Introduction
As a Facility Security Officer (FSO), my job is in constant turmoil. Bickering and disagreement between employees, upper management, managers and oh yeah, do not forget the Federal Government. Differences and variations in processes are parts of realities that are dealt with daily. One particular process or procedure that keeps everyone frustrated is the clearance process.
FSOs are hired to manage the entire security program of a company and be the a liaison between the company and the government. In actuality, a FSO wears two hats, one where he or she performs the required security functions for the company and the other where he or she makes sure the government’s rules, regulations and policies are followed. If violations …show more content…
These pages are submitted electronically along with the SF 86 after a thorough review by the FSO. The signature pages along with SF 86 which are all contained in E-QIP is submitted electronically to the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) for review, approval and award of a clearance by the FSO. If disapproved, the SF 86 is returned to the candidate for corrective actions. At this point, new signature pages are generated with a different tracking number and the initiate process of submitting SF 86 and signature pages are re-accomplished. The FSO resubmitted the package to DISCO and the waiting stage of the process begins. The waiting process could range from several months to a year or more. This portion of the process is strictly managed by the DISCO. In addition, the candidate has to be fingerprinted and fingerprints are submitted to DISCO electronically only. DISCO matches the fingerprints with the SF 86 utilizing the provided information off the SF 86 and fingerprint submission. The only intervention available to the FSO is to check for status and wait while the process continues. If the clearance is not awarded, DISCO will provide a reason for non-approval. Corrective actions are taken and the process is repeated or a new …show more content…
Numerous timeline problems at various agencies, including variances among the federal components in implementing advanced automation due to resources and personnel limitations, and additional component goals that must be met before issuing a security clearance (Farrell, 2010).
Improving activities at the company level revolves around establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be strictly followed. Generating a flowchart that will map the process from cradle to grave, keeping open lines of communications, being transparent with every step of the process. Thoroughly review every applicable document before they are dispatched to DISCO and utilized the Total Quality Management (TQM) concept to find smarter ways to achieve the task with less
As a Facility Security Officer (FSO), my job is in constant turmoil. Bickering and disagreement between employees, upper management, managers and oh yeah, do not forget the Federal Government. Differences and variations in processes are parts of realities that are dealt with daily. One particular process or procedure that keeps everyone frustrated is the clearance process.
FSOs are hired to manage the entire security program of a company and be the a liaison between the company and the government. In actuality, a FSO wears two hats, one where he or she performs the required security functions for the company and the other where he or she makes sure the government’s rules, regulations and policies are followed. If violations …show more content…
These pages are submitted electronically along with the SF 86 after a thorough review by the FSO. The signature pages along with SF 86 which are all contained in E-QIP is submitted electronically to the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) for review, approval and award of a clearance by the FSO. If disapproved, the SF 86 is returned to the candidate for corrective actions. At this point, new signature pages are generated with a different tracking number and the initiate process of submitting SF 86 and signature pages are re-accomplished. The FSO resubmitted the package to DISCO and the waiting stage of the process begins. The waiting process could range from several months to a year or more. This portion of the process is strictly managed by the DISCO. In addition, the candidate has to be fingerprinted and fingerprints are submitted to DISCO electronically only. DISCO matches the fingerprints with the SF 86 utilizing the provided information off the SF 86 and fingerprint submission. The only intervention available to the FSO is to check for status and wait while the process continues. If the clearance is not awarded, DISCO will provide a reason for non-approval. Corrective actions are taken and the process is repeated or a new …show more content…
Numerous timeline problems at various agencies, including variances among the federal components in implementing advanced automation due to resources and personnel limitations, and additional component goals that must be met before issuing a security clearance (Farrell, 2010).
Improving activities at the company level revolves around establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to be strictly followed. Generating a flowchart that will map the process from cradle to grave, keeping open lines of communications, being transparent with every step of the process. Thoroughly review every applicable document before they are dispatched to DISCO and utilized the Total Quality Management (TQM) concept to find smarter ways to achieve the task with less