Author Archive
Management
Trusted Workforce is the kind of bipartisan, broad government reform we need
COMMENTARY | Creating better, more agile processes for onboarding federal workers, is an example of the kind of reform that’s difficult, but not impossible when government agencies and the executive and legislative branches work together, writes one observer.
Management
High crimes and mental competency don’t keep presidents from security clearances because, they don’t get them
COMMENTARY | Even more important than the president when it comes to protecting classified information are those national security professionals with the jobs of ensuring it is briefed, stored, and shared properly, writes one security clearance expert.
Workforce
Honesty is always the best policy, but it isn’t a silver bullet for security clearances
COMMENTARY | Candor isn’t helping the growing number of security clearance holders and applicants with drug use issues.
Workforce
National Security compensation set a record high in 2023
COMMENTARY | The uptick in cleared compensation is good news for the national security workforce and also a good thing for national security.
Pay & Benefits
How diverse candidates can better navigate the security clearance process
COMMENTARY | Simple steps can make the security clearance process less of a barrier to keeping diverse candidates out of government careers.
Workforce
Elon Musk and why you should never compare when it comes to security clearances
COMMENTARY | The government looks holistically at the benefits and risks to national security with each clearance granted.
Workforce
Could ketamine use cause problems for your security clearance eligibility?
COMMENTARY | When it comes to drug treatments, there’s one key to staying on the right side of a security clearance adjudication.
Workforce
Catastrophic leaks and wild reforms mark the 2023 security clearance year in review
COMMENTARY | The Discord leaks helped put a starker spotlight on the security clearance process, bringing more scrutiny at a time when demand for cleared personnel has intensified and processing times have swelled.
Management
Continuous vetting identifies risks earlier, and is getting ready to roll out across government
COMMENTARY | If there is an issue that could be flagged, federal employees should report it now, and get help, an expert says.
Management
A government shutdown is a catalyst event that can increase the possibility of insider threat incidents
COMMENTARY | As another government shutdown looms it’s a reminder that risks happen when you’re least prepared, writes one observer.
Workforce
National security needs ‘whole people,’ not perfect people
COMMENTARY | The whole person concept is one of the most critical elements of the security clearance process, and one of the most vitally important ones to improving communication around mental health and wellness, writes one observer.
Defense
Leading the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency may be a job no one wants – but it’s an important one
COMMENTARY | “It’s vitally important that the Defense Department onboard the right person for the job, to continue to keep the workforce stabilized and growing,” writes one observer.
Workforce
Congress Doesn’t Know How to Count the Number of National Security Professionals and That’s a Problem
Instead of addressing data security or IT policies around protecting classified information, Congress goes after numbers.
Management
Say Good-bye to the Security Clearance Status Quo
New reporting benchmarks and aggressive clearance processing timelines are some of the reforms underway.
Workforce
National Security Compensation Sees a Significant Increase
With the economy under pressure from rising costs, people with active federal security clearances are pushing for higher compensation.
Workforce
‘Tis the Season: Holiday Hang-Ups That Can Hurt Your Cleared Career
Gone are the days when you could get a little too merry and hope your employer would never know.
Workforce
Social Media Monitoring in the Security Clearance Process
What – if anything – is the government considering in an online search of security clearance applicants?
Workforce
The Senate Intelligence Authorization Bill Gives Hints to 2023’s Security Clearance Policy Priorities
There are a few issues highlighted in the bill that are of particular relevance to the government workforce.
Defense
Here's What Can Happen When the Average Clearance Holder Mishandles Classified Information
It very, very rarely results in security clearance denial and revocation.
Workforce
Dropping the Price Point for Doing Background Investigations May Help Improve Vetting
Reducing costs and improving investigation quality has been a key goal of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
