Question 1

What is the purpose of a Facility Clearance (FCL)?

Accepted Answer

An FCL is an administrative determination that, from a security viewpoint, an entity, also referred to as a company, is eligible for access to classified information of a certain level and all lower levels. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "An FCL is an administrative determination that, from a security viewpoint, an entity, also referred to as a company, is eligible for access to classified information of a certain level and all lower levels." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 2

What is a Personnel Security Clearance (PCL)?

Accepted Answer

A PCL is an administrative determination that an individual is eligible, from a security point of view, for access to classified information of the same or lower category as the level of the personnel clearance being granted. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "A PCL is an administrative determination that an individual is eligible, from a security point of view, for access to classified information of the same or lower category as the level of the personnel clearance being granted." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 3

What must happen before a company can access classified information after being awarded a classified contract?

Accepted Answer

The company must receive an entity eligibility determination, also referred to as a Facility Clearance (FCL), and its Key Management Personnel (KMP) and staff will need a national security eligibility determination, also referred to as a Personnel Clearance (PCL). [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "Before Johnson Technology Services can access the classified information necessary to fulfill its contractual obligations, it will need to receive an entity eligibility determination, also referred to as a Facility Clearance (FCL), and its " https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 4

Who must be cleared in connection with a Facility Clearance (FCL)?

Accepted Answer

Essential Key Management Personnel (KMP) in a company must be appropriately cleared, in addition to meeting other administrative requirements. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "FCLs are granted to companies. Essential Key Management Personnel (KMP) in a company must be appropriately cleared, in addition to meeting other administrative requirements." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 5

What are the classification levels at which Facility Clearances (FCLs) and Personnel Security Clearances (PCLs) are granted?

Accepted Answer

FCLs and PCLs are granted at the SECRET and TOP SECRET classification levels. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "FCLs and PCLs are granted at the SECRET and TOP SECRET classification levels." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 6

What is the relationship between Facility Clearances (FCLs) and Personnel Security Clearances (PCLs)?

Accepted Answer

PCLs must be associated with an FCL. In order to be cleared, an individual must be associated with a cleared company and there must be a need for access to classified information. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "Note that PCLs must be associated with an FCL. In order to be cleared, an individual must be associated with a cleared company and there must be a need for access to classified information." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 7

What is the role of the Facility Security Officer (FSO) in the FCL process?

Accepted Answer

The company's FSO will work with the DCSA to determine which forms must be uploaded in the FCL System of Record and will also initiate the clearance request process for PCLs. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "The company's FSO will work with the DCSA to determine which forms must be uploaded in the FCL System of Record." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 8

What is required for a company to obtain a Facility Clearance (FCL)?

Accepted Answer

A company must be sponsored for an FCL based upon a need to access classified information and must provide certain information about itself in the FCL System of Record. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "Obtaining an FCL is a multi-step process. First, a company must be sponsored for an FCL based upon a need to access classified information." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 9

What is the significance of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in the context of clearances?

Accepted Answer

A company's eligibility for an FCL is impacted by the presence of Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence, or FOCI, and whether it can be mitigated. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "A company's eligibility for an FCL is impacted by the presence of Foreign Ownership, Control, and Influence, or FOCI, and whether it can be mitigated." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 10

What is the first step in obtaining a Personnel Security Clearance (PCL)?

Accepted Answer

The process begins when a cleared company determines and verifies an employee will require access to classified information in performance of a classified contract. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "Obtaining a PCL is a multi-step process. It begins when a cleared company determines and verifies an employee will require access to classified information in performance of a classified contract." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 11

What must be included in the FCL sponsorship package?

Accepted Answer

The sponsorship package must include justification demonstrating a bona fide procurement requirement to access classified information, often supported by the DD Form 254. [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "The sponsorship package must include justification demonstrating a bona fide procurement requirement to access classified information. The most common form used to support this need is the DD Form 254, DOD Contract Security Classification S" https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

Question 12

Who are the Key Management Personnel (KMP) that must be cleared in a company?

Accepted Answer

The KMP of a facility must include the Senior Management Official (SMO), the Facility Security Officer (FSO), and the Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO). [Source: CDSE — Clearances in Industrial Security: Putting it All Together (IS125.16) Student Guide — "The KMP of a facility must include the Senior Management Official (SMO), the Facility Security Officer (FSO), and the Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO)." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/IS125-guide.pdf]

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