SAPPC - Personnel Security Flashcards
Five Elements of the Personnel Security Program (PSP)
Designation Investigation Adjudication Reinvestigation Continuous Evaluation
Designation
An assessment of a position’s potential impact on the national security
Investigation
An inquiry made by an authorized investigative agency into an individual’s activities for the purpose of making a personnel security determination
Adjudication
Judgment concerning security clearance eligibility made by evaluating the information in the Personnel Security Investigation (PSI) with DoD standards
Reinvestigation
Done at certain intervals based on duties or access and as part of the Continuous Evaluation Process
Continuous Evaluation
Used to monitor employees for new information or changes that could affect status
Privacy Act of 1974
Regulates the federal government’s authority to collect personal information on an individual and limits the use of information collected for specific purposes
Purpose of the Personnel Security Program
To make a reasonable determination that individuals grated access to classified information or assigned to sensitive positions are and will remain loyal, trustworthy and reliable
Two elements of National Security
National Defense
Foreign Relations
Hatch Act
Requires federal employees to be loyal to the United States
Executive Order 12968
Standardizes procedures for DoD personnel security policy
Security Clearance Eligibility
A favorable determination that an individual is eligible for access to classified information or assignment to sensitive duties at specific levels prior to access being granted
Who controls Access?
Always controlled by the holder of the information. Ensures the person seeking access has the proper security clearance eligibility and a valid need to know in order to carry out official duties
Designation/Position - Special Sensitive
- Civilian national security position
- Potential for inestimable damage to national security
- Includes eligibility/access to SCI and SAP
- Can be any civilian position the DoD Component head determines to be at higher level than critical-sensitive due to special requirements
Designation/Position - Critical Sensitive
- Civilian national security position
- Potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to national security
- Includes Top Secret access, Fiduciary duties (obligation, expenditure, collection or control of revenue, funds, or items with value over $50 million)
Designation/Position - Noncritical Sensitive
- Civilian national security position
- Potential to cause significant or serious damage to national security
- Includes access to Confidential, Secret, or DOE “L”
Designation/Position - Nonsensitive
- No sensitive job duties and/or need for access to classified information
- Position does not have the potential to adversely impact national security
Restrictions of Limited Access Authorization (LAA)
- Investigative requirement is a Tier 5
- Access is limited to the approved program or project
- Access outside of the approved program or project is a compromise and must be handled as such
- Info must be releasable to the applicant’s home country
- Access is limited to Secret information or lower
- Can be civilian, military, or contractor personnel
Limited Access Authorization (LAA)
Authorization for non-U.S. citizen to be granted access to classified information. Non-US citizens are not granted security clearance eligibility.
Examples of Positions Not Requiring Access to Classified Information that may require a security investigation
Red Cross and/or United Service Organizations personnel
Non-U.S. citizens employed by DoD components overseas
Personnel occupying some IT or related positions
Nuclear Personnel Reliability Program (PRP)
Ensures each person performing duties associated with nuclear weapons or nuclear command and control systems and equipment is emotionally stable, physically capable and has demonstrated reliability and professional competence
Restricted Data
- All information concerning the design, manufacture, or use of atomic weapons, the production of special nuclear material, or the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy
- An additional warning notice of special handling requirements
- Not a Special Access Program or a classification category
Requirements of Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information (CNWDI)
- Access limited to the absolute minimum of people who need it to accomplish their job duties
- Minimum required security clearance is Top Secret or Secret
- Except in rare instances, U.S. citizenship is required for access
- Exceptions granted by the Secretary of Defense or designee
Name 5 of the 9 areas SAP programs cover
Special Access Programs
Presidential Support Activities
Nuclear Personnel Reliability Program (Nuclear PRP)
Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
Nuclear Command and Control – Extremely Sensitive Information (NC2-ESI)
Chemical PRP
NATO
Name 3 of the 6 main duties of a Security Officer
- Prepare and request personnel security investigations
- Evaluate information for interim security clearances
- Administer the continuous evaluation program
- Train personnel on the requirements for the personnel security program
- Conduct briefings for personnel on the necessity of protecting classified information
- Assist in determining sensitivity for both access and assignment to sensitive duties
What is included in an Initial briefing?
- Importance of classified information
- Proper ways to protect classified information
- How to perform duties that require access
- Potential security concerns with foreign intelligence services
- Procedures to report any issue associated with the protection of classified information
What is the purpose of the Annual/Refresher briefing?
- Remind people of responsibilities under the personnel security program
- Inform of any changes in the personnel security program since last briefing
- Reinforce good security practices
- Remind people of the continuing need to follow the rules
What are the goals of the Insider Threat briefing?
- Stress importance of detecting potential insider threat
- Make individuals aware of insider threat indicators and reporting requirements
- Provide information on methods used by adversaries to recruit trusted insiders
What is included in the Termination briefing?
- How to protect classified information
- How intelligence services may target personnel after they have left federal service
- Legal obligation/requirements to protect classified information
- Criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure of information
- How to report problems
- The need for written approval from the agency before any disclosure
e-Qip Process
The security office initiates a personnel security questionnaire using e-QIP.
The individual being investigated must complete the e-QIP.
The security office reviews and approves the questionnaire.
The security office forwards it to the NBIB or PSMO-I.
Clearance Process Steps/Phases
- Personnel security investigation (PSI) is initiated and completed on an individual
- PSI is forwarded to the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF)
- The DoD CAF reviews the information in the PSI and compares it to national adjudication standards
- The DoD CAF makes a determination and either grants a security clearance eligibility or not
Personnel Security Investigation (PSI)
- An inquiry into an individual’s background, activities, and personal behavior
- Allows adjudicators to look closely at important information about an individual’s honesty, reliability, character, loyalty, and trustworthiness.
- Used to determine the eligibility of an individual for access to classified information, acceptance or retention into the armed forces, assignment or retention in sensitive duties, or other designated duties requiring investigation.
