A Guide to Security Clearance for IT workers

Security clearance for IT workers is a requirement for anyone who intends to work for a government organisation or a private sector that deals with defense. 

Whether it is permanent employment or contracted work, you will be required to undergo security clearance and vetting due to the classified and sensitive information that you may be exposed to. The vetting check is to ensure that you can be trusted with sensitive government information or properties. 

The process usually involves in depth background checks and security questionnaires or interviews. Security Clearance levels may vary depending upon the sensitivity of the information that you may be in contact with.

What are the main Security Clearing Bodies?

The industry bodies that carry out security checks include:

• Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV)
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office Services (FCO Services)
• Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)
• National Security Vetting

How do I obtain Security Clearance?

As an individual you cannot apply for security clearance, this must be requested by the employer in question and carried out by Government agencies. If you don’t have the security clearance required for your role you will not be able to start it until the clearance has been obtained by your employer.  Security clearance is normally granted for a certain amount of time depending on the employment term.

You do not need to be a British National to gain security clearance but a criteria will need to be followed which depends on the level of clearance in question.

What government departments’ require Security Clearance?

• Central Government
• Home Office
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Ministry of Defence
• Ministry of Justice
• NATO
• Metropolitan Police Service

Types of Security Clearance Levels

There are four main types of National Security Vetting (NSV) carried out by the Defence Vetting Agency.

• Developed Vetting (DV) – This is the highest level of Security Clearance and is the most in-depth with credit and criminal records being checked as well as thorough interviews, questionnaires, reference and financial checks. This level of clearance is required for individuals with substantial unsupervised access to Top Secret assets or working in the intelligence or security agencies. You normally have had to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 10 years to gain this type of clearance.
• Security Check (SC) – This is for individuals who have access to secret or occasional access to Top Secret information. This level of clearance involves UK criminal and security checks as well as a credit check. You normally have had to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 5 years to gain this type of clearance.
• Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) – This is required for anyone involved with close proximity to public figures or having access to material that could be vulnerable to a terrorist attack. The check includes a Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check (BPSS) and a check against national security records. You normally have had to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 3 years to gain this type of clearance.
• Baseline Personal Security Standard (BPSS) – This is not a formal security clearance but a package of pre-employment checks that represent good recruitment and employment practice. It aims to provide an appropriate level of assurance, reliability and integrity or prospective employees. This check is carried out by screening references and identity documents.

Security clearances are kept under review to ensure the necessary level of assurance is maintained. This is carried out by the Government Departments and sponsored contractors that are responsible for anyone granted a security clearance.