Security Clearance and Personnel Security Support

Federal security clearances authorize individuals to access classified national security information at Secret, Top Secret, or Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) levels.

The clearance process investigates background, evaluates trustworthiness, and determines eligibility based on adjudicative guidelines considering allegiance, foreign influence, financial considerations, personal conduct, and criminal conduct.

Clearance processing involves sponsorship by cleared contractor or government agency, investigation by Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and adjudication by appropriate authority.

Processing timelines vary by level and investigation type, ranging from months to over a year for initial Top Secret clearances.

Organizations performing classified contracts must obtain Facility Clearance (FCL) authorizing storage and handling of classified information.

FCL requires designation of senior management officials including president, Facility Security Officer (FSO), and board members with appropriate clearances.

Organizations must implement NISPOM requirements governing physical security, information systems security, personnel security, education and training, self-inspection, security violations, and international considerations.

We support FCL applications preparing Standard Form 328, developing security programs, designating cleared personnel, and coordinating DCSA surveys.

FCL maintenance requires ongoing NISPOM compliance and regular DCSA interaction.

Security clearance applications require comprehensive SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions completion.

SF-86 requests detailed information about employment history, education, residences, foreign contacts, financial records, and personal conduct.

Application errors or omissions delay processing and raise adjudicative concerns.

We provide application preparation support helping candidates compile required information, accurately complete forms, and prepare supporting documentation.

Our preparation process includes coverage reviews ensuring completeness, consistency verification identifying potential conflicts, and disclosure coaching addressing sensitive topics.

Thorough preparation accelerates investigation while demonstrating candor valued in adjudication.

Clearance investigations vary by level.

Secret clearances typically require National Agency Check with Law and Credit (NACLC) investigating criminal history, credit, and employment.

Top Secret requires Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) or Tier 5 investigation including extensive interviews with references, neighbors, employers, and associates.

SCI requires specialized polygraph examinations.

We prepare candidates for investigation procedures, coordinate investigator access, and support additional development when issues arise.

Our investigation support reduces anxiety through process education while ensuring candidates provide consistent, accurate information.

After investigation completion, adjudicators evaluate findings against 13 adjudicative guidelines determining clearance eligibility.

Common concerns include financial problems, foreign contacts, criminal conduct, substance abuse, and personal conduct issues.

When concerns arise, candidates may receive Statement of Reasons (SOR) requiring response with mitigating information.

We support adjudication through mitigation development, documentation compilation, and response preparation.

Our adjudication support presents facts demonstrating rehabilitation, whole-person context, and reduced security significance.

Effective mitigation can overcome initial denial recommendations.

Security clearances no longer involve static periodic reinvestigation but continuous evaluation monitoring cleared personnel through automated record checks.

Continuous Evaluation examines criminal records, financial information, terrorism databases, and foreign travel detecting issues between investigations.

Clearance holders must report security-relevant information including foreign contacts, financial problems, arrests, and mental health treatment.

We educate personnel about reporting requirements, establish reporting procedures, and support incident management when reportable events occur.

Proactive monitoring and reporting demonstrates security consciousness valued in clearance maintenance.

Facility Security Officers manage organizational personnel security programs ensuring NISPOM compliance.

FSO responsibilities include clearance processing management, security education delivery, security violation investigation, self-inspection execution, and classified material accountability.

We provide fractional FSO services for small organizations lacking full-time security personnel.

Our FSO support includes NISPOM interpretation, security plan development, training program implementation, and DCSA coordination.

We maintain security programs satisfying DCSA expectations while minimizing operational burden on cleared contractors.

Organizations with foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) require special security arrangements protecting classified information from foreign interests.

FOCI mitigation includes Security Control Agreements, Special Security Agreements, and Voting Trust Agreements limiting foreign access to sensitive operations.

We navigate FOCI determinations, negotiate security agreements, and implement organizational separation.

Our international security expertise helps organizations access classified contracts despite foreign affiliation.

We also support Special Access Program (SAP) security, managing compartmented programs requiring enhanced protection beyond standard classification levels.