Are you hoping to serve your country in a career that requires a security clearance? If you want to land a role that requires access to classified information, you will need to undergo the security clearance background investigation process.
So, if you need to get a security clearance and you’re wondering how to get there, here are some important things to know before you start the process.
1. DIFFERENT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION TIERS
Depending on the level of risk for the position you’re seeking, the background investigation will have a different level of intensity. There are currently five tiers:
- Tier 1 (NACI): Low Risk, Non-Sensitive, including HSPD-12 Credentialing
- Tier 2 (MBI): Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT)
- Tier 3 (NACLC & ANACI): Non-Critical Sensitive National Security, including Secret & “L” access eligibility
- Tier 4 (BI): High Risk Public Trust (HRPT)
- Tier 5 (SSBI): Critical Sensitive and Special Sensitive National Security, including Top Secret, SCI, and “Q” access eligibility
The Trusted Workforce 2.0 reform of the security clearance process will reduce the number of tiers to three – it will consolidate the first and second and third and fourth tiers to return to the more recognized terms/tiers: Public Trust, Secret, and Top Secret.
2. KNOW THE ADJUDICATIVE GUIDELINES
While you should be aware of all 13 of the Adjudicative Guidelines as you complete your SF-86, there are a few that cause for security clearance denial more frequently than others, and some that are more confusing.
Surprising adjudicative criteria may be things like Sexual Behavior or Misuse of IT Systems. Don’t worry, the government isn’t worried about your Pornhub habit (unless you’re viewing inappropriate material or using a workplace device). Misuse of IT systems most frequently comes up from using a workplace device for a security violation or inappropriate way. Keep in mind that the disclaimer that appears when you log-in about your activity being monitored is real. And while ‘Outside Activities’ generally refers to foreign investments, having an OnlyFans account is another story and may cause blackmail concerns.
3. BE AWARE OF PUBLIC FACING SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Continuous Vetting is the future of the personnel security investigative process and includes automated record checks and review of Publicly Available Electronic Information (PAEI). While social media information can be accessed as a part of the process, it’s not currently a part of it – but that doesn’t preclude an agency from scanning publicly available information, and in the near future it could be a part of the investigation process.
Better safe than sorry and operate with caution online.
4. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
When it comes to starting the process of filling out your SF-85 or SF-86, do your research and know what to expect. Request a copy of your credit report to see if there are any financial issues to mitigate before you submit and consult with a security clearance attorney if there are other issues you foresee holding your background investigation up. Subscribe to the ClearanceJobsBlog, and check out our other tips for starting the security clearance process.
5. EXERCISE PATIENCE
Sources can only shed light on possibilities if your investigation is taking longer than usual. Exercise patience when you are awaiting adjudication. Every situation is different, and for some, the process can seem to drag on for a long time. Usually, that just means that there are items that need to be explored. And when in doubt, don’t be afraid to check on your status.
