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 What is Security Clearance?
How do I get Security Clearance?

UKSV National Security Vetting or Security Clearance provides a standard of

assurance regarding an individual’s suitability (at a particular point in time) to have
access to sensitive information, assets and equipment.

To obtain Security Clearance, you must go through an assessment and evaluation

process, including background checks, before being granted clearance and/or
offered employment, (in some cases offers of employment will be conditional on the
successful completion of the clearance process (OPTIONAL)). Security Clearance
applies to individuals whose employment involves access to sensitive government
property, information, or personnel.

Security Cleared personnel may include members of the security and intelligence
agencies, members of the armed forces; police; employees of certain non-
governmental organisations who are required to comply with government security
procedures; and employees of contractors who provide goods and services to the
Government.

The various levels of Security Clearance are required to protect assets from threats
from enemy intelligence agencies, cyber security threats, terrorists, and other groups
of interest.

The result of the clearance process determines who is allowed access to classified
Government information or assets.

All candidates who apply for jobs that provide access to sensitive information or
sites are asked to complete a security questionnaire. The personal details recorded
on these questionnaires enable the necessary checks to be carried out.

Interviews will also be undertaken, where necessary. The depth of checks varies
according to the level of access to sensitive information that the job entails.

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 What is
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) is the recognised standard for the
pre-employment screening of individuals with access to government assets. It is
not a formal security clearance but it’s rigorous and consistent application
underpins the national security vetting process at CTC, Level 1B, SC and DV.

Above and beyond BPSS, some organisations may seek references and include
other enquiries (for example health) as part of their recruitment process.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals with any access to government assets. This means all civil servants,
members of the armed forces, temporary staff in departments, and government
contractors generally.
Allow access to UK OFFICIAL assets and occasional access to UK SECRET
assets.
Required to work in areas where SECRET and TOP SECRET information may
be overheard.
Individuals who require access to Public Services Network (PSN).

What checks are involved

Identity
Employment history (past 3 years)
National and immigration (right to work) status
Unspent criminal record.
Additionally, individuals are required to give a reasonable account of any
significant periods (a total of 6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time spent
abroad.

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 What is
Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) Clearance

It is Cabinet Office policy that a CTC or Level 1B clearance must be formally reviewed
after 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to
review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of
issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example armed
forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day
personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where
a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

Involve proximity to public figures assessed to be at particular risk from

terrorist attack
Give access to information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists
Involve unescorted access to certain military, civil, industrial or commercial
establishments assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack.

What checks are involved

Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard

Completion, by the individual, of a Security Questionnaire
Departmental/company records check which might include, for example
personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
Check of both spent and unspent criminal records
A check of Security Service (MI5) records
If there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual or if
recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be
interviewed.

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 What is
Security Check (SC) Clearance
It is Cabinet Office policy that an SC clearance must be formally reviewed after
10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to
review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of
issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example
armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-
to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual
cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:
Require them to have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to SECRET
assets and/or occasional, supervised access to TOP SECRET assets
And for individuals who:
While not in such posts, will be in a position to directly or indirectly bring
about the same degree of damage
Will have sufficient knowledge to obtain a comprehensive picture of a
SECRET plan, policy or project
Are being considered for employment where it would not be possible to make
reasonable career progress without security clearance for access to SECRET
assets
Require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another
country or international organisation.

What checks are involved

Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
Completion, by the individual, of a security questionnaire
A departmental/company records check which will include, for example
personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
A check of both spent and unspent criminal records
A check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
A check of Security Service (MI5) records
Exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the
individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also
be interviewed
In the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be
required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review
of personal finances can be carried out
Checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.

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 What is
Developed Vetting (DV) Clearance

It is Cabinet Office policy that a DV clearance must be formally reviewed after 7

years (3 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to
review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of
issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example;
armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-
day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual
cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:
Require them to have frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET
assets or require any access to TOP SECRET codeword material
And for individuals who:
While not in such posts, will be in a position to directly or indirectly bring
about the same degree of damage.
Require frequent and uncontrolled access to Category I nuclear material
Require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another
country or international organisation.
The full review of personal finances, which will include an assessment of an
individual’s assets, liabilities, income and expenditure both on an individual
basis and taking into account the joint position with a spouse or partner.

What checks are involved

Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
Completion, by the individual, of a DV security questionnaire
A departmental/company records check which will include personal files, staff
reports, sick leave returns and security records
A check of both spent and unspent criminal records
A check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
A check of Security Service (MI5) records
A full review of personal finances
A detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer
Further enquiries, including interviews with referees conducted by a trained
Investigating Officer
Checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire

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 Spinwell provide guidance on the following
security vetting components

New subject applications

Spinwell can advise on how to initiate a new vetting
application for Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)/Level 1B,
Security Check (SC) & Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

Hold security clearance

Spinwell can advise on how a security clearance can be
held on behalf of an individual for the lifetime of the
clearance (usually 3-5 years) and can also advise on how
the clearance can be maintained and renewed on expiry.

Request to transfer clearance

Where an individual holds a valid clearance with another
organisation, Spinwell can advise on how the clearance
can be transferred and held.
Spinwell can also advise on how you are able to transfer
the clearance to another organisation.

Request to extract an SC from a DV clearance

Where a DV clearance is due to expire, or is no longer
required, Spinwell can advise on how to request
the underlying SC Clearance and have it held.

Vetting Status Information (VSI)

Spinwell can advise how to check if a subject holds a valid
clearance and where it is held and with whom.

Notify a leave to lapse a clearance

When a subject leaves an organisation, their Security
Clearance is no longer required and must be lapsed,
Spinwell can advise on how this task can be performed.

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 Spinwell Security Advisory Team

0203 510 0944

advisory@spinwellglobal.com

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Framework & Accreditations

Our proven track record has allowed us to become a trusted provider for a
range of frameworks and gain several important accreditations.

Our Accreditations Approved Frameworks

Spinwell
1 Rushmills, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England NN4 7YB

020 3510 9454

info@spinwellglobal.com
www.spinwell.com

This document is for information purposes only and is private and confidential to the named person.