USG Eases Requirements for Some Clearances

The Director for National Intelligence (DNI) has approved issuing the most sensitive, SCI clearances to US citizens some of whose immediate family members may be foreign nationals. The goal is to attract and recruit into intelligence and other positions within government persons with critical language abilities.

Agencies no longer must show a “compelling need” for an exception to issue clearances to such individuals.

The revised policy is said to be part of a new “approach to security policy which accepts a modicum of increased risk in order to advance mission performance.” According to new guidelines, risk shall be “manageable and acceptable.” The key is “risk management” and, no longer, “risk avoidance.”

The new policy language is included in this DNI directive.

A related news article appeared here.

Hat tip: Secrecy News

Filed Under: Reform, Laws & Regulations