Personnel Clearances (PCL), Facility Clearances (FCL), and Facility Security Officer (FSO) training
The Department of Defense – Defense Security Services issues the personnel security clearances (PCL) for U.S. citizen employees of a contractor who require access to classified information. Clearances may be at the CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET and TOP SECRET level. Individuals cannot apply for a personnel security clearance application on their own. Rather, the company determines whether an employee will require access to classified information in performance of tasks or services related to the fulfillment of a classified contract. Once the company makes this determination, the individual may be processed for a security clearance. Review the Defense Security Service website of Frequently Asked Questions for additional information: http://www.dss.mil/psmo-i/ps_faqs.html
A facility clearance (FCL) is an administrative determination that, from a national security standpoint, a facility is eligible for access to classified information at the same or lower classification category as the clearance being granted. The FCL may be granted at the Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret level. A contractor or prospective contractor cannot apply for its own facility clearance. A procuring activity of the Government, or cleared contractor in the case of subcontracting, may request the clearance when a definite, classified procurement need has been established. Review the Defense Security Service website of Frequently Asked Questions for additional information: http://www.dss.mil/isp/fac_clear/per_sec_clear_proc_faqs.html and the checklist for application: http://www.dss.mil/isp/fac_clear/fac_clear_check.html
Facility Security Officers (FSO) are a required to establish and maintain a FCL and information about training to become a certified FSO can be obtained here: https://www.cdse.edu/toolkits/fsos/new-fso.html
Additional resources:
FAQ on Industrial Security Clearances – Bureau of Diplomatic Security Department of State
DCSA Facility and Personnel Clearance Procedures and Requirements
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