E-qip
Encyclopedia
e-QIP is a secure website managed by the United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that is designed to automate the common security questionnaires used to process federal background investigations
. e-QIP was created in 2003 as part of the larger e-Clearance initiative designed to speed up the process of federal background investigations conducted by OPM's Federal Investigative Services Division (FISD). e-QIP is a front end data collection tool that has automated the SF-86, questionnaire for national security invesigations as well as the SF-85P, the questionnaire for public trust positions. e-QIP allows applicants for federal jobs to enter, edit and submit their investigation data over a secure internet connection
to their sponsoring agency for review and approval.
A cleared contractor's Facility Security Officer (FSO) starts the process in two ways. First the FSO sends an investigation request through the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS). Second, the FSO has the employee complete a clearance application in the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP). After review and approval of that information, the FSO submits the completed e-QIP to the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) for review. Once DISCO approves the information, it is sent onto Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which conducts the actual investigation and sends the findings back to DISCO. DISCO then either gives clearance, or forwards the results to Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) for further action.
(JWICS). The scope of the Scattered Castles Program is to provide a common, trusted repository of individuals' clearance
and accesses, easily accessible by a controlled set of security professionals within the IC
with a valid need to verify clearance and access information.
Security clearance
A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal...
. e-QIP was created in 2003 as part of the larger e-Clearance initiative designed to speed up the process of federal background investigations conducted by OPM's Federal Investigative Services Division (FISD). e-QIP is a front end data collection tool that has automated the SF-86, questionnaire for national security invesigations as well as the SF-85P, the questionnaire for public trust positions. e-QIP allows applicants for federal jobs to enter, edit and submit their investigation data over a secure internet connection
Transport Layer Security
Transport Layer Security and its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer , are cryptographic protocols that provide communication security over the Internet...
to their sponsoring agency for review and approval.
Security Clearance Requirements
An individual cannot apply for a Security Clearance. A cleared federal contractor or government entity must sponsor you. You either (a) must be an employee of or consultant for that cleared contractor, or (b) you've received and accepted a written offer of employment from the cleared contractor. That offer must also indicate your employment will begin within 30 days of receiving your clearance, (c) a member of the United States Armed Forces, or (d) authorized federal employeeA cleared contractor's Facility Security Officer (FSO) starts the process in two ways. First the FSO sends an investigation request through the Joint Personnel Adjudication System (JPAS). Second, the FSO has the employee complete a clearance application in the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP). After review and approval of that information, the FSO submits the completed e-QIP to the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office (DISCO) for review. Once DISCO approves the information, it is sent onto Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which conducts the actual investigation and sends the findings back to DISCO. DISCO then either gives clearance, or forwards the results to Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) for further action.
Intelligence Community Clearances
The Intelligence Community Security Clearance Repository, commonly known as Scattered Castles, is an up-to-date, authoritative source of clearance and access information on approximately 2 million IC and Department of Defense personnel. Scattered Castles is hosted as Community of Interest (COI) on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications SystemJoint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System
The Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System , is a system of interconnected computer networks used by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of State to transmit classified information by packet switching over TCP/IP in a secure environment.It is cleared...
(JWICS). The scope of the Scattered Castles Program is to provide a common, trusted repository of individuals' clearance
Security clearance
A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal...
and accesses, easily accessible by a controlled set of security professionals within the IC
United States Intelligence Community
The United States Intelligence Community is a cooperative federation of 16 separate United States government agencies that work separately and together to conduct intelligence activities considered necessary for the conduct of foreign relations and the protection of the national security of the...
with a valid need to verify clearance and access information.