Security
Does anyone know how to get securoty clearance to the various levels available.
Thanks
by timwalsh
Shaun, what country are you in?
If you aren't in the US, I can't answer your question although I imagine the process would be similar for other countries.
If in the US, read the following:
First, you MUST be a US citizen.
Not just anybody can apply for a clearance.
You either must have a job that requires a clearance or be applying for a job that requires a clearance.
The employer is the one that submits the clearance after the employee fills out the necessary paperwork. The employer must be engaged in work that requires security clearances for its employees.
The actual level of the clearance is based solely on the job requirement. If the job only requires a Secret clearance, you cannot apply for a Top Secret clearance just because you want one.
The security clearance application is multiple pages and inquires about such things as personal and family background (and citizenship of family members (mother, father, brothers, sisters, spouse, children, other family members currently living with you), residence history, work history, education history, criminal history (ANYTHING more serious than a simple traffic ticket), use of drugs, financial problem history (bankruptcies, collections, past due bills greater than 90 days, etc.) and much more. You must supply lots of references. Each entry in the residence, work, and education history requires a reference (one person CAN be a reference for multiple entries). In addition you must supply 3 other references (other than relatives) that aren't listed as references elsewhere.
Length of histories depends on level of clearance being applied for (Secret goes back 5 years; Top Secret goes back 15 years). Criminal history and use of drugs covers your entire life.
(continued)
by timwalsh
This is all step one. Step 2 will include an investigation by the Defense Security Service (for DoD clearances) or similar investigative bodies in other government agencies. The investigation includes criminal background checks, credit checks, interviews with you and ALL references you provided, that can be found.
This entire process can take a year or more (although usually an interim clearance may be granted after a cursory initial investigation - i.e. search of the application for obvious red flags).
Because of the requirements many people end up in a Catch-22 situation. You may not be able to get a job that requires a clearance without having the clearance to begin with. You can't get a clearance unless you already have a job requiring one (or an employer is willing to hire you pending the granting of one).
Hope this answers your question.
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