What is Security Clearance?
Personnel Security vetting is carried out so that people may take certain jobs or carry out tasks that need a national security clearance. These jobs and tasks are located throughout the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, as well as in the private sector dealing with defence related work. In addition, a number of other government departments and Organisations pay the DVA to process clearances or carry out interview work.
Why is the vetting system necessary - and what does it aim to achieve?
The UK needs a security system to protect against threats from hostile intelligence services and terrorist and other pressure groups. Vetting tries to make sure that anyone who goes through the process can be trusted with sensitive government information or property.
Who is affected?
The system applies to people in the following categories whose employment involves access to sensitive Government assets: crown servants; members of the security and intelligence agencies; members of the armed forces; the police; employees of certain other non-government organisations that are obliged to comply with the Government's security procedures; employees of contractors providing goods and services to the Government.
How does the vetting system work?
All candidates for jobs that provide access to sensitive information or sites are asked to complete one or more security questionnaires, which invite them to provide the personal details needed to enable the necessary checks to be carried out. Interviews may also be carried out. The depth of checks varies according to the level of regular access to sensitive information that the job entails.
These are the main types of checks and clearances processed by the DVA:
National Security Vetting
Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) is required for people who work in close proximity to public figures, or who have access to information or material vulnerable to terrorist attack, or involves unrestricted access to government or commercial establishments assessed to be at risk from terrorist attack. A CTC does not allow access to, or knowledge or custody of, protectively marked assets, but the baseline Personnel Security Standard which is carried out on all MOD personnel and contractors, allows a degree of access. The following security vetting stages are mandatory before a CTC clearance can be approved:
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (which is normally undertaken as part of the recruiting process)
- Departmental / Company Records Check
- Security Questionnaire
- Criminal Record Check
- Security Service Check
On completion of the vetting process, the information collected is assessed and a decision made to refuse or approve a CTC clearance.
Security Check (SC) is required for people who have substantial access to SECRET or occasional controlled access to TOP SECRET assets. The following security vetting stages comprise a full SC clearance:
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (Which is normally undertaken as part of the recruiting process)
- Departmental / Company Records Check
- Security Questionnaire
- Criminal Record Check
- Credit Reference Check
- Security Service Check
On completion of the vetting process, the information collected is assessed and a decision made to refuse or approve a SC clearance.
Developed Vetting (DV) is required for people with substantial unsupervised access to TOP SECRET assets. The following security vetting stages are mandatory before a DV clearance can be approved:
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (Which is normally undertaken as part of the recruiting process)
- Departmental / Company Records Check
- Security Questionnaire
- Criminal Record Check
- Credit Reference Check and review of personal finances
- Security Service Check
- Check of medical and psychological information provided
- Subject Interview and further enquiries, which will include interviews with character referees and current and previous supervisors
On completion of the vetting process, the information collected is assessed and a decision made to refuse or approve a DV clearance.
Once a clearance is granted, it is only valid for a pre-determined period after which a review must be conducted if the clearance is still required. The time interval before a review is required is specified in guidance issued by the cabinet office.
A small number of clearances are granted in spite of some reservations. Risk management requires follow-up work and monitoring of some cases. This activity is termed "aftercare", and may be required in connection with any of the above clearances.
Employment Checks
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) (formally Basic Check) and Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS) (formerly Enhanced Basic Check or Basic Check +): These are not formal security clearances; they are a package of pre-employment checks that represent good recruitment and employment practice. A BPSS or EBS aims to provide an appropriate level of assurance as to the trustworthiness, integrity, and probable reliability of prospective employees and should be applied to:
All successful applicants for employment in the public sector and Armed Forces (both permanent and temporary) . All private sector employees working on government contracts (e.g. contractors and consultants), who require access to, or knowledge of, government assets protectively marked up to and including CONFIDENTIAL.
BPSS and EBS are normally conducted by the recruitment authorities or companies to the agreed standard, and because they underpin the national security vetting process it is vital that they are carried out properly and thoroughly and before any further vetting is completed.
Employment Assurance (disclosures) (EA(D)) are required by people from MOD sponsored units and organisations that benefit the MOD, who are being considered for employment with children or vulnerable adults. DVA acts as a co-ordinator for these requests.
The DVA process three main types of National Security Vetting (NSV) checks and clearances for MoD and Government posts:
Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) for people employed in posts with proximity to public figures, access to information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists or unescorted access to establishments assessed to be at risk from terrorist attack. A CTC does not allow a person access to, or knowledge of, protectively marked assets.
Security Check (SC) for people employed in posts which have substantial access to SECRET assets or occasional controlled access to TOP-SECRET assets.
Developed Vetting (DV) is needed for people with substantial unsupervised access to TOP-SECRET assets.
A small number of clearances are granted where the risks are managed through follow up work and monitoring. We call this activity "Aftercare". We also process Aftercare for all MOD clearances that are granted normally.
Employment Checks
In addition to NSV we are responsible for co-ordination of all MOD Employment Assurance Disclosure requests, which are needed for people who are being considered for employment with children or vulnerable adults.
We also process MOD employment checks in support of the wider Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements as laid down in the Cabinet Office Personnel Security Standard.
Sources: Her Majesty's Government and Her Majesty's Ministry of Defence.
Points of Reference: www.dva.mod.uk, www.mod.uk & www.official-documents.gov.uk
To discuss applying for Security Cleared Nuclear Jobs, please contact ERS on 01454 203 460, or submit a CV to cv@energyrs.co.uk, to register your general interest, or to apply for positions on Nuclear Projects at Atomic Power Plant Sites, of which further details are available at http://www.ERSJobs.co.uk
