Part One: What do DV and SC on job ads mean for me?

By Fay Capstick

This week and next we will be covering, in-depth, an issue that seems to be causing some confusion among job seekers in the tech and digital industry: the issue of security clearance on job adverts.

We’ll tell you everything you need to know about national security vetting in the UK, including what all those terms mean, why it matters when applying for a job, and how you even get security cleared in the first place.

So what even is a security clearance?

This refers to holding a national security clearance level that is a requirement of the job that you are applying for.

Security clearance is required for government jobs in the UK. It means that you will be working with sensitive data, and they need to check that your doing this will not pose any security risk to national security.

What are the UK levels of security clearance?

There are FOUR main levels of security clearance in the UK:

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Security Check (SC)

Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)

Developed Vetting (DV)

What is BPSS (and EBS)?

A BPSS check is just verifying the individual candidate’s identity and tends to be used pre-employment to screen a candidate. This will be for jobs in the civil service, members of the armed forces, temporary government staff, and government contractors.

A BPSS check will be needed before any higher clearance levels can be granted.

This can lead to the Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS) which will be required before any further levels of clearance can be obtained.

BPSS typically takes a couple of days.

You can learn more about BPSS on the Government website: https://assets.publishing.serv...

What is CTC?

A Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) will apply if you are going to be working with sensitive data, if you will be in proximity to public figures at risk from terrorist attacks, or if your work will involve access to military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments at risk from terrorist attack.

CTC clearance must be formally reviewed every 10 years (and every 5 years for non-List X contractors). Further, clearance can also be reviewed at any point at the discretion of the risk owner. It is possible that CTC may be issued but for a shorter period.

To pass a CTC check you will need to have passed a BPSS check, filled in a security questionnaire, your staff record will be checked, criminal records will be checked, MI5 records will be checked, and you may also be interviewed.

CTC usually takes 6 months to complete.

What is SC clearance?

SC is Security Check. This is the level of clearance that you are likely to see on our job adverts. It is transferrable between government departments.

SC clearances will be reviewed after 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors). Further, as with CTC, clearance can also be reviewed at any point at the discretion of the risk owner. It is possible that SC may be issued for a shorter period.

You’ll require SC clearance if you are applying for a job where you will have access to ‘SECRET’ assets or occasionally ‘TOP SECRET’ assets. SC clearance is also needed in roles where you might directly or indirectly bring about ‘the same degree of damage.’ It will also apply if you are in a role where you could obtain enough information and knowledge to get a full picture of a SECRET policy or project, rather than only smaller fragments. You might also need SC clearance if your career progression would stall without it, or you are likely to need to access classified material from another country.

To pass an SC check you will need to have passed a BPSS check, filled in a security questionnaire, your staff record will be checked, criminal records will be checked, MI5 records will be checked, and you may also be interviewed. Further, you may also need to fill in a financial questionnaire giving a full review of your personal finances. It is also possible that third parties named on the security questionnaire may also be checked.

SC will usually take at least 6 weeks to decide on an applicant.

What is DV clearance?

Developed Vetting (DV) is the top main level of clearance. If you hold this it means that your job will have regular and unsupervised access to ‘TOP SECRET’ assets or ‘TOP SECRET’ codeword material. It is also needed for people not in these posts, but that could still bring about the same degree of damage. It also means that you could have frequent and uncontrolled access to Category I nuclear material, or that you might see classified material from other countries.

DV clearance will be formally reviewed more often than CTC and SC, after 7 years (3 years for non-List X contractors). As with the other levels it can also be reviewed at any time.

To pass a DV check you will need to have passed a BPSS check, filled in a security questionnaire, your staff record will be checked, criminal records will be checked, MI5 records will be checked. You will also have your personal finances fully reviewed, and then undergo a detailed personal interview conducted by a trained Investigating Officer. Third parties on your questionnaire may also be interviewed. The financial review will include a full picture of assets and liabilities covering yourself and your partner.

When your DV clearance needs renewing it will be initiated by your sponsor.

DV clearance will usually take at least 6 months to process.

There is a level above DV, Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV). This is only needed for a tiny number of posts and only a small number of sponsors can even request it. It is extremely unlikely that you will ever come across a job advert requiring this level of clearance.

Next Week

In next week’s blog, we will be looking at some of your questions about jobs that require you to hold an existing security clearance and what this means for you. Hopefully, this will clear up any confusion.

Final thoughts

At Parker Shaw, we have been at the forefront of the sector we serve, IT & Digital Recruitment and Consulting, for over 30 years. We can advise you on all your hiring needs.

If you are looking for your next job in the IT sector please check our Jobs Board for our current live vacancies at https://parkershaw.co.uk/jobs-...