FSO Personnel Security & Clearances 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What form is used to initiate a personnel security investigation for a DoD security clearance?
- SF-85
- SF-86 (Correct answer)
- DD-254
- SF-312
Correct answer: SF-86
The SF-86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) is the standard form used to apply for national security clearances.
Question 2: What are the three levels of security clearance in the U.S. national security system?
- Basic, Enhanced, Maximum
- Low, Medium, High
- Confidential, Secret, Top Secret (Correct answer)
- Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Correct answer: Confidential, Secret, Top Secret
The three standard clearance levels are Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret, each requiring progressively more extensive investigations.
Question 3: How long is a Confidential clearance typically valid before a periodic reinvestigation is required?
- 5 years
- 10 years (Correct answer)
- 15 years
- 20 years
Correct answer: 10 years
Confidential clearances require periodic reinvestigation every 10 years, while Top Secret requires reinvestigation every 5 years.
Question 4: What is the 'need-to-know' principle in personnel security?
- The requirement that cleared employees must be informed of all classified programs
- The principle that access to classified information must be justified by an official duty requirement (Correct answer)
- The rule that clearance holders must share information with all colleagues at the same clearance level
- The requirement to notify employees when a security breach occurs
Correct answer: The principle that access to classified information must be justified by an official duty requirement
Need-to-know means an individual must have a specific, official reason to access classified information beyond merely holding the appropriate clearance level.
Question 5: What system replaced JPAS as the primary personnel security management system for DoD?
- DCSA Portal
- DISS (Correct answer)
- eQIP
- NISS
Correct answer: DISS
The Defense Information System for Security (DISS) replaced JPAS as the primary DoD system for managing clearances, visit authorizations, and adjudication decisions.
Question 6: Which of the 13 Adjudicative Guidelines specifically addresses concerns about debt, bankruptcy, and financial irresponsibility?
- Guideline B – Foreign Influence
- Guideline E – Personal Conduct
- Guideline F – Financial Considerations (Correct answer)
- Guideline J – Criminal Conduct
Correct answer: Guideline F – Financial Considerations
Adjudicative Guideline F covers financial considerations, recognizing that financial irresponsibility can make individuals vulnerable to coercion or inducement.
Question 7: What is an interim security clearance?
- A permanent clearance granted after a standard background check
- A temporary access authorization granted while the full investigation is pending (Correct answer)
- A clearance that has been suspended pending an administrative review
- A clearance limited in scope to a single classified contract
Correct answer: A temporary access authorization granted while the full investigation is pending
An interim clearance is a temporary access authorization based on a preliminary favorable review, granted while the complete investigation is still being processed.
FSO Personnel Security & Clearances 1
What form is used to initiate a personnel security investigation for a DoD security clearance?