New Training Requirements Prior to Accessing Classified Information
The long road that known as the security clearance process is almost at the end. You have overcome all of the hurdles involved, from getting an interview and being hired into a national security position to undergoing a background investigation and finally being deemed worthy of handling the nation’s secrets. However, before you get the keys to the magic kingdom there are some training and briefing requirements that have to be met before you can view those documents with the bold red stamp on the top and bottom of the pages.
Generally, most agencies have their own particular training and briefing procedures before granting access to classified information. Some may require attending an actual class to learn how to recognize, handle, protect, transmit, and store classified information and materials. Others may just provide a PowerPoint presentation for review or an online course for you to complete whereby you certify that you understand your national security responsibilities.
In 2013, as a result of the establishment of the National Insider Threat Task Force, all government agencies were required to establish their own training programs for cleared federal employees. More recently, the Defense Security Service issued ISL 2016-02 as a result of change 2 of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) which incorporates insider threat provisions for industry from Executive Order 13587. Now all cleared contractor employees are required to receive insider threat awareness training before being granted access. Effective December 1st all new personnel must complete the training within 30 days of being assigned duties involving access to classified information.
