The UK government has several levels of personnel checks that are used to determine an individual’s suitability for access to sensitive information. These clearance levels are based on the level of risk associated with the information, and the potential impact on national security if that information were to be compromised.
The sensitivity classifications
OFFICIAL – The majority of documents and information relating to the public sector.
SECRET – Sensitive information that relates to the public sector and the military sector, that needs to be protected in the interests of national security
TOP SECRET – The most sensitive of information, that if leaked, would cause substantial compromise to the national security of the UK
More information: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/715778/May-2018_Government-Security-Classifications-2.pdf
The baseline checks
BPSS
Is a Basic Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check) is the lowest level of clearance and is used for positions that do not require access to sensitive information on a regular basis but may occasionally overhear or see material that is sensitive (SECRET or TOP SECRET) This would mean you would have access to OFFICIAL documents or information on a regular basis.
This clearance is based on a background check of an individual’s criminal record, including any convictions, cautions, or pending charges. This clearance is usually valid for 5 years and can be extended if the individual’s role continues to not require access to sensitive information.
It’s Important to note that this isn’t a form of secutity clearance, it’s a baseline check, similar to a DBS. It’s also used to see if you would be eligible for a security check.
Accreditation Check (AC)
Is a method of granting access to specific systems or buildings. It is a process of assessing an individual’s suitability to access specific buildings or systems based on their need-to-know and the risk associated with them. This check is usually carried out by an organization or company rather than by the UK government and it is a one-time check. It’s not as extensive as the other security checks and it’s used to grant an access to a specific location or systems rather than an ongoing access to sensitive information. It’s mainly used by the Civil Aviation Authority for access to UK Airports.
The Security Checks
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)
Is a security clearance level that is required for certain positions that involve access to sensitive information that could be used to support terrorism.
This clearance DOES NOT grant the person regular access to sensitive information or documents within the public sector.
It grants the person access to assets, buildings or persons who are of national importance (Public figures etc.) where such things could be used to support terrorism against the UK.
This clearance is used for Police staff and officers and if the staff require uncontrolled access to sensitive public sector information as well, they would also have a SC clearance.
The clearance is based on a more extensive background check that includes a review of an individual’s financial, employment, and personal history. The CTC process also includes a check for any association with known terrorist groups or activities, and is used to identify individuals who may pose a risk to national security.
The CTC process is carried out by the UK government, usually through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and typically takes several weeks to complete. The clearance is valid for 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors) and can be extended if the individual’s role continues to require access to sensitive information.
A non-List X contractor is a company or organization that is not authorized by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to handle and store classified/sensitive information. These contractors do not have the same level of physical and personnel security measures in place as List X contractors and are typically used for non-sensitive projects or tasks that do not require access to classified information.
List X is a designation given to a contractor by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) that indicates the company or organization has been approved to have a secure environment for handling and storing UK official secret material. List X contractors are authorized to handle classified material and have the necessary physical and personnel security measures in place to protect that material.
The CTC is a mandatory clearance for certain sensitive roles, and it’s considered as a mid-range security clearance level, which is higher than the Basic check and lower than the Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV).
Security Check (SC)
Is the next level of clearance after CTC, and is required for positions that involve regular, uncontrolled access to SECRET information within the public sector and/or military departments, but controlled, supervised access to TOP SECRET information that would cause serious damage to national security if it were to be compromised.
This clearance is based on an even more extensive background check that can include a review of an individual’s financial, employment, and personal history, as well as interviews with an individual’s family, friends, and colleagues. The process of obtaining SC clearance may also involve additional checks such as credit checks, and checks for any association with known extremist groups or activities.
This clearance is valid for 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors) and can be extended if the individual’s role continues to require access to sensitive information.
Enhanced Security Check (ESC)
Is a security clearance level that is similar to the Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) and Security Check (SC) but with a higher level of scrutiny. It is typically required for positions that involve access to sensitive information that would cause serious damage to national security if it were to be compromised.
The ESC process includes a comprehensive background check, which may include a review of an individual’s financial, employment, and personal history, as well as interviews with an individual’s family, friends, and colleagues. The process also includes a check for any association with known extremist groups or activities, and the ESC clearance is valid for a certain period of time, usually 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors).
The Enhanced Security Check is typically issued by the government agencies and organizations that handle the most sensitive information, such as the intelligence agencies and the military. This clearance level is usually issued for a specific project or role and is not as common as the CTC or SC. It’s considered as a higher level of security clearance than the CTC and SC, it’s granted for a specific need-to-know and access to sensitive information.
Developed Vetting (DV)
Is the highest level of clearance and is required for positions that involve uncontrolled access to information that would cause exceptionally grave damage to national security (TOP SECRET) if it were to be compromised.
This clearance level is only granted to individuals who have a continuous access to the most sensitive information and is based on an extensive background check that includes deep investigation into an individual’s background, personal life, and associates. This clearance is valid for 7 years (3 years for non-List X contractors) and can be extended if the individual’s role continues to require access to sensitive information.
It is important to note that obtaining and maintaining a security clearance is a continuous process, and individuals with security clearance are subject to regular reviews and investigation.
Enhanced Developed Vetting (EDV)
The EDV process is more extensive than the Developed Vetting (DV) process and usually takes several months to complete. It includes a comprehensive background check, which may include a review of an individual’s financial, employment, and personal history, as well as interviews with an individual’s family, friends, and colleagues. The process also includes a check for any association with known extremist groups or activities.
This clearance level is typically issued to the individuals working in the most sensitive and critical roles in the government agencies and organizations such as intelligence agencies and military.
Summary
There are several levels of security checks in the UK, everyone would be subject to the BPSS (Baseline) check if working with information that relates to the public sector, then if the individual requires access to sensitive information or people within the public sector then there is a range of clearances to choose from.
For example, a police officer who is assigned to general duty would have the Baseline check (BPSS) only, but if they are assigned to a duty or department that deals with crowd control or protection of a public figure, they would require the CTC check.
If the police officer gets a job in a Counter Terror police task force and is assigned to a job that requires regular access to information about a terror group, they would also need the SC or eSC check and perhaps in some cases they may need the DV or eDV check, depending what the job is. It would be either SC/eSC OR DV/eDV you wouldn’t need to do both, DV/eDV supersedes the SC.
Another example is if someone got a job in a Government agency that deals with UK threat intelligence, they would need the Baseline first (BPSS) as with everyone who works in the public sector, but then they would need the DV or eDV clearence, this process could take 6+ months to complete.
For More information on the different levels of UK security checks see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
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