when can intelligence employees request a clearance for their attorney

by Prof. Aleen Bins 8 min read

How long does a security clearance investigation last?

Sep 08, 2017 · A federal employee will definitely need a security clearance attorney if they receive a denial or proposed denial of their security clearance by a federal agency. Each federal agency is different and there are different security clearance procedures for each federal agency. This can cause some confusion with clients.

When is an employee no longer entitled to a security clearance?

Nov 13, 2013 · Employees denied or at risk of losing a clearance may have little time to respond to the decision. Applicants denied a security clearance receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR) from the government, which will state the amount of time the employee has to rebut the decision. These deadlines to respond may be as short as 20 days.

What is the security clearance process in the US?

While the investigations that go into granting a security clearance are comprehensive, there is no guarantee that a government worker will possess their clearance indefinitely. The government can suspend or revoke an employee’s security clearance if confidence in the worker’s ethics or personal well-being is compromised in any way. A ...

What happens if you omit information from a security clearance interview?

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What is the criteria for a secret clearance?

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS An individual cannot apply for Security Clearance. A cleared contractor or government entity must sponsor you. You either (a) must be an employee of or consultant for that cleared contractor, or (b) you've received and accepted a written offer of employment from the cleared contractor.

Who needs top secret clearance?

Top Secret Clearances This type of clearance will most often be appropriate for law enforcement officers assigned to FBI Task Forces housed in FBI facilities. In addition to all the requirements at the Secret level, a background investigation, covering a 10-year time period, is required.

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

These are confidential, secret, top secret and sensitive compartmented information. This type of security clearance provides access to information that may cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.

What is an SF 86 security clearance?

Standard Form 86 (SF 86) is a U.S. government questionnaire that individuals complete in order for the government to collect information for "conducting background investigations, reinvestigations, and continuous evaluations of persons under consideration for, or retention of, national security positions." SF 86 is ...

What disqualifies you from a security clearance?

Those include criminal convictions that lead to a prison sentence of a year or longer, receiving a dishonorable discharge, “criminal incompetence,” and drug addiction.

What does TS SCI clearance mean?

top secret or sensitive compartmented information clearanceWhat is top secret or sensitive compartmented information clearance? TS/SCI clearance allows you to access sensitive information that is not available to the public. Sometimes, this can mean access to data, information or even technology that is only available to those with the appropriate clearance level.Mar 8, 2021

What is a T3 investigation?

T3 is the investigation required for positions designated as non-critical sensitive and/or requiring eligibility for "L" access or access to Confidential or Secret information. T3R is the reinvestigation product required for the same positions. The Standard Form (SF) 86 is used to conduct these investigations.

Is it hard to get security clearance?

The National Security Agency denied the most applicants–9.2 percent. The National Reconnaissance Office and the Central Intelligence Agency had the next greatest number of denials, at 7.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. These numbers might seem relatively low, but there's a reason for that.May 21, 2015

What is the highest clearance you can get?

There are three levels of security clearance, with the highest level being Top Secret. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is the final.

What is the difference between sf85 and SF-86?

The SF-85 is used for public trust or lower-risk positions. The SF-86 is used for all security clearance determinations, including Secret and Top Secret clearances.Mar 8, 2018

What is SF-85 security clearance?

SF-85 Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions A Non-Sensitive Low Risk position designation means that the employee is in a low risk position that does not have sensitive duties involving public trust or national security and does not need access to classified national security information (CNSI).

How far back does SF-86 go?

Form must be completed going back 10 years. If not back 10 years, it will slow down the processing time of your background investigation. The SF-86 form requests information back 7 years for employment and residence; however, to comply with the investigative standards, 10 years is required.

What does a security clearance lawyer do?

Having a security clearance lawyer advise a federal employee about the potential issues and outcomes of a security clearance issue can be invaluable. When a federal employee understands that they may have a potential security issue, consulting with a security clearance lawyer can help them get ahead of the potential security clearance concerns.

Is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure?

The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is appropriate here. Early preparation for the security clearance process by federal employees, when security concerns arise can avoid more expensive and problematic outcomes later in many cases.

What happens when an agency grants a security clearance?

If the agency grants the individual a security clearance, the agency will invite the individual to a security briefing. In the agency’s security briefing, the agency’s security officer will review the protocols that each grantee must follow to safeguard classified information, the scope of the information to which the grantee may have access, and the circumstances under which the grantee may view classified information.

What happens if you appeal a decision to deny a clearance?

A successful appeal of the decision to deny, suspend or revoke a clearance may result in a reversal of the decision and the granting or restoration of the clearance. Saving your clearance may save your career.

Why are security clearances delayed?

Security Clearances are often delayed, denied, suspended, or revoked when information in an individual’s application or otherwise uncovered during the investigation calls into question one or more suitability factors.

What is the purpose of a security clearance review?

The purpose of a security clearance review is to ascertain whether a government agency or department deems a candidate is able and willing to safeguard information relating to national security. Agencies inquire into a candidate’s perceived loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness by reviewing the candidate’s history, relationships, and overall character.

What happens when a security clearance is suspended?

When an employee or contractor’s security clearance is suspended or revoked, the agency will issue its reasons. As with denials, each agency has its own procedures allowing the employee or contractor to appeal the decision.

What is the process of getting a security clearance?

Obtaining the correct security clearance is a complex process which often times requires an extensive investigation into the applicant’s background. A person seeking a security clearance may have their financial history and personal life reviewed in order for the government to obtain a clear picture of their character.

What is national security law?

National Security Law is concerned with issues involving the intelligence, national defense and homeland security. Federal employees and military personnel often require varying levels of security clearance in order to qualify for certain jobs and assignments.

What agency denies a security clearance?

When the Department of Justice or one of its agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) denies or revokes a security clearance, it must do the following:

What is a security clearance?

A security clearance is the determination by the federal government that a person is eligible for access to classified information or restricted physical areas.

When was Executive Order 12968 signed?

President Clinton signed Executive Order 12968 in 1995. This order establishes a system to determine which employees should have access to classified information. The agencies grant access to classified information to employees whose backgrounds demonstrate “loyalty to the United States, strength of character, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment.” Executive Order 12968 established uniform standards and procedures for evaluating applicants, which have been recently updated. See Section VII below.

What is the purpose of a security clearance review?

The purpose of a security clearance review is to ascertain whether a federal government agency or department deems a candidate is able and willing to safeguard information relating to national security.

What is a security briefing?

In the agency’s security briefing, the agency’s security officer will review the protocols that each grantee must follow to safeguard classified information, the scope of the information to which the grantee may have access, and the circumstances under which the grantee may view classified information.

What is Executive Order 10865?

Executive Order 10865 established an “Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program ,” which the Department of Defense would administer. Executive Order 10865 also established a minimum standard of due process afforded to an employee when an agency denied or revoked his or her security clearance.

What is the purpose of Executive Order 13467?

It designated the OPM as the government’s “Suitability Executive Agent,” with the authority to conduct federal employee suitability investigations and make determinations regarding “logical and physical access” to federal facilities and information systems .

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Overview of The Security Clearance Process

  • A security clearance is the determination by the federal government that a person is eligible for access to classified information or restricted physical areas. An individual may have access to classified information if they are at a place where such information is kept and the security measures in force do not prevent him or her from gaining knowledge of such information. The p…
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Guidelines For Security Clearance Decisions

  • The adjudicative process for a security clearance is “an examination of a sufficient period of a person’s life to make an affirmative determination that the person is an acceptable security risk.”13The adjudicative guidelines, consistent with Executive Order 12968, are as follows: Allegiance to the United States:An individual must be of unquestioned allegiance to the United S…
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Denial Or Revocation of Clearance

  • A candidate who is denied a security clearance will be notified of the reason for that decision and will have an opportunity to file an appeal.18Each agency has its own appeal process. This section contains examples of the processes used by several departments and agencies who issue the vast majority of security clearances.
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Practical Tips

  • Before submitting your application
    An applicant may believe that if he or she forgets to include information in the application, he or she may simply explain the error at a later point, perhaps during their interview with the investigator. However, the investigator will likely view this omission as a deliberate attempt to c…
  • After your security clearance is granted
    An individual who holds a security clearance has an affirmative responsibility to inform the agency of any event that would affect his or her eligibility to maintain their clearance, e.g., a criminal conviction. An agency is less likely to revoke a security clearance if the individual volunt…
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Why Do I Need An Attorney?

  • If you are in the process of appealing an adverse security clearance decision, an attorney can assist you in framing your arguments consistent with the protocols listed above, in demonstrating that you have not violated the protocols, or in showing that the penalty is not consistent with your violation. You may also wish that an attorney represent you at your hearing and help you prepar…
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