Security clearances and suitability determinations result from completed investigations. The Office of Personnel Management and the Security Policy Board establish investigation requirements including specific time coverage and costs. Initiating Investigations TASC Security Operations initiates all investigations on positions designated Noncritical Sensitive or higher, as well as contractor personnel investigations. Personnel offices initiate the Low Risk or Non-Sensitive investigations. Paperwork is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management, which has been designated by Executive Order to conduct the investigations for civilian agencies.
Specific paperwork is required for each investigation.
The adjudication process requires that a trained security specialist review information obtained as part of any investigation. The adjudicator reviews all information and determines if there is any information that would adversely affect the appointment of the individual. Adjudications involve both security and suitability determinations. A security determination is made with standard adjudication guidelines, and a decision is made whether the individual can hold a security clearance. The suitability determination process is a review of information to determine if the individual is suitable for the position for which they were hired.