Security Clearance

Security clearances are not your sugar-coated M&Ms handed out on Halloween night to neighborhood kids tricking and treating. The United States government takes painstaking steps to determine a person’s [or an agency's] eligibility to access sensitive information and in turn issues a certificate of qualification.

But what have clearances come to stand for? Are they just a showpiece for employment eligibility or power play? Or worse yet, have clearances become an excuse to act inappropriately.

A recent article on FederalTimes.com points out standards for background investigations may be falling below acceptable levels. This is alarming considering how close a clearance ties a person’s character to the protection of national security.

Master Sgt. Rosene Goods, 56th Medical Group first sergeant sheds a bright light on how the military approaches security clearances. Pay close attention to the last consideration regarding technology systems:

Defense Department regulation 5200 2-R tells us that the ultimate determination of whether the granting or continuing of eligibility for a security clearance is clearly consistent with the interests of national security and must be an overall common sense determination based upon careful consideration of the member’s allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, sexual behavior, personal conduct, financial considerations, alcohol consumption, drug involvement, emotional, mental and personality disorders, criminal conduct, security violations, outside activities, and misuse of information technology systems.

A quick example of misuse might be where a cleared government employee prints non-work related and potentially demoralizing material from his US government workstation.

The agency at this point has a prime opportunity to set strong precedence that this type of activity is not tolerated. And that this type of behavior is clearly not a case for the proverbial carpet lift. Any inaction by the agency inevitably sets a somber mood for overall agency morale. An inappropriate level of response by the agency also succeeds in diminishing security clearance value.

Comparing this employee’s actions to an employee printing out a work-sponsored insurance statement, well, it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

I hold an expired top secret clearance from days back in the Air Force and as a US Department of Defense contractor. The investigative process tied to acquiring that clearance [and keep it] was exhaustive. I felt confident that clearances weren’t just handed out to anyone. And the LAST thing I would do as a cleared employee is misuse my agency’s technology assets — not even to the smallest degree. Not even as a joke.

More commentary from Master Sgt. Rosene Goods:

…the individual may be disqualified if available information reflects a recent or recurring pattern of questionable judgment, irresponsibility or emotionally unstable behavior.

Those with active US government security clearances are expected to maintain the highest degree of work ethics. If you hold a clearance, then the next time you think about behaving in a questionable manner, think twice. Your clearance [and your image] is on the line.