To hold security clearance as a contractor, you must go through a process called National Security Vetting. Here’s how, by Reed’s Keith Rosser.
The vetting and screening of workers in the UK is at times complex and confusing.
I have worked in the field of employee screening and vetting for over a decade, but am still regularly reminded that security clearance is not as straightforward as many would like.
Having already offered ITContracting.com readers a guide on DBS Checks and a guide to BPSS Checks, it’s now the turn of National Security Vetting — informally known as security clearance or how to obtain security clearance, writes Reed Screening’s Keith Rosser, chair of the Criminal Record Trade Body and the Better Hiring Institute, and a Disclosure Scotland board member.
National Security Vetting: what is it, and what’s involved?
National security vetting is conducted where contractors are working for a government department and the work involved requires a higher level of security clearance.
The vetting consists of four specific levels of check and the level of check required for each role is set by the government department that the contractor will be working with.
Three of the four levels also include baseline security (BPSS) checks as standard.
Security Clearance: What are the four levels?
The four security clearance levels are:
- Accreditation Check (AC)
- Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)/Level 1B
- Security Check (SC)
- Developed Vetting (DV)
Be aware that all levels of security clearance, except AC, will include BPSS checks.
What can contractors expect from Security Clearance checks, who needs SC, and how long does clearance last?
Let’s look at the four security clearance levels one by one.
1. Accreditation Check
Who needs it?
The Accreditation check is needed for contractors working in the aviation sector.
In particular, AC is for contractors who will require unescorted access to restricted areas of UK airports, who are being hired to provide aviation security training, or who will validate air cargo security standards in the UK.
What is checked?
- ID
- Five-year employment/education history
- Basic disclosure check
- A check against government-held records.
How long does AC clearance last for?
Five years (in most cases).
2. Counter Terrorist Check/Level 1B
Who needs it?
Any contractor working with public figures, and/or those figures considered to be at risk from terrorist attacks.
Contractors will also need a ‘CT’ check if they are going to have access to information that terrorists would consider valuable, and if in the course of their work they may attend premises considered at risk from a terrorist attack.
What does a Counter Terrorist Check include?
- BPSS vetting
- A security questionnaire
- A company records check
- A standard disclosure check
- A check of security service records
- An interview, if required, following completion of the above checks
How long does CT/Level 1B clearance last?
Ten years (five years in some cases), although clearance can be reviewed at any time during those periods.
3. Security Check
Who needs it?
Any contractor whose work will give them access to secret or top secret information or assets, including classified material from other countries, or those whose work would allow them to compromise such information or assets.
What does a Security Check include?
- BPSS vetting
- A security questionnaire
- A company records check
- A financial and credit history check
- A standard disclosure check
- A check of security service records
An interview, if required, following completion of the above checks
A financial questionnaire if there are any unresolved financial concerns
Possible checks of relevant third parties included in the security questionnaire
Contractors should be aware that some specific roles will require Enhanced Security Checks (eSC).
An eSC involves everything detailed in enhanced vetting plus a mandatory interview and a full review of the contractor’s or applicant’s personal finances.
How long does Enhanced Security Check clearance last?
Ten years (seven years in some cases) although clearance can be reviewed at any time during those periods.
4. Developed Vetting
Who needs it?
Any contractor covered by Security Check vetting, plus those who have access to ‘category I’ nuclear material.
What does Developed Vetting check include?
- BPSS vetting
- A Developed Vetting security questionnaire
- A company records check
- A financial and credit history check
- A standard disclosure check
- A check of security service records
- An interview, if required, following completion of the above checks
- A financial questionnaire if there are any unresolved financial concerns
- A full review of personal finances
- Further enquiries including interviewing referees
How long does DV clearance last for?
Seven years although clearance can be reviewed at any time during those periods.
How to apply for National Security vetting as a contractor?
Any contractor working in a role that needs security clearance will have their application overseen by the organisation that you will be contracting for.
The organisation will act as your “sponsor” through the process. More details about the role of a sponsor, often an HR officer or company security controller, can be found on .gov.
Do contractors need to have completed vetting and be cleared before they can apply for roles that need National Security clearance?
No.
Government policy states that in the vast majority of cases you can apply without prior clearance.
While this guidance isn’t always followed as many would like, you can read up on more details in the “Contractors” section of this official guidance.
Is there an appeals process?
Yes, if your clearance is refused or withdrawn you can appeal to the Security Vetting Appeals Panel.
Your sponsor will be able to assist you with the appeals process. You can read more about the panel here.
The vetting process seems complicated and intrusive. Is there any support for contractors going through the process?
The government has provided contact details for a number of organisations that can offer support if some parts of the national security vetting process affect applicants in a negative way. Hopefully you won’t need it, but here is the guidance in any event.
The future of National Security Vetting
There is no doubt security vetting is essential in certain scenarios and as the government makes clear, you must go through national security vetting to obtain security clearance.
But just because NSV is critical and often mandatory, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be modernised — especially as its complexities still make the process opaque to newcomers.
Requirements to gain security clearance must also keep up with today’s labour market, and that means making use of the latest technology. Vetting needs to be accurate, thorough but also fast, digital and convenient.