Many jobs for contractors require security clearance. In this blog we will consider the different types of security clearance and how a UK contractor can obtain them.
What is a contractor?
A contractor is essentially someone who performs work for a business or organisation on a contractual basis.
Contractors often work on a self-employed basis, either as a sole trader or through their own limited company*. They might also be employed by an agency or umbrella company which, in turn, offers their services to an end client.
What is security clearance?
‘Security clearance’ refers to the performance of a variety of background checks and the vetting process of an individual.
Security clearance procedures are designed to determine whether someone can be deemed trustworthy and if it is appropriate to share certain types of information with them.
In general, security clearance is required for anyone working on matters which pertain to national security or other sensitive and classified materials. Contractors working for the Ministry of Defence will usually require some level of security clearance.
Sponsorship is required for security clearance
Contractors are unable to apply for security clearance by themselves. Instead, it is necessary for their client to request security clearance on their behalf.
For purposes of security clearance, their client is known as their ‘sponsor’ and the act of requesting security clearance is called ‘sponsorship’. The sponsor will often be the Ministry of Defence, another government department or a business which holds a governmental contract.
Security clearance levels/types
There are various types of security clearance which we will set out below.
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
The Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) is not considered a formal security clearance but it is required for contractors who have access to any government assets.
It is also a pre-requisite for any of the formal types of security clearance (see below).
BPSSS allows access to UK official assets and occasional access to UK secret assets. It is needed for any contractors working in areas where secret or top secret information may be overheard, or those who require access to the Public Services Network (PSN).
Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)
The Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) is designed to mitigate against the risks of terrorists gaining access to information which could compromise national security.
Contractors require a CTC if they are to be assigned to posts which:
- involve proximity to public figures assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack; or
- grant access to information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists; or
- involve unescorted access to military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments which have been assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack.
Security Check (SC)
A Security Check (SC) needs to be undertaken by contractors who are assigned to posts which require them to have long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to secret assets and/or occasional supervised access to top secret assets.
It is also required if they could cause the same degree of damage even if they are not in such a post. An SC is also required for contractors who:
- will have sufficient knowledge to obtain a comprehensive picture of a secret plan, policy or project; or
- are being considered for employment where it would not be possible to make reasonable career progress without security clearance for access to secret assets; or
- require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another country or international organisation.
Enhanced Security Check (eSC)
An Enhanced Security Check (eSC) grants regular uncontrolled access up to secret assets and occasional, controlled access to top secret assets.
It is required for contractors who perform specific roles where an additional level of assurance is required above and beyond a standard Security Check. An eSC is available for contractors who hold:
- posts in which there is a requirement to access secret code word material; or
- posts that have been designated as requiring an eSC because of the level of access they confer to certain specified information systems; or
- certain overseas posts that have been assessed as exposing the contractor to a significant espionage threat and/or have a lower than average level of management oversight.
Developed Vetting (DV)
Contractors are required to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) if they hold a post which requires them to have frequent and uncontrolled access to top secret assets or require any access to top secret codeword material (or could otherwise cause the same degree of damage).
DV is also needed for contractors who:
- require frequent and uncontrolled access to Category I nuclear material; or
- require access to certain levels of classified material originating from another country or international organisation.
Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV)
Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV) is required for a very small number of posts which require even more stringent security checks than standard Developed Vetting.
What information needs to be provided?
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
The following checks are required for BPSS:
- Identity
- Last three years of employment history
- National and immigration status
- Unspent criminal records
- An account of any significant periods of time (6 months or more) over the past three years spent abroad
Counter Terrorist Check (CTC)
The following checks are required for CTC:
- Successful completion of the BPSS
- Completion of a security questionnaire
- A departmental or company records check which includes certain personal files (e.g. sick leave and security records)
- Check of spent and unspent criminal records
- Check of Security Service records
If the above checks require further investigation, the contractor may also be interviewed.
Security Check (SC)
The following checks are required for a Security Check:
- Successful completion of the BPSS
- Completion of a security questionnaire
- A departmental or company records check
- Check of spent and unspent criminal records
- Check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Check of Security Service records
If the above checks require further investigation, the contractor may also be interviewed.
In the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the contractor may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out.
Furthermore, there may be checks of third parties included on the security questionnaire.
Enhanced Security Check (eSC)
The following checks are required for an Enhanced Security Check:
- Successful completion of the BPSS
- Completion of a Security Questionnaire, Financial Questionnaire and Internet Questionnaire
- A departmental or company records check
- Check of spent and unspent criminal records
- Check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Check of Security Service records
In addition to the above checks, there will also be a detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer. Certain checks may be extended to third parties who have been included on the security questionnaire.
Furthermore, there will be a full review of the contractor’s personal finances, included an assessment of their:
- Assets
- Liabilities
- Income and expenditure
The review of their personal finances will consider both their individual position and, if they have a spouse or partner, the joint position with their spouse or partner.
Developed Vetting (DV)
The following checks are required for Developed Vetting:
- Successful completion of the BPSS
- Completion of a special Developed Vetting security questionnaire
- A departmental or company records check
- Check of spent and unspent criminal records
- Check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Check of Security Service records
- Full review of personal finances
In addition to the above checks, there will also be a detailed interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer.
Certain checks may be extended to third parties who have been included on the security questionnaire. There will also be additional enquiries carried out which include interviews with referees conducted by a trained Investigating Officer.
Furthermore, there will be a full review of the contractor’s personal finances, including their assets, liabilities and income and expenditure. As with the Enhanced Security Check, this will look at both individual finances and joint finances with a spouse or partner if applicable.
Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV)
The following checks are required for Enhanced Developed Vetting:
- Completion of a special Developed Vetting security questionnaire, which will additionally include an element on family and travel
- Check of spent and unspent criminal records
- Check of Security Service records
- Check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- A full financial investigation
There will additionally be interviews carried out by a trained Investigating Officer of the contractor, their supervisor and referees. Checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.
As with the Developed Vetting application, there will also be a full review of personal finances, including individual and joint assets, liabilities, income and expenditure, etc.
Security clearance waiting times
Security clearance waiting times can vary drastically, depending on the type of checks which need to be carried out. The Baseline Personnel Security Standard can take a matter of days and the service is offered by a variety of private sector companies.
But the other types of security clearance are administered by the United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) which is part of the Cabinet Office.
These checks can take a lot longer. For example, Security Checks normally take between 1 – 3 months whilst Developed Vetting can take up to 9 months.
