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We join with those who mourn the loss of life,  the injuries, and the disruption of lives caused  by the attacks  against Washington,  DC, and  New York, N.Y.    All those effected -- the brave people who helped in rescue efforts, those involved in America's response to terror and in the war with Iraq-- are in our thoughts and prayers.

A.     GENERAL

A personnel security determination is an effort to assess the future trustworthiness of an individual in terms of the likelihood of the individual preserving the national security.  Obviously, it is not possible at a given point to establish with certainty that any human being will remain trustworthy.  Accordingly, the issuance of a personnel security clearance and the determination that a person is suitable for assignment to sensitive duties cannot be considered as a final personnel security action.  Rather, there is the clear need to assure that, after the personnel security determination is reached, the individual’s trustworthiness is a matter of continuing evaluation.  The responsibility for this evaluation is shared by the head of the organization, the individual’s supervisor and, to a large degree, the individual him/herself.  Therefore,  the heads of organizations/companies should establish and maintain a process designed to evaluate, on a continuing basis, the status of personnel under their jurisdiction with respect to security eligibility.

This process should ensure close coordination between security authorities and human resources, medical, legal and supervisory personnel to assure that all pertinent information available within an organization is considered in the evaluation process.
 

B.     MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

          1.      Management shall ensure that personnel assigned to sensitive duties or other duties requiring a trustworthiness determination are initially indoctrinated and periodically instructed thereafter on the national security implication of their duties and on their individual responsibilities.

          2.       Management is encouraged to develop programs designed to counsel and assist employees in sensitive positions who are experiencing problems in their personal lives with respect to such areas as financial, medical or emotional difficulties.  Such initiatives should be designed to identify potential problem areas at an early stage so that any assistance rendered by the employers will have a reasonable chance of precluding long-term job-related security problems.

          3.       Security processes should be established to ensure that  supervisory personnel are familiar with their special responsibilities in matters pertaining to personnel security with respect to personnel under their supervision.
 

C.     SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory personnel must understand their special personnel security responsibilities with respect to subordinates.  This includes indicators that may signal matters of personnel security concern, such as those listed in Section III of this guide and other indicators available from the FSO.  Supervisors must also understand the importance of immediately reporting to the FSO any actual or potential adverse information pertaining to a subordinate employee or any other employee of the company.
 

D.     INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Individuals must familiarize themselves with security regulations pertaining to their assigned duties.  Individuals must understand the standards of conduct required of personnel holding positions of trust.  Individuals must recognize and avoid the kind of personal behavior that would result in rendering one ineligible for continuing assignment to a position of trust.  In the final analysis, the ultimate responsibility for maintaining continued eligibility for a position of trust rests with the individual.

E.     CO-WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES

Co-workers have an equal obligation to advise their supervisor or FSO when they become aware of information with potentially serious security implications regarding someone with access to classified information or assignment to a sensitive position.

F.     FACILITY SECURITY OFFICER (FSO) RESPONSIBILITIES

The FSO will supervise and direct security measures necessary for implementing the NISPOM and related Federal and local requirements for classified information.  These responsibilities include but are not limited to submitting reports as required in Section 3, Chapter 1 of the NISPOM.

For more information, see Section IV – Reporting Guidelines