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Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

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Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#11

Post by riot504 »

maxerickson wrote: post #9
riot504 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is from the State Department. There are an array of different clearances. http://www.dss.mil/psmo-i/ps_faqs.html#5 5. Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for a personnel security clearance? No. However, under rare circumstances, a non-U.S. citizen may be issued a Limited Access Authorization for access to classified information. Specific criteria and limitations are provided in the NISPOM. You may also contact your I…

The first comment in the thread talks about dual nationals, presumably people who are naturalized US citizens. Do you mean to apply everything you are saying to naturalized citizens?

I misinterpreted the statement then. Naturalized citizens are different, I thought it was in reference to those who come here for a job, then require a security clearance. That would create conflict in my opinion.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#12

Post by riot504 »

Mz wrote: post #7
riot504 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is from the State Department. There are an array of different clearances. http://www.dss.mil/psmo-i/ps_faqs.html#5 5. Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for a personnel security clearance? No. However, under rare circumstances, a non-U.S. citizen may be issued a Limited Access Authorization for access to classified information. Specific criteria and limitations are provided in the NISPOM. You may also contact your I…

I don't really know the details. I just know my ex husband was career military and he once kind of hand waved off the importance of some security clearance label in, probably, some TV show with the factoid that basically, if you are in the military at all, you have some level of security clearance. I don't know the nomenclature. I don't know if "Top Secret" is really super duper special or if that is, like, anyone ab…

I was in the military with a secret clearance (standard I believe) and you are correct it is very mundane, nothing exciting. There were a few times I had to cover documents when people would come in and couldn't talk about certain projects, but it was nothing exciting. I believe intelligence is worthy at the aggregated level, not at the individual level most of us experience.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#13

Post by username223 »

CalChris wrote: post #6
walshemj wrote: post #2

Article is wrong if you had clearance you don't get to transfer it if you move to a civilian job is my understanding. So is there an equivalent to List X companies in the USA who are allowed put staff through clearance. And for TS clearance I doubt that any dual national other than those because of birth circumstances will be getting clearance any time soon which sucks for SV company employees who are immigrants

You are mistaken. Security clearances go with the person and not the job. Indeed, there’s an entire industry available to people with the correct clearance. Yeah, there's paperwork to do when you move to a new job. https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10977.htm#9 https://www.clearancejobs.com/ For example, Edward Snowden had a clearance and worked for a private company, Booz Allen after first working for the NSA as…

> Indeed, there’s an entire industry available to people with the correct clearance.

Indeed, one of my biggest career mistakes was not taking a job that would have included a Q clearance back before 9/11, when they were handed out much more quickly and freely.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#14

Post by Mz »

riot504 wrote: post #12
Mz wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't really know the details. I just know my ex husband was career military and he once kind of hand waved off the importance of some security clearance label in, probably, some TV show with the factoid that basically, if you are in the military at all, you have some level of security clearance. I don't know the nomenclature. I don't know if "Top Secret" is really super duper special or if that is, like, anyone ab…

I was in the military with a secret clearance (standard I believe) and you are correct it is very mundane, nothing exciting. There were a few times I had to cover documents when people would come in and couldn't talk about certain projects, but it was nothing exciting. I believe intelligence is worthy at the aggregated level, not at the individual level most of us experience.

There were a few times I had to cover documents when people would come in and couldn't talk about certain projects

Sounds like my old insurance job.

You have to comply with both HIPAA and Gramm-Leach-Bliley in insurance. Confidentiality is a big deal. Turning papers face down is standard practice.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#15

Post by eradicatethots »

CalChris wrote: post #6
walshemj wrote: post #2

Article is wrong if you had clearance you don't get to transfer it if you move to a civilian job is my understanding. So is there an equivalent to List X companies in the USA who are allowed put staff through clearance. And for TS clearance I doubt that any dual national other than those because of birth circumstances will be getting clearance any time soon which sucks for SV company employees who are immigrants

You are mistaken. Security clearances go with the person and not the job. Indeed, there’s an entire industry available to people with the correct clearance. Yeah, there's paperwork to do when you move to a new job. https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10977.htm#9 https://www.clearancejobs.com/ For example, Edward Snowden had a clearance and worked for a private company, Booz Allen after first working for the NSA as…

The first link you have makes it sound like clearance does not transfer, unless I’m reading it wrong

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#16

Post by gervase »

walshemj wrote: post #2

Article is wrong if you had clearance you don't get to transfer it if you move to a civilian job is my understanding. So is there an equivalent to List X companies in the USA who are allowed put staff through clearance. And for TS clearance I doubt that any dual national other than those because of birth circumstances will be getting clearance any time soon which sucks for SV company employees who are immigrants

My understanding is that they actually exclude ALL dual nationals, even those whose citizenships were the result of birth circumstances, unless you are willing to formally renounce your second citizenship.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#17

Post by CalChris »

eradicatethots wrote: post #15
CalChris wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are mistaken. Security clearances go with the person and not the job. Indeed, there’s an entire industry available to people with the correct clearance. Yeah, there's paperwork to do when you move to a new job. https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10977.htm#9 https://www.clearancejobs.com/ For example, Edward Snowden had a clearance and worked for a private company, Booz Allen after first working for the NSA as…

The first link you have makes it sound like clearance does not transfer, unless I’m reading it wrong

Security clearances only apply to positions that fall under the purview of the federal government.

Under the purview doesn't mean that you are employed directly by the US Government. Again, from the example, Snowden had a clearance from his previous employment. Yeah, it had to get transferred but he didn't have to get re-cleared all over again.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#18

Post by metaphor »

Mz wrote: post #7
riot504 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is from the State Department. There are an array of different clearances. http://www.dss.mil/psmo-i/ps_faqs.html#5 5. Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for a personnel security clearance? No. However, under rare circumstances, a non-U.S. citizen may be issued a Limited Access Authorization for access to classified information. Specific criteria and limitations are provided in the NISPOM. You may also contact your I…

I don't really know the details. I just know my ex husband was career military and he once kind of hand waved off the importance of some security clearance label in, probably, some TV show with the factoid that basically, if you are in the military at all, you have some level of security clearance. I don't know the nomenclature. I don't know if "Top Secret" is really super duper special or if that is, like, anyone ab…

> ...one path to citizenship in the US is to serve in the military.

True statement.

> So, if all members of the military have some degree of clearance...

False assumption. Jobs that fall under services, personnel, public affairs, medical, contracting, vehicle maintenance, and supply come to mind. This is far from an exhaustive list and will vary in scope between branches of service.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#19

Post by 113245 »

gervase wrote: post #16
walshemj wrote: post #2

Article is wrong if you had clearance you don't get to transfer it if you move to a civilian job is my understanding. So is there an equivalent to List X companies in the USA who are allowed put staff through clearance. And for TS clearance I doubt that any dual national other than those because of birth circumstances will be getting clearance any time soon which sucks for SV company employees who are immigrants

My understanding is that they actually exclude ALL dual nationals, even those whose citizenships were the result of birth circumstances, unless you are willing to formally renounce your second citizenship.

Not true, you can hold a clearance and stay a dual citizen.

Re: Tech Firms Seek Washington’s Prized Asset: Top-Secret Clearances

#20

Post by Mz »

metaphor wrote: post #18
Mz wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't really know the details. I just know my ex husband was career military and he once kind of hand waved off the importance of some security clearance label in, probably, some TV show with the factoid that basically, if you are in the military at all, you have some level of security clearance. I don't know the nomenclature. I don't know if "Top Secret" is really super duper special or if that is, like, anyone ab…

> ...one path to citizenship in the US is to serve in the military. True statement. > So, if all members of the military have some degree of clearance... False assumption. Jobs that fall under services, personnel, public affairs, medical, contracting, vehicle maintenance, and supply come to mind. This is far from an exhaustive list and will vary in scope between branches of service.

I have personally met foreign nationals who were infantrymen. It is possible my statement is overly broad. But if being in the infantry, like my ex was, grants some degree of clearance, then I have personally known foreign nationals in the US military who must have had a security clearance to do their job at all.

I based my remarks on a remark my ex made. I spelled that out as clearly as I could.

My conclusion is correct that my background knowledge suggests, yes, it is possible for immigrants to have some degree of security clearance. But, hey, I googled it just to be sure and posted that. And it is correct that it is possible for foreign nationals to have a clearance.

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