Making a security clearance determination is all about risk mitigation – based on all of the information available, what is the likelihood an individual will keep classified information secure? Determinations are made based on something called the whole person concept – that means adjudicators consider the totality of an individual’s reliability and trustworthiness – a single issue, even one that may seem significant, will not tank an individual’s security clearance chances.
A couple of recent articles on ClearanceJobs address the issue of accidental security violations while holding a security clearance. Vaping is growing in prevalence, but the reality is that substances other than nicotine are often consumed. If you take a toke from a friend at a party, you had best be sure what you’re consuming. If you find you’ve accidentally partaken of something you shouldn’t, however, that doesn’t mean your clearance and your career are sunk.
Lying is one of the most sure-fire ways to tank your security clearance, and that includes any accidents that happen while you currently hold a security clearance. If you accidentally vape marijuana, eat a magic brownie, send a sensitive but unclassified document, or have any other security violation, be up front. Some security clearance holders falsely believe they no longer have to self report issues because they’re under continuous vetting. But even if continuous evaluation is in effect, that doesn’t mean self reporting policies are off the books. In fact, security clearance holders are required to report not just their own instances of violating an adjudicative criteria, but any violations they’re aware of in others.
