background investigation

A year after the Washington Navy Yard shootings security clearance process reform is moving forward, albeit slowly and methodically. A recent Washington Post article highlighted the progress already made in certain areas, but also came to the conclusion that there is still quite a bit of work to be done

In August of 2012 the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), in collaboration with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM,) approved National Training Standards for individuals performing background investigations, national security adjudications, and suitability adjudications.  The overall objective of NTS certification is to equip all personnel performing work

It turns out a cyber attack was the straw that broke the back of embattled security clearance investigation firm USIS. Late last evening it was announced that the Office of Personnel Management is ending its contracts with USIS. The firm had been under a stop-work order for the past month,

In a recent Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA) case the original decision by the Department of Defense (DoD) to deny the applicant a security clearance was upheld by the board.  This particular case involved Guidelines J (Criminal Conduct) and E (Personal Conduct).  The applicant had a history of