Security Clearance Insecurity

Retired USMC Commander, former USCYBERCOM Commander and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Vincent Stewart certainly has more than enough laurels to rest on. But he's not sitting down, or spending too much time looking back - he's still moving forward, with a lot of expertise and insights to give. But he is ready for a bit of celebration - and that's what many in the intelligence community plan to do at this year's 2023 William Oliver Baker Award Dinner, taking place June 9.

The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) noted Stewart's extensive career and deep commitment to service and sacrifice in announcing Stewart's selection for the prestigious award. Stewart has been a trailblazer in many of his roles, and was the first Jamaican-American and Marine to head-up the DIA. As a first-generation immigrant, he was also the first in his family to join the military.

"I wanted to do something to give back to my newly adopted country," said Stewart. "When I came here I found that I had significant opportunities...warts and blemishes of this country - there is no other country on this earth where the opportunities are present."

Stewart went from tank commander with USMC, to helping USCYBERCOM with some of the most complex technological challenges and upgrades. Stewart said there were various times in his career, when he considered pursuing something different - but new opportunities, and the right mentors, always stepped in to guide.

That's why mentorship and giving back continue to be a key part of what Stewart does today. He describes his mentorship circle as the Stewart tree - and he has found great reward in seeing young people who once advised, now in some cases moving into the ranks of general officer as he did.

And now into today, Stewart still serves and advises many in the national security space. He said for companies today, it's not if, but when the threat occurs. Cyber readiness and proactivity is simply what has to be done. "The threat is real."

Knowing the breadth of the threats - and also because of his philosophy on service and country, Stewart said he still sees a lot of opportunity and work to be done on the horizon.

Join INSA to celebrate Stewart at the William Oliver Baker Award Dinner June 9.

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Cyber hygiene, CMMC, and ransomware - oh my! - we unpack the state of the current cyber threat landscape with Kurtis Minder, CEO and founder of GroupSense, a digital risk protection agency with expertise across a variety of digital risk arenas. A variety of factors contributed to the steep rise in ransomware attacks across the past several years, including the growth in cryptocurrency and a global pandemic creating more lax security procedures for many moving to home networks. Minder discussed how threat actors are expanding their reach into the government's supply chain, what companies and agencies can do to make themselves less vulnerable, and how to address the current shortage in cybersecurity talent.

In the second half of the program security clearance attorney Sean Bigley and Lindy Kyzer, ClearanceJobs, discuss what to do about all of those 'shady' family members you need to report on your SF-86. Moral of the story? You can't hide who you're related to, and if you do, you will likely find yourself on the other end of a clearance denial or revocation. The good news is? In general, the government is most interested in your reliability and trustworthiness, not that of your relatives.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

National security remains a male-dominated field, with a higher percentage of men filling a variety of roles including those in many security offices. But that's changing, and more women aren't just entering security careers but advancing within them, as well. ClearanceJobs spoke with Amy Grossman, security manager at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. Within the Lincoln Laboratory Grossman has advanced from working personnel security and processing security clearance applications to managing security functions. She chats about how she got her start in security and advice she gives to others considering a security career.

In the second half of the show Sean Bigley, security clearance attorney, and Lindy Kyzer, ClearanceJobs, discuss security clearance employment agreements. If your company sponsors your security clearance, are you required to work for them for a certain term? Are there any special rules or regulations concerning what agreements a security clearance applicant can or can't sign, or that companies can enforce?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Office of Personnel Management recently released a draft version if its new Personnel Vetting Questionnaire, an update to the SF-86, SF-85, and SF-85P forms in one, segmented package. In a period of open comment the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), provided their feedback on everyone's security clearance form. Larry Hanauer, Vice President of Policy for INSA chats about the changes to the form, the positives they see, and recommendations they would still make.

In the second half of the show ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer and security clearance attorney Sean Bigley discuss the PVQ. The form makes significant improvements above and beyond the usual SF-86 - but still leaves room for improvement in areas. The good news is the form isn't quite ready for prime time, and an updated security clearance application won't be implemented until 2024 or beyond.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The intersection of counterintelligence, security clearances, and personnel vetting is what the National Counterintelligence and Security Center does. Michael Orlando, current head of NCSC talks about the current state of suitability, personnel vetting, and efforts to protect U.S. technology and advantage.

In the second half of the program security clearance attorney Sean Bigley and ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer discuss federal suitability guidelines and why they can seem like the wild wild west of personnel vetting.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Security cleared recruiting continues to be a challenge, and 2023 is poised to be the toughest year yet. Evan Lesser, founder and president of ClearanceJobs.com unpacks the macro and micro aspects of the security clearance hiring marketplace. While the number of individuals with a clearance is growing, the world of work is changing. Remote work and the great resignation have created market dynamics where the number of security clearance holders overall is higher - but there may not necessarily be the same number of workers interested in pursuing national security careers.

In the second half of the program we discuss alcohol use or abuse and your security clearance and why alcohol misuse is an adjudicative guideline that could cost you your security clearance.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The holidays can be hard. And there are a few particular hang-ups that crank up around the holidays and could certainly cost you your security clearance. DUIs, sexual behavior issues, and money problems can all come up with increasing frequency over the holiday season. Your clearance eligibility is too important to toss away with a couple of bad decisions. The good news is steps toward being proactive, and self reporting potential issues are the best things you can do to maintain your clearance eligibility.

In the second half of the show Lindy Kyzer with ClearanceJobs and security clearance attorney Sean Bigley discuss conditional clearances. You may be surprised to learn that in rare instances conditional clearances can be granted to help candidates maintain or get a clearance despite issues that need to be resolved.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hon. Ellen McCarthy, chairwoman and CEO of the Truth in Media Cooperative and the former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research joins us to discuss the role of information and media and how disinformation and misinformation are affecting the security landscape. She also discusses the need to break down barrier for the IC to both access and disseminate the open source information that's needed. 

In the second half of the program Lindy Kyzer with ClearanceJobs and security clearance attorney Sean Bigley discuss military security clearances. Many service members obtain a clearance early on in their career, and that can create a few pitfalls - including the issue where a military recruiter may even fill out the SF-86 on behalf of their new service member. That, obviously, can create issues. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is one of the largest technology councils in the nation and represents the region's technology industry. As the cybersecurity hub of the nation, the Northern Virginia job market is hot, with employers large and small competing for tech talent and thousands of job opportunities available. Jennifer Taylor, president and CEO of NVTC talks with Federal News Network about the growth in tech jobs in the nation's capital, and work NVTC is doing to support both workers and companies, and their upcoming Tech 100 event. Tickets are still available for those looking to join NVTC at this year's Tech 100, honoring top companies and leaders in the greater Washington technology community. Tickets are available at NVTC.org.  

In the second half of the program Lindy Kyzer, ClearanceJobs and Sean Bigley, security clearance attorney, discuss the Privacy Act and how it applies to security clearance holders and applicants - just how private is all of the personal information you share on the SF-86? What can your security officer share with your boss? And could other employees find out details you disclose on the form? 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Insider threats are a major risk to all companies, not just those in the national security space. But it's important to know who the threat actors are - and why they're acting. Dr. Eric Lang, director of the DoD Personnel and Security Research Center, or PERSEREC, discusses his work on insider threat, and why non-malicious actors are as concerning as the headline grabbing cases we see. You can read more in his 7 Science-Based Commandments for Understanding and Countering Insider Threats.  

In the second half of the program we talk about the always hot topic of sexual behavior and your security clearance. Attorney Sean Bigley and ClearanceJobs' Lindy Kyzer discuss why in an era where sexual stigma seems largely nonexistent, is sexual behavior still a security clearance adjudicative guideline. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.