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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Security clearance querey
Message-ID: <1991Jan19.035012.2717@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 19 Jan 91 03:50:12 GMT
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From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt)

> From: ericd@sco.COM (Sharky the Lanshark)

> 	This might not be the correct newsgroup to mail, if not please
> 	point me to a correct group.

        I can give you some quick and dirty answers to your questions.
        However, an exchange of e-mail might serve you better - since
        I can provide you more details without tying up bandwith on
        a subject many may not be interested in........ 
        
> 	I am looking for information on government security clearances.
> 	Basically what organizations issue them for the government and
> 	how one is obtained.

        DIS (Department of Defense Investigative Service) is the agency
        responsible for granting military and civilian access to classified
        defense information.  They also conduct the Background Investigations
        for the Personnel Security Program.  Their Industrial Security
        Offices deal with civilian firms and civilian employees needing
        access for government contractural work.

        Probably, in your area, there may be a local DIS Office - they
        may even be in the phone book under US government agencies. Give
        them a call - they could tell you about proper request procedures. 

        (For one 5-year period I was a US Army Counterintelligence Special
        Agent - one of our tasks was conducting Background Investigations) 
        
> 	Our company is now selling system to the government, and I can
> 	foresee a need that a clearance will be needed to work with some
> 	of the agencies in the near future.

> 	How long does the clearance process take, what type of background
> 	checking is preformed? etc.....

        It's a complex process and different levels of access require 
        varying degrees of depth in background checks.  A 'normal' access
        in the civilian world may take 3-6 months.  It depends upon your
        personal background.  I've seen it take up to 8 months.   

> 	While I am at it.. what are the different levels and what is required
> 	to obtain a clearance at each level?

        Here's where a lot of people misunderstand the system.  First,
        there are only three levels of classified defense information:
        CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET, TOP SECRET.  That's it - no others.  Everything
        else are categories of access within these main categories (CRYPTO
        Access, NATO access, Codeword access, etc).  
        First, DIS conducts a background investigation then grants you a
        CLEARANCE.  Tha's all - just a clearance - then further, they grant
        you ACCESS to whatever level of classification you require.

        Further, just because you have a clearance and access to SECRET
        information doesn't mean you have access to everything SECRET!
        You must have a "Need-To-Know".   I may be working on a SECRET
        document - you walk in - if you're not working on the same 
        project - you are not authorized access to this document - even
        though you hold "access to SECRET" (most people incorrectly say,
        "oh yeah, I'm cleared for SECRET - tough shit, you're not).

        Also, having a Clearance is a privlidge(sp?) - not a right.  The
        Secretary of Defense (via DIS) can deny you access and yank your
        clearance without legal recourse - for even the smallest mishandeling
        of classified information (compromise).  I always said, "The DIS
        giveth, and the DIS taketh away!" 
         
> 	Thanks for any info you can give me, or for pointing me in the
> 	correct direction.


        No problem - talk to me e-mail if you need more detailed information
        (non-classified of course)


   mike schmitt