Security Executive Blog

Facility Security Clearances A defense contractor is a business entity that has registered to contract with the US Government and has registered with the Central Contractor Registration. A Cleared Defense Contractor (CDC) is the designation of a U.S. Government Contractor facility that has been granted a Facility Clearance, authorizing them to perform on classified contracts. An uncleared defense contractor may bid on a classified contract without possessing an FCL. However, they must be cleared before getting access to the classified contract. Many defense contractors may find it difficult to find and compete for classified contracts. They may have a unique skill that is hard to identify contracts requiring those skills. But this should not be a showstopper as uncleared defense contractor may partner with or team with an existing CDC for sponsorship. For example, suppose a major defense contractor is performing on a classified contract for engineering support. Their core compe...

Add caption How are security clearances granted? Why does the Government grant them? How does the Government assign classification levels? Who is eligible? First of all, classified information must be protected. Part of the protection is to ensure only properly investigated and vetted cleared employees with need to know get access granted. According to the latest Executive Order, employees should not be granted access to classified information unless they possess a security clearance, have a need to know to get it, received an initial security briefing and have signed a nondisclosure agreement.  Some clarifications should be made concerning who actually gets them. Those granted include the businesses and their employees. Defense contractor are business entities and employees are the people who work there. When a defense contractor gets granted access to classified information, they are then called Cleared Defense Contractors (CDC). Once they have their clearance, then the e...

Opportunities abound in the defense industry where every job discipline requires a security clearance to perform on the contracts. Classified contracts require services that include staffing, janitorial, graphic design, accounting, finance and more. Technical experience is needed as well with mechanics, software designers, engineers, program managers and their support. For the unfamiliar the security clearance process may seem daunting. The lack of information of how to get started, the required forms, interviews, waiting, and expectations can make the entire experience out of the individual's control. However, there is a well-established and efficient process that the government undertakes and you can be in as much control of the experience as possible. A Little Background Whether or not in college, gainfully employed outside of the defense industry, or starting a business, as the reader, you are interested in gaining a security clearance and starting a profession with t...

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Check out our new video and then pre-order your book on security clearances. http://www.redbikepublishing.com/insidersguide/ Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . He regularly consults, presents security training, and recommends export compliance and intellectual property protection countermeasures. He is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook", "ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual", and NISPOM/FSO Training".

http://www.redbikepublishing.com/dodsecurityclearancesandcontracts/ Once a defense contractor is granted a facility clearance, they can begin to prepare to perform on the  classified contract . This preparation could identify potential additional costs. The costs associated with performing on classified contracts will vary by contract and depends on whether or not the Cleared Defense Contractor (CDC) is a possessing or non-possessing facility. The possessing facility is one that performs classified work at the CDC location and may require the storage of classified documents or material on site.  Depending on the contract, this could involve purchasing multiple security containers or acquiring large storage areas for oversized material such as weapons systems or computers. For non-possessing facilities, this does not require the storage of classified information at the CDC. However, the organization will provide cleared employees to perform classified work at loc...