Defense Dept. to randomly screen employees with security clearances

has announced that they will begin the implementation of random background checks for department personnel who hold security clearances. The department previously has only run background checks prior to hiring, and when security clearances must be renewed; this can mean that a significant length of time — up to 10 years — can pass between each screening. According to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, conducting random checks will allow the department to be alerted to information such as an employee’s recent arrest, which they may not find out about otherwise. The changes come less than a year after 12 people were killed in a shooting at the Washington Navy Yard. The shooter, Aaron Alexis, held a security clearance, and commanders failed to report incidences of “disturbing behavior.” There is question whether, had Alexis undergone more frequent scrutiny, the tragedy could have been avoided. The Office of Management and Budget specified that the random employee criminal history checks should be done by priority of the position each employee maintains. The Department of Defense will also take into account suggestions from an independent review, including suggestions that background checks should be conducted internally and that the number of people holding security clearances should be reduced by 10 percent. The latter opinion is because the number of security clearances approved each year has tripled over the last 13 years. Hagel said the Department will also be creating a Defense Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center to look into internal threats.]]>