Security Clearance

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I was reading about security clearance in another thread and I was wondering what exactly does it mean and how do you go about getting it? or does your employer get it for you? and is it worth getting?

Also what is DV?

Thanks

 

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Security Clearance could possibly mean various things in various companies, etc. Commonly, it means clearance from the government (basically that you arent a terrorist, etc).

There are actually various levels of clearance (at least at my work). Basic (which I got) is just really a confirmation of who you are it seems. Higher levels are more thorough checks of your identity and background.

There really is no point in getting it unless you're employer requires it. And if they do, they will pay for it, and know what to do to get it. Our basic level clearance is only valid within the company (even though its valid for two years), so its worthless when moving to another company (although you can always mention that you've been basic cleared in the past).

 

When I applied for my current job, they mentioned that I would require Security Clearance.

It is the completion of lots of forms, which detail all of your activity, personal, financial and family.

You also have to complete the Offical Secrets Act and await your results.

I believe, I require level 3 Security Clearance to undertake the work in my current role. Once you are Security Cleared you are able to access the Government Network, Servers and Bespoke Software.

To obtain level 3 Security Clearance, you need:

1. No criminal convictions or anything on your record, not even a warning.
2. If you have been declared bankrupt, this will probably count against you.
3. You need to have at minimum five years worth of continous employment.
4. You need to give family details, and hence they might also be checked.
5. You previous employers have to give Character References on you.

Without meeting the above criteria most employers would only hire you as a Contractor until a suitable candidate came along.

It would not be worthwhile being Security Cleared unless you job requires it.

However, once you are Security Cleared, it last for five years and I think it is transferable.

Lastly, it will be definately going on my CV once I recieve it.

Hope that helps.

 

That does entirely depend upon the level of clearance. Basic clearance isnt, but higher levels are.

Basic really is just that though - Basic. I had to have references from previous employers, but they were simply "yes he worked here at that time", rather than anything more significant. Still needed some of the other stuff you needed for lvl3 though.

I believe the levels detail the amount of effort (and cost) expended to clear you. They obviously also dictate what level of secure material/locations you are permitted access to.

 

Not quite. CRB checks are different from MOD security checks.

 

I had to be security cleared in my current non - I.T job. I currently work in conjunction with the Child Support Agency, on the 'Sensitive Team' dealing with High profile clients(MP's,semi-pro football players etc). Due to the nature of government data we have access to (tracing methods), it was neccessary - had to fill out 2hours worth of forms relating to the DP act etc.. but yeah, employer sorts it out if needed. Whilst it does look good on a CV, it isn't neccessary to pursue unless your employer requires so.

~Naive

 

Thanks that has cleared it up, my current employer does not requrie anything like that and it seems if an employer does they will do it for me.

 

Ahem, reading this put a bit of fear in my belly.

What is a warning?


Hypothetically speaking, if some 12 years ago you were at private party that was shutdown by the police and everyone in one room was taken to the police station and searched (they were actually there looking for someone who held up a petrol station) but was let go after a search and a name check... would this count against you?

Perhaps being a little on the paranoid side here, but surely this could not count against any application. Being present at the same party that a criminal was or may have been attending cannot count against you, could it?

 

DV stands for Developed vetting and is a big step up from basic, CTC, SC clearance. Had mine done before I left the forces for the second time and took 9 months to come through. First lasted 5 years second will last 7years and is transferable.

Went for a 2 hour interview where they went through in major depth family history, finance, friends right back to childhood and asked some very sensitive questions that would probably make your eyes water.they also contacted family and friends to conduct face to face interviews. filled in endless paper work in to the bargain covering every aspect of my past and current position both professional and socially.

Its only for jobs where you will have to have access on a daily basis to top secret and above government material. So where clearance is required SC and below will usually sufice.

 

Like I said, it ends as soon as you leave that employment; transferring between govt agencies is a different matter and most likely down to the descretion of the agency in question.

 

It's even more convoluted in the U.S., but it all boils down to the clearance level of the information or network within your range. Mainly, the networks one would have access to, from a networking/server perspective, contain or carry sensitive data. As for tenure, clearances last 5 years over here, generally, and are transferable (in most cases).

Also, I couldn't agree with dd more -- getting a clearance is all about honesty. My past, although squeaky for the past 10 years, is very dodgy past that...yet I was open about all of my 'experiences', and was still able to attain my clearance. Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy.

 

Craigie's earlier post about warnings on your police record preventing you being security cleared are not true, as Drum_Dude states. At the old bill I worked with a guy who had a caution for possession when he was younger - made no difference to his clearance. he was also a private contractor before he worked there and had been declared bankrupt after his wife divorced him and took the house - again, made no difference. providing youy come clean on the forms and at interview if asked, if the offence isn't serious enough to prevent you gaining an interview, it won't be serious enough for you to fail SC.

 

It looks like I have been misinformed by my company about the requirements.

However, I guy just recently failed, not sure if he withheld something on the forms or not. Anyway he was promptly escorted to the door!

 

Phew, sounds good. The fact that I attended the odd private party in my teens that was busted by the police should not count against me. Generally the police would grab hold of random people search them, run a name check and (always in my case) let you go.

 

One thing I've noticed when peeps fail clearence is that they never tell you the real reason as to why they failed. They will give you some sort of excuse that shows them to be hard done by. In most cases they fail because either they've withheld info or they have a questionable background - either way they'll never tell you.

As for the transfer of clearence, well technically your clearence finishes when you depart from that govt agency. Transfering to another govt agency whilst in employment is a different matter. However, saying that I have to undergo SC clearence again for another govt agency - cannot say who - as the company I work for has won a contract with them. I was emailed by the agency security guy and asked to attend an interview thing for SC clearence. I emailed him back to inform him that I'd already got SC clearence. And his response was that it doesn't make any difference, you need to go through the same checks for us.

SC Clearence is a pain in the @rse!