Security Clearance
Discussion
When I worked for Marconi testing torpedos I had to get clearance. Dead easy to get, just fill in a form. Should be paid for by the company. Just don't lie. You can get refused clearance for lying easier than by once being a member of an 'unsavoury' organisation.
The FSA stuff I had to do before working for a bank was harder to get!
The FSA stuff I had to do before working for a bank was harder to get!
I've held BC, SC and DV in the past. I'm getting lots of calls from agents needing current clearance, so I phoned up the Defence Vetting Agency. Initially they didn't want to talk to me as they said I should be talking to my HR dept. When I explained I was a contractor and didn't have am HR dept, they told me that if I wasn't working on a secure site then I didn't have a clearance, regardless of whatever I've held in the past.
To get a clearance you need to be sponsored by someone, whether than be an employer, client or agency. The procedure is fairly straightforward depending on the level of clearance, although a DV takes several months and is very intrusive.
Edit: So basically, if an agent is asking for current clearance, then unless you are already working on a secure site and are walking from one job to another, there is no such thing as 'current' clearance.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 14th October 13:01
To get a clearance you need to be sponsored by someone, whether than be an employer, client or agency. The procedure is fairly straightforward depending on the level of clearance, although a DV takes several months and is very intrusive.
Edit: So basically, if an agent is asking for current clearance, then unless you are already working on a secure site and are walking from one job to another, there is no such thing as 'current' clearance.
>> Edited by JonRB on Friday 14th October 13:01
As JonRB said- you need your clearance to be sponsored.
If your contract ends- ensure they that your sponsor who 'holds' your clearance does not cancel it until you find another contract requiring clearance.. and then transfer your clearance to your new client/sponsor...
When getting the contract you should confirm with the client:-
1) That they will hold your clearance once you finish until you request it transfered
2) that they will transfer it to your new client..
obviously they don't have to agree to the above- but if they don't it shafts you for your next contract if you need clearance
Generally you have up to 12 months from leaving a company to get it transfered to someone else- otherwise it expire...
Hope this helps...
levels:
BC (just an ID check)
BC+CTC - forms + background check- may take a month or two
SC - forms- but more thorough than BC+CTC
DV- forms + interview- v.v.intrusive.. takes months..
biggest rule is do not lie- be completely open (especially for DV)..
If your contract ends- ensure they that your sponsor who 'holds' your clearance does not cancel it until you find another contract requiring clearance.. and then transfer your clearance to your new client/sponsor...
When getting the contract you should confirm with the client:-
1) That they will hold your clearance once you finish until you request it transfered
2) that they will transfer it to your new client..
obviously they don't have to agree to the above- but if they don't it shafts you for your next contract if you need clearance
Generally you have up to 12 months from leaving a company to get it transfered to someone else- otherwise it expire...
Hope this helps...
levels:
BC (just an ID check)
BC+CTC - forms + background check- may take a month or two
SC - forms- but more thorough than BC+CTC
DV- forms + interview- v.v.intrusive.. takes months..
biggest rule is do not lie- be completely open (especially for DV)..
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