Security Advisory

What is Security Clearance?

 UKSV (United Kingdom Security Vetting) National Security Vetting, or Security Clearance, is a process that assesses an individual’s suitability to access sensitive government information, assets, or equipment. It ensures that individuals are reliable and trustworthy at a specific point in time, particularly when their work involves sensitive or classified material.

Why is Security Clearance Important?

Different levels of security clearance exist to protect sensitive assets from potential threats, such as enemy intelligence agencies, cyber-attacks, terrorists, and other groups of interest. In some cases, offers of employment may be conditional on successfully obtaining the required security clearance.

Who Needs Security Clearance?

Security clearance is required for individuals whose roles involve access to sensitive government property, information, or personnel. This includes:

• Members of security and intelligence agencies
• Members of the armed forces
• Police personnel
• Employees of contractors and companies that provide goods and services to the government
• Certain non-governmental organisation (NGO) employees who must adhere to government security protocols

How Do You Obtain Security Clearance?

 1. Initial Assessment:

 The process begins with an assessment that involves completing a security questionnaire. The personal information provided helps in conducting background checks.

 2. Background Checks:

 The depth and scope of the checks depend on the level of clearance required for the role. These checks evaluate factors like criminal records, financial history, and personal background. In some cases, interviews may be conducted to gather more in-depth information.

3. Clearance Decision:

 Based on the results of the background checks and interviews, the security vetting process determines if an individual can be granted access to sensitive information or assets.

The BPSS is the recognised standard for the pre-employment screening of individuals with access to government assets. It is not a formal security clearance but it’s rigorous and consistent application underpins the national security vetting process at CTC, Level 1B, SC and DV.

Above and beyond the BPSS, some organisations may seek references and include other enquiries (for example health) as part of their recruitment process.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals with any access to government assets. This means all civil servants, members of the armed forces, temporary staff in departments, and government contractors generally.

• Allow access to UK OFFICIAL assets and occasional access to UK SECRET assets.
• Required to work in areas where SECRET and TOP SECRET information may be overheard.
• Individuals who require access to Public Services Network (PSN).

What checks are involved

• Identity
• Employment history (past 3 years)
• National and immigration (right to work) status
• Unspent criminal record.

Additionally, individuals are required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (a total of 6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time spent abroad.

It is Cabinet Office policy that a CTC or Level 1B clearance must be formally reviewed after 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• Involve proximity to public figures assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack
• Give access to information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists
• Involve unescorted access to certain military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack.

What checks are involved

• Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• Completion, by the individual, of a Security Questionnaire
• Departmental/company records check which might include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• Check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• A check of Security Service (MI5) records
• If there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed.

It is Cabinet Office policy that an SC clearance must be formally reviewed after 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• Require them to have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to SECRET assets and/or occasional, supervised access to TOP SECRET assets

And for individuals who:

• While not in such posts, will be in a position to directly or indirectly bring about the same degree of damage
• Will have sufficient knowledge to obtain a comprehensive picture of a SECRET plan, policy or project
• Are being considered for employment where it would not be possible to make reasonable career progress without security clearance for access to SECRET assets
• Require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another country or international organisation.

What checks are involved

• Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• Completion, by the individual, of a security questionnaire
• A departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• A check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• A check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• A check of Security Service (MI5) records
• Exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed
• In the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out
• Checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.

It is Cabinet Office policy that a DV clearance must be formally reviewed after 7 years (3 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example; armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• Require them to have frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets or require any access to TOP SECRET codeword material

And for individuals who:

• While not in such posts, will be in a position to directly or indirectly bring about the same degree of damage.
• Require frequent and uncontrolled access to Category I nuclear material
• Require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another country or international organisation.
• The full review of personal finances, which will include an assessment of an individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

What checks are involved

• Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• Completion, by the individual, of a DV security questionnaire
• A departmental/company records check which will include personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• A check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• A check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
• A check of Security Service (MI5) records
• A full review of personal finances
• A detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• Further enquiries, including interviews with referees conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
• Checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire