many US Government agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC) agencies, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Energy (DoE), and the Department of Justice (DoJ). The DoD, which issues more than 80% of all clearances, and most other agencies have three levels of security clearances:
  1. Confidential
  2. Secret
  3. Top Secret
DoE primarily issues "L," and "Q" Access Authorizations, which are roughly equivalent to Secret and Top Secret clearances, respectively.

What is a collateral clearance?

The term "collateral clearance" is used to describe a security clearance without any special access authorizations.

What is a "special access authorization"?

Access to classified national security information is based on an appropriate level of security clearance (Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret) and a "need-to-know." Need-to-know can be either a formal or an informal determination. All classified national security information exists within one of these two "need-to-know" domains -- formal or informal. Information that exists within the domain of information need-to-know is referred to as "collateral classified" information. Information that requires a formal need-to-know determination (also known as a special access authorization) exists within Special Access Programs (SAPs), including Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Restricted Data (RD).
Acronyms such as ATOMAL, CNWDI, COMSEC, COSMIC, CRYPTO, NOFORN, ORCON, SAP, SCI, RD, SIOP-ESI, SPECAT, SIOP-ESI, etc., are not clearances. They are categories of classified information, some of which have extra need-to-know restrictions or require special access authorizations. For example, COSMIC stands for "Control of Secret Material in an International Command." COSMIC Top Secret is the term used for NATO Top Secret Information. There are many such markings (caveats) stamped or printed on classified material, but most are only acronyms denoting special administrative handling procedures.

Special Access Programs

A Special Access Program is established for a specific class of classified information that imposes safeguarding and access requirements that exceed those normally required for information at the same classification level. At ACS, you may be considered for a position on a SAP. In this case, you will be made aware of the SAP requirements for enhanced security processing as part of your special access authorization consideration.

How can I be granted "Sensitive Compartmented Information" (SCI) access?

In order to be considered for SCI eligibility, an applicant must first be nominated for an SCI billet, complete a background investigation, and be approved by the government agency that controls the information. Since SCI encompasses several categories of compartmented information, Central Adjudication Facilities (CAFs) grant eligibility for access to SCI, and once this eligibility has been established, a person can be granted a special access authorization for a specific category of information within SCI. SCI access eligibility is divided into 3 sensitivity levels and each has a different investigative requirement:
  1. Single Scope Background investigation without polygraph
  2. Single Scope Background investigation with Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph
  3. Single Scope Background investigation with Full Scope (FS) polygraph

What type of information is requested on a security clearance application?

The application form, Standard Form 86, or SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions), requires personal identifying data, as well as information regarding citizenship, residence, education, and employment history; family and associates; and foreign connections/travel. Additionally, it asks for information about criminal records, illegal drug involvement, financial delinquencies, certain types of mental health treatment, alcohol-related incidents and counseling, military service, prior clearances and investigations, civil court actions, misuse of computer systems, and subversive activities. The number of years of information required on the form varies from question to question -- many require 7 years, some require 10 years, and others are not limited to any period of time. A PDF version of the SF-86 form is available on the OPM website; however, most applicants will use the web-based version called e-QIP (Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing).

How long does a security clearance remain in effect?

Generally, as long as cleared individuals remain employed by a cleared contractor or government agency and are reasonably expected to require access to classified information, their personnel security clearance will remain in effect, provided they comply with Periodic Reinvestigation requirements. Currently reinvestigations are required at 6-year intervals for Top Secret clearances, 10-year intervals for Secret clearances, and 15-year intervals for Confidential clearances.

When is a security clearance terminated?

A clearance is terminated when a person permanently leaves a position for which the clearance was granted. Cleared individuals who no longer require access to classified information, but who remain continuously employed by the same cleared contractor (or government agency) and do not anticipate future access can have their clearances administratively downgraded or withdrawn until such time that they require access again, provided their security clearance investigation has not gone out-of-date. Under such circumstances, the clearance can be administratively restored.

What do the terms "active," "current," and "expired" mean?

People either have a clearance or they don't have a clearance. The Personnel Security Investigation (PSI) on which the clearance is based can be either "current" or "out-of-date." People commonly use the terms "active," "current," and "expired" to mean:
  1. Active: a clearance that has not been terminated
  2. Current: a terminated clearance that is still eligible for reinstatement
  3. Expired: a terminated clearance that is no longer eligible for reinstatement

What are polygraphs?

Polygraphs are instruments that measure physiological responses (respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and galvanic resistance) to stress. Among other purposes, polygraphs are used to help determine an individual's eligibility for a special assignment or access to specifically designated information protected within SAPs. They are not generally used for collateral security clearances, unless they are necessary to resolve serious credible derogatory information that cannot be resolved through conventional investigative means. Polygraph examinations are conducted as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, other forms of investigation that may be required under the circumstances. Polygraph exams are only administered by agencies with approved personnel security polygraph programs and these exams are only conducted by government trained and certified examiners.

What are the differences between Counterintelligence, Lifestyle, and Full Scope Polygraphs?

Within the context of security clearances, the purpose of a polygraph exam is to assist in determining whether or not an applicant can be trusted with sensitive information. Polygraph screening exams are governed by Security Executive Agent Directive 2 and Intelligence Community Policy Guidance 704.6. The exams used to determine eligibility for special assignment or special access are limited to two types of polygraph exams, and either one or both exams may be administered.

Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraphs

A Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph is the most common type of polygraph exam. A CI polygraph asks the candidate questions limited to those necessary to determine whether the examinee ever had involvement with or knowledge of:
  1. Espionage
  2. Sabotage
  3. Terrorist activities
  4. Deliberate damage of US Government information systems
  5. Intentional compromise of US Government classified information
  6. Secret contact with a foreign national or representative
  7. Unauthorized disclosure or removal of classified information

Lifestyle Polygraphs

A Lifestyle Polygraph asks the candidate questions concerning their personal life and conduct. A Lifestyle Polygraph can also attempt to look for issues in a person's private life for which he or she might be susceptible to blackmail or coercion. DoD Lifestyle Polygraph exam questions cover the following topics:
  1. Involvement in a serious crime
  2. Personal involvement with illegal drugs during the last seven years
  3. Deliberate falsification of the security forms

Full Scope (FS) Polygraphs

A Full Scope (FS) Polygraph is a combination of both the Counterintelligence and Lifestyle polygraphs. FS polygraph exams are also known as Expanded Scope Polygraph exams.




Disclaimer: Content in this article is represented "as is." ACS provides no warranties, express or implied, including the implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose, merchant ability, and non-infringement. Content on in this article may contain errors; ACS assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this content.

    • Related Articles

    • Pre-Employment Screening and Clearance Verification

      Assured Consulting Solutions (“ACS”) is committed to employing the best qualified candidates while engaging in recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. It is the policy of ACS to provide equal employment ...