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Security
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The primary goal is to ensure that the Research Foundation industrial security program is administered in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), DoD 5220.22-M, and the Defense Security Service (DSS)
The Facility Security Officer (FSO), Dawn
Laws, will perform the following primary security functions for
the Research Foundation:
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Obtain, maintain and terminate personnel security clearances issued to those RF employees working on contracts for the U. S. government.
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Perform the industrial security functions outlined in the NISPOM and required by DSS, including visit authorization requests (VARs) and proliferation of the Facility Practice Procedure (SPP)
under development
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Obtaining a Personnel Security Clearance
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If working on a contract issued by a branch of the U. S. government and it is determined that access to classified information is essential for the performance of work on that contract, there may a requirement to obtain a personnel security clearance (PCL). The Defense Security Service internet website
(www.dss.mil) contains a list of frequently asked questions for reference.
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Initial Security Clearance
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If a personnel security clearance has
never been issued, or if the previous clearance was terminated more
than 24 months ago, the following properly completed items must be
received in order to process a request for a PCL:
- Justification for PCL; Consists of contract number and description
of scope of work justifying clearance provided by supervisor of
the contract.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (Passport or certified birth certificate)
- Fully executed copy of the Electronic Personnel Security Questionnaire
(EPSQ), which is the electronic version of the Standard Form 86.
Instructions for the EPSQ are provided.
- Two (2) fingerprint identification cards (provided by FSO)
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Reinstatement of a Security Clearance
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The procedure for obtaining a PCL is slightly different if a previous PCL was terminated and the following four (4) conditions are met:
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Not more than 24 months has lapsed since the date of termination of the previous PCL
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There is no known adverse information
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The most recent investigation occurred with the past five (5) years for a Top Secret clearance or ten (10) years for a Secret clearance
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The new clearance is being sought is at the same or a lower level than the previously held clearance
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| When the above requirements have been
met, the appropriate procedure will be followed in the Joint Personnel
Adjudication System (JPAS). |
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Maintaining Security Clearances
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| A subject who has become
a cleared and briefed employee has certain responsibilities. These
are spelled out in detail in the facility Standard Practice Procedure
(SPP). These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, certain
reporting requirements, the annual refresher briefing, and occasionally
a periodic reinvestigation. Please visit link to SPP above for your
reference copy. |
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Contents of the Required Briefing
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| The briefing will be provided via an
oral presentation. This presentation will consist of a threat awareness
briefing, a defensive security briefing, employee reporting obligations
and requirements, and security procedures and duties applicable to
the cleared employee's job. If granted an interim clearance, information
on the restrictions regarding this interim clearance will be explained
at the time of the briefing appointment. When the final clearance
is later granted, notification will be made. If the contract requires
access to special access information such as NATO and final clearance
has been granted, appropriate briefings will be provided the for access
to this additional information during the briefing appointment.
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Annual Refresher Briefing
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The Research Foundation is required to provide all cleared employees with some form of security education and refresher briefing at least annually, in accordance with the NISPOM. This refresher briefing may take many forms including videos, oral presentations, dissemination of printed materials, etc.
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Reporting Requirements
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To properly maintain a security clearance several reporting requirements exist. Review these requirements periodically and keep them in mind throughout the daily routine. Do not hesitate to contact the FSO if there is something to report, whether or not the something that has occurred constitutes a reportable situation.
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Periodic Reinvestigation
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| Once every five (5) years, personnel
holding a TOP SECRET clearance, or once every ten (10) years, for
personnel holding a SECRET clearance, an updated Electronic Personnel
Security Questionnaire (EPSQ) must be submitted for the required periodic
reinvestigation. New fingerprint cards are not required unless specifically
requested by DSS. |
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Reporting Requirements
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Below, information is provided to assist cleared personnel in their responsibility to report certain occurrences. Contact the FSO immediately if any of the following occur:
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Changes in Status
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As a cleared employee at the Research Foundation the FSO must be informed of any change in status including a change in name, marital status, or citizenship or termination of employment. Also if the need for access to classified information in the future has been reasonably foreclosed, this must be reported to the FSO.
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Representative of a Foreign Interest
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Should any cleared personnel become a representative of a foreign interest this must be reported to the FSO.
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Foreign Travel
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| If travel occurs outside the United States,
for either business or pleasure, this travel must be reported to the
FSO in advance of making the trip. A foreign travel briefing will
be provided as necessary. Upon returning, any suspicious contacts
that may have occurred during travel should be reported to the FSO.
See below for additional information regarding suspicious contacts.
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Adverse Information
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A cleared employee is required to report any adverse information that comes to his or her attention regarding another cleared person. These reports must be based on fact. Reports based on rumor or innuendo should not be made. If any potentially adverse information should arise concerning yourself, contact the FSO to report the circumstances. Self-reporting can go a long way toward mitigating the negative impact of adverse information. All reports of this nature are kept in strictest confidence and are reported only as required in accordance with the NISPOM. Reports of this nature may also be submitted via the Defense Hotline.
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Suspicious Contacts
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Cleared employees are also required to report efforts by any individual, regardless of nationality, to obtain illegal or unauthorized access to classified information or to compromise a cleared employee. All contacts by cleared employees with known or suspected intelligence officers from any country, or any contact which suggests the employee concerned may be the target of an attempted exploitation by the intelligence services of another country, must be reported to the FSO.
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Loss, Compromise, or Suspected Comprise
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Any loss, compromise, or suspected compromise of classified information must be reported immediately to this office. If unable to locate a classified document that is supposed to be in custody, do not delay in reporting this matter to the FSO.
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Defense Hotline
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While contractor personnel are encouraged to furnish information through established company channels, the Defense Hotline is provided as an unconstrained avenue to report, without fear of reprisal, known or suspected instances of serious security irregularities and infractions concerning contracts, programs, or projects. This alternate means of reporting is provided for use when considered prudent or necessary.
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Defense Hotline
The Pentagon
Washington , DC 20301-1900
(800) 424-9098
E-mail:
hotline@dodig.osd.mil
Web:
http://www.dodig.osd.mil/hotline
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Reports Submitted to the FBI
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A cleared employee must promptly report any information coming to his or her attention concerning actual, probable or possible espionage, sabotage, or subversive activities. Reports of this nature will be immediately forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This information may be reported directly to the FBI if desired.
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Consult the Facility Standard Practice Procedure (SPP) for additional details about reporting requirements.
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