Vocab 6 - Personnel Clearances in the NISP (Glossary)

Question 1

Access

Answer 1

The ability and opportunity to gain knowledge of

classified information.

Question 2

Adjudication

Answer 2

The adjudication process is based on decisions made by
applying a standard set of guidelines to an individual’s
specific circumstances.

Question 3

Adjudicator

Answer 3

A uniquely certified professional who is trained to assess
an individual’s loyalty, trustworthiness, and reliability
and determine whether it is in the best interest of national
security to grant the individual an eligibility for access to
classified information or render a favorable suitability
determination.

Question 4

Adverse Information

Answer 4

Any information that adversely reflects on the integrity
or character of a cleared employee, that suggest that his
or her ability to safeguard classified information may be
impaired, that his or her access to classified information
clearly may not be in the interest of national security, or
that the individual constitutes as insider threat.

Question 5

Applicant

Answer 5

A person other than an employee who has received an
authorized conditional offer of employment for a position
that requires access to classified information.

Question 6

Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE)

Answer 6

A nationally accredited, award-winning directorate within the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). CDSE provides security, training and certification products and services for the DOD and industry.

Question 7

Classification

Answer 7

Consists of three elements. What needs to be protected,
how much protection is required and declassification of
National Security Information (NSI). It is a joint responsibility between the contractor and the U. S. government.

Question 8

Classification Level

Answer 8

Classification levels are applied to national security information that, if subject to unauthorized disclosure, could reasonably be expected to cause damage, serious damage or exceptionally grave damage to national security. Each level has its own requirement for safeguarding information. The higher the level of classification, the more protection the classified information requires to reasonably prevent the possibility of its loss or compromise. Those levels, from lowest to highest, are CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET and TOP
SECRET.

Question 9

Classified Contract

Answer 9

Any contract requiring access to classified information by a contractor and its employees in the performance of the contract (a contract may be a classified contract even though the contract document is not classified). The requirements prescribed for a “classified contract” also are applicable to all phases of pre-contract activity, including solicitations (bids, quotations, and proposals), pre-contract negotiations, post-contract activity, or other Government Contracting Activity (GCA) program or project which requires access to classified information by a contractor.

Question 10

Classified Information

Answer 10

Official information that has been determined, pursuant to
E.O. 13526 or any predecessor order to require protection against unauthorized disclosure in the interest of national
security which has been designated. The term includes National Security Information (NSI), Restricted Data (RD) and Formerly Restricted Data (FRD).

Question 11

Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement (SF 312)

Answer 11

The SF 312 is an NDA between the U.S. Government and an individual who is cleared for access to classified information. An employee determined eligible for access to classified information must execute an NDA prior to being granted access to classified information.

Question 12

Cleared Contractor/Company

Answer 12

All contractors who safeguard classified information disclosed during all phases of the contracting, licensing, and grant process, including bidding, negotiation, award, performance, and termination. Any industrial, educational, commercial, or other entity that has been granted an FCL by a Cognizant Security Agency (CSA) and participating in the National Industrial Security Program (NISP)

Question 13

Cleared Employees

Answer 13

All industrial or commercial contractor, licensee, certificate holder, or grantee of an agency, including all subcontractors; a personal services contractor; or any other category of person who acts for or on behalf of an agency as determined by the appropriated agency head who are granted Personnel Security Clearances (PCL) and are being processed for PCLs.

Question 14

Cognizant Security Agency (CSA)

Answer 14

Agencies of the Executive Branch that have been authorized by E.O. 12829 to establish an industrial security program to safeguard classified information under the jurisdiction of those agencies when disclosed or released to U.S. industry. These agencies are the DOD, Department of Energy (DOE), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Question 15

Cognizant Security Office (CSO)

Answer 15

The organizational entity delegated by the Head of a CSA to administer industrial security on behalf of the CSA.

Question 16

Company

Answer 16

A generic and comprehensive term which may include sole proprietorships, individuals, partnerships, corporations, societies, associations, and organizations usually established and operating to carry out a commercial, industrial or other legitimate business, enterprise, or undertaking.

Question 17

Compromise

Answer 17

An unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

Question 18

CONFIDENTIAL

Answer 18

The classification level applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security that the
original classification authority is able to identify or describe.

Question 19

Continuous Evaluation (CE)

Answer 19

The DOD CE program is an ongoing screening process to review the background of an individual who is assigned to a sensitive position or has access to classified information. CE leverages automated record checks and applies business rules (aligned to the Federal Investigative Standards (FIS)) to assist in the ongoing assessment of an individual’s continued eligibility.

Question 20

Continuous Vetting (CV)

Answer 20

The CV model is a real-time review of an individual’s
background at any time to determine if they continue to
meet applicable eligibility requirements.

Question 21

Contractor

Answer 21

Licensees, grantees, and certificate holders, to the extent
legally and practically possible within the constraints of
applicable law and the Code of Federal Regulations.

Question 22

Counterintelligence (CI)

Answer 22

Information gathered and activities conducted to identify,
deceive, exploit, disrupt, or protect against espionage, other intelligence activities, sabotage, or assassinations conducted for or on behalf of foreign powers, organizations, or persons, or their agents, or international terrorist organizations or activities.

Question 23

Critical-sensitive

Answer 23

Any civilian national security position that has the potential to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.

Question 24

Defense (Cleared) Contractor

Answer 24

A subset of contractors cleared under the NISP who have

classified contracts with the DOD.

Question 25

Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)

Answer 25

The DCSA is an agency of the DOD with field offices throughout the U.S. and provides the military services,
defense agencies, other federal agencies and cleared
contractor facilities with security support services. DCSA
is the security agency in the federal government dedicated
to protecting America’s trusted workforce and trusted
workspaces — real or virtual. DCSA joins two essential missions: Personnel Vetting and Critical Technology
Protection, supported by Counterintelligence and Training, Education and Certification functions. DCSA services over 100 federal entities, oversees 10,000 cleared companies, and conducts approximately 2 million background investigations each year.

Question 26

Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA)

Answer 26

The DOHA provides hearings and issues decisions in PCL
cases for contractor personnel doing classified work for all
DOD components and other Federal Agencies and Departments. If the DOD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DOD CAF) cannot favorably find that it is clearly consistent with the national interest to make a final eligibility determination, the case is referred to DOHA for further processing and/or where the case will be decided before an Administrative Judge.

Question 27

Deferment

Answer 27

The implementation of interim measures currently being
used by DOD to permit the focus of investigative resources on the inventory of pending initial investigations. The process includes the deferment of reinvestigations when screening results are favorable and mitigation activities are in place, as directed.

Question 28

Department of Defense (DOD)

Answer 28

The DOD is an executive branch department of the federal
government of the U.S. charged with coordinating and
supervising all agencies and functions of the government
concerned directly with national security and the U.S.
Armed Forces. The major elements of these forces are the
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

Question 29

Document

Answer 29

Any recorded information, regardless of the nature of the

medium or the method or circumstances of recording.

Question 30

DOD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DOD CAF)

Answer 30

The DOD CAF is the sole authority to determine security
clearance eligibility of Non-Intelligence agency DOD
personnel occupying sensitive positions and/or requiring access to classified material, including Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). The DOD CAF determines a final eligibility in accordance with the ODNI SEAD 4, National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, based on review and consideration from results and other available, reliable information collected from the national security background investigation.

Question 31

DOD Personnel Security System of Record

Answer 31

A system of record for personnel security, adjudication
determination, clearance, verification, and history. The
term applies not only to this system but to any successor
of the DOD personnel security system of record.

Question 32

Duties (for National Security)

Answer 32

Duties performed by individuals working for, or on behalf
of, the Federal Government that are concerned with the
protection of the United States (U.S) from foreign aggression or espionage, including development of defense plans or policies, intelligence or counterintelligence (CI) activities, and related activities concerned with the preservation of the military strength of the U.S including duties that require eligibility for access to classified information in accordance with E.O. 12968.

Question 33

Eligibility Determination

Answer 33

The decision to grant eligibility for access to classified

information or performance of national security duties.

Question 34

Employee

Answer 34

A person, other than the President and Vice President of
the United States (U.S.), employed by, detailed or assigned to an agency, including members of the Armed Forces; an expert or consultant to an agency; an industrial or commercial contractor, licensee, certificate holder, or grantee of an agency, including all subcontractors; a personal services contractor; or any other category of person who acts for or on behalf of an agency as determined by the appropriate agency head.

Question 35

Entity

Answer 35

A generic and comprehensive term which may include
sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, limited
liability companies, societies, associations, institutions,
contractors, licensees, grantees, certificate holders, and
other organizations usually established and operating to
carry out a commercial, industrial, educational, or other
legitimate business, enterprise, or undertaking, or parts of
these organizations. It may reference an entire organization, a prime contractor, parent organization, a branch or division, another type of sub-element, a sub contractor, subsidiary, or other subordinate or connected entity (referred to as “sub-entities” when necessary to distinguish such entities from prime or parent entities), a specification location or facility, or the headquarters/official business location of the organization, depending upon the organization’s business structure, the access needs involved, and the responsible CSA’s procedures. The term “entity” as used in the National
Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)
refers to the particular entity to which an agency might
release, or is releasing, classified information, whether
that entity is a parent or subordinate organization.

Question 36

Executive Order (E.O.)

Answer 36

An order issued by the President of the U.S. to create a policy and regulate its administration within the Executive Branch.

Question 37

Excluded

Answer 37

A determination by the CSA that Key Management
Personnel (KMP) can be formally excluded from classified access. The applicable KMP will affirm as appropriate, and provide a copy of the exclusion action to the CSA. This action will be made a matter of record by the organization’s governing body.

Question 38

Exclusion Resolutions

Answer 38

An exclusion action record, with language affirming that
applicable KMP will not require, will not have, and can be
effectively and formally excluded from, access to all classified information disclosed to the company and does not occupy a position that would enable them to adversely affect the organization’s policies or practices in the performance of classified contracts.

Question 39

Facility

Answer 39

A plant, laboratory, office, college, university, or commercial structure with associated warehouses, storage areas, utilities, and components, that, when related by function and location, form an operating entity.

Question 40

Facility (Security) Clearance (FCL)

Answer 40

An administrative determination that, from a security point of view, a company is eligible for access to classified information of a certain category (and all lower categories). FCL is also referred to as an entity eligibility determination.

Question 41

Facility Security Officer (FSO)

Answer 41

A U.S. citizen employee, appointed by a contractor who will supervise and direct security measures necessary for
implementing the NISPOM and other Federal requirements for classified information.

Question 42

Federal Investigative Standards (FIS)

Answer 42

Standards that apply to investigations that determine
eligibility for access to classified information, for holding a national security position, for physical and logical access, and for suitability for government employment. The revised FIS dated December 2012, established a new investigative model, which aligns and standardizes national security background investigation requirements for Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), suitability and fitness, and national security into 5 tiers. The 5-tiered model facilitates reciprocity, uses a build-upon (but not duplicate) investigative principle, and facilitates the use of automation to improve cost, quality, and timeliness of background investigations.

Question 43

Foreign Interest

Answer 43

Any foreign government, agency of a foreign government,
or representative of a foreign government; any form of
business enterprise or legal entity organized, chartered or
incorporated under the laws of any country other than the
U.S. or its territories; and any person who is not a citizen
or national of the U.S.

Question 44

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12)

Answer 44

The HSPD-12 mandates a federal standard for secure and
reliable forms of identification per U.S. policy to enhance
security, increase Government efficiency, reduce identity
fraud, and protect personal privacy by establishing a
mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the Federal Government to its employees and contractor employees. The revised FIS established a new investigative model, which aligns and standardizes national security background investigation requirements for HSPD-12, suitability and fitness, and national security into 5 tiers.

Question 45

Individual Culpability

Answer 45

An individual responsible for a security violation plus evidence of deliberate disregard, gross negligence and a pattern of negligence or carelessness.

Question 46

Industrial Security

Answer 46

That portion of information security concerned with the
protection of classified information in the custody of U.S.
industry.

Question 47

Industrial Security Representative (IS Rep)

Answer 47

Local representative from the DCSA that provides advice and assistance to establish the security program and to ensure a facility is in compliance with the NISP.

Question 48

Information

Answer 48

Any knowledge that can be communicated or documentary material, regardless of its physical form or characteristics.

Question 49

Insider

Answer 49

Cleared contractor personnel with authorized access to any government or contractor resource, including personnel, facilities, information, equipment, networks, and systems.

Question 50

Insider Threat

Answer 50

The likelihood, risk, or potential that an insider will use his or her authorized access, wittingly or unwittingly, to do harm to the U.S. national security. Insider threats may include harm to contractor or program information, to the extent that the information impacts the contractor or agency’s obligations to protect classified NSI.

Question 51

Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO)

Answer 51

A U.S. citizen employee, appointed by a contractor who

will establish and execute an insider threat program.

Question 52

Investigation

Answer 52

The action of investigating something or someone; formal

or systematic examination or research

Question 53

Investigative Service Provider (ISP)

Answer 53

A federal agency or federal contract agency that conducts

National Security Background Investigations for the DOD.

Question 54

Interim PCL Determination

Answer 54

An interim PCL, or eligibility for access to classified
information, as appropriate, is granted to an individual on
a temporary basis, pending completion of the full investigative requirements, provided there is no evidence of adverse information that calls into question an individual’s eligibility for access to classified information. If results are favorable following completion of full investigative requirements, the interim eligibility for access to classified information will be updated to be final. When an interim PCL determination has been made and derogatory information is subsequently developed, the CSA may withdraw the interim PCL.

Question 55

Key Management Personnel (KMP)

Answer 55

A company’s Senior Management Official (SMO), FSO,
ITPSO, and all other company officials who either hold
majority interest or stock, or have (direct or indirect)
authority to influence or decide matters affecting the
management or operations of the company or classified
contract performance. Essential KMPs require an eligibility determination before a facility is granted an FCL. Other applicable KMPs may be formally excluded from classified access.

Question 56

Limited Access Authorization (LAA)

Answer 56

A security access authorization to CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET information granted to non-U.S. citizens requiring only limited access sin the course of their regular duties.

Question 57

Loss

Answer 57

Classified information that is or was outside the custodian’s control and the classified information cannot be located or its disposition cannot be determined.

Question 58

Material

Answer 58

Any product or substance on or in which information is embodied.

Question 59

Mitigating Information

Answer 59

Personnel security information that tends to explain or refute factors that could otherwise support denial, revocation, or the granting of access to classified information with an exception.

Question 60

National Industrial Security Program (NISP)

Answer 60

The NISP was established by E.O. 12829 for the protection of classified information released or disclosed to industry in connection with classified contracts. The NISP applies standards for the protection of classified information released or disclosed to contractors of all federal executive branch departments and agencies. Requirements of the NISP are stated in the NISPOM.

Question 61

National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)

Answer 61

A manual issued in accordance with the NISP that prescribes the requirements, restrictions, and other safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

Question 62

National Security

Answer 62

The national defense of foreign relations of the U.S. national security, including defense against transnational terrorism.

Question 63

National Security Adjudicative Guidelines

Answer 63

Guidelines established for determining eligibility for access to classified information. These guidelines are in accordance with the ODNI Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4, National Security Adjudicative Guidelines.

Question 64

National Security Background Investigation

Answer 64

Any investigation required for the purpose of determining
the eligibility of DOD military and civilian personnel, contractor employees, consultants, and other persons
affiliated with the DOD for access to classified information, acceptance or retention in the Military Departments, assignment or retention in sensitive duties, or other designated duties requiring such investigation. It also includes investigations of allegations that arise subsequent to adjudicative action and require resolution to determine an individual’s current eligibility for a national security position.

Question 65

National Security Eligibility

Answer 65

The status that results from a formal determination by an
adjudication facility that a person meets the personnel security requirements for access to classified information or to occupy a national security position or one requiring the performance of national security duties.

Question 66

Naturalization

Answer 66

A process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Question 67

Need-to-know

Answer 67

A determination made by an authorized holder of classified information that a prospective recipient has a requirement for access to, knowledge, or possession of the classified information to perform tasks or services essential to the fulfillment of a classified contract or program.

Question 68

Non-critical sensitive

Answer 68

Any civilian national security position that has the potential to cause significant or serious damage to the national security. This may include civilian national security positions.

Question 69

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

Answer 69

The U.S. Government agency that retains authority over access to intelligence sources and methods. The ODNI is also the U.S. Government national authority responsible for developing uniform and consistent policies and procedures to ensure the effective, efficient, and timely completion of national security investigations and adjudications relating to determinations of eligibility for access to classified information or eligibility to hold a sensitive position, as well as other security duties as
delineated in E.O. 13467.

Question 70

Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security (OUSD(I&S))

Answer 70

Formerly OUSD(I). Develops policy, guidance, and oversight for the DOD Personnel Security Program (PSP) in accordance with DODD 5143.01, and in that capacity reviews and approves DOD Components’ policy and procedures governing civilian, military, and contractor personnel PSPs within the DOD.

Question 71

Personnel Security

Answer 71

A security discipline that assesses the loyalty, reliability,
and trustworthiness of individuals for initial and continued
eligibility for access to classified information.

Question 72

Personnel (Security) Clearance (PCL)

Answer 72

An administrative determination that an individual is eligible, from a security point of view, for access to classified information of the same or lower category as the level of the PCL being granted. PCL is also referred to as national security eligibility determination.

Question 73

Personnel Security Program (PSP)

Answer 73

The PSP establishes the standards, criteria, and guidelines
upon which national security eligibility determinations are
based. The PSP uses a comprehensive background investigative process in making this determination. It applies to members of the Armed Forces, DOD civilian employees, DOD contractors, and other affiliated people who require access to classified information, or are assigned to sensitive duties. The goal of the program is to ensure the protection of national security.

Question 74

Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86)

Answer 74

The standard form that the DOD uses for most national security background investigations. The form is generally
completed electronically via a secure system.

Question 75

Reciprocity

Answer 75

The acknowledgement and acceptance of an existing
background investigation conducted by an authorized
investigative agency; the acceptance of a national security
eligibility adjudication determined by an authorized
adjudicative agency; and the acceptance of an active national security eligibility determination granted by an executive branch agency.

Question 76

Reinvestigation

Answer 76

A reinvestigation is a national security investigation conducted to update a previously completed investigation
on persons holding a national security position or performing national security duties to determine whether that individual continues to meet national security requirements. New reinvestigation requests, as directed
per the CE program/CV model, are screened using a risk
management-based approach, where an individual’s
Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) is
analyzed using deferment protocols and is identified for
either enrollment in CE or submission to an Investigative
Service Provider (ISP) for a reinvestigation.

Question 77

Risk

Answer 77

The probability of loss from an attack, or adverse incident;
it is a function of threat (adversaries’ capabilities, intentions and opportunities) and vulnerability (the inherent susceptibility to attack). Risk may be quantified and expressed in terms such as cost in loss of life, dollars, resources, programmatic impact, etc.

Question 78

Scope

Answer 78

The time period to be covered and the sources of information to be contacted during the prescribed course of a national security investigation.

Question 79

SECRET

Answer 79

The classification level applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security
that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.

Question 80

Security Clearance

Answer 80

A national security eligibility determination by competent
authority that an individual is eligible for access to NSI, under the standards of NISPOM. Also called a clearance. The individual must have both eligibility and access to have a security clearance. Eligibility is granted by the adjudication facilities, and the access is granted by the individual agencies.

Question 81

Security Training Education and Professionalization Portal (STEPP)

Answer 81

The learning management system used by CDSE. STEPP
maintains a list of courses, student information and course
transcripts.

Question 82

Senior Management Official (SMO)

Answer 82

The SMO is the contractor’s official responsible for company policy and strategy. The SMO is a U.S. citizen employee occupying a position with ultimate authority over the facility’s operations and directs actions necessary for the facility’s safeguarding of classified information (even if the access to classified information by the facility’s employees is solely at other contractor facilities or government locations).

Question 83

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

Answer 83

A subset of Classified National Intelligence concerning or
derived from intelligence sources, methods, or analytical
processes, that is required to be protected within formal
access control systems established by the Director of
National Intelligence.

Question 84

Sensitive (Information/Position)

Answer 84

An agency, installation, person, position, document, material, or activity requiring special protection from the disclosure, loss, misuse, alteration, or destruction of which could cause embarrassment, compromise, or threat to the security of the sponsoring power and/or adversely affect national security or governmental interests.

Question 85

Special Access Program (SAP)

Answer 85

Any program that is established to control access, distribution, and to provide protection for particularly sensitive classified information beyond that normally required for TOP SECRET, SECRET, or CONFIDENTIAL information. A SAP can be created or continued only as authorized by a senior agency official delegated such authority pursuant to E.O. 13526.

Question 86

Special-sensitive

Answer 86

A special-sensitive civilian national security position is one with potential for inestimable damage to the national security or for inestimable adverse impact to the efficiency of the Department of Defense or the Military Departments.

Question 87

Security Policy and Procedures (SPP)

Answer 87

A document(s) prepared by a contractor that implements the applicable requirements of the NISPOM for the contractor’s operations and involvement with classified information at the contractor’s facility.

Question 88

Subcontractor

Answer 88

A supplier, distributor, vendor, or firm that furnishes supplies or services to or for a prime contractor or another subcontractor, who enters into a contract with a prime contractor. Per NISPOM, each subcontractor will be considered as a prime contractor in relation to its subcontractors.

Question 89

Suspected Compromise

Answer 89

Occurs whenever identifiable classified information has been made available to unauthorized individual(s) who may have gained access to the information.

Question 90

Suspicious Contact

Answer 90

Efforts by any individual, regardless of nationality, to obtain illegal or unauthorized access to classified information or to compromise a cleared employee, all contacts by cleared employees with known or suspected intelligence officers from any country, or any contact which suggests the employee concerned may be the target of an attempted exploitation by the intelligence services of another country.

Question 91

Threat (to National Security)

Answer 91

An entity capable of aggression or harm to the U.S.

Question 92

TOP SECRET

Answer 92

The classification level applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe.

Question 93

Transmission

Answer 93

The sending of information from one place to another by
audio, microwave, laser, or other non-connective methods,
as well as by cable, wire, or other connective medium;
information or data transmitted electronically. Transmission also includes movement involving the actual transfer of custody and responsibility for a document or other classified material from one authorized addressee to another.

Question 94

Unauthorized Disclosure

Answer 94

A communication or physical transfer of classified national intelligence, including SCI, to an unauthorized recipient.

Question 95

Unfavorable (National Security) Determination

Answer 95

A denial or revocation of eligibility for access to classified
information and/or to occupy a sensitive position.

Question 96

Upgrade

Answer 96

A determination that certain classified information, in the interest of national security, requires a higher degree of protection against unauthorized disclosure than currently
provided, coupled with a changing of the classification
designation to reflect such a higher degree.

Question 97

Vetting

Answer 97

A process to review the background of an individual to
determine (or has been determined) whether that individual meets (or continues to meet) applicable requirements to be eligible for access to classified information or to hold a sensitive position.