Since Jan. 2005, the DoD¿s personnel security clearance program has been placed on the list of high-risk government programs and operations. This statement discusses the personnel security joint reform efforts. It addresses: (1) elements of the most recent security clearance reform efforts; and (2) the extent to which the recent reform efforts address key factors that should be considered in efforts to reform the security process. Also identifies best practices that agencies can use to successfully transform their cultures and, accordingly, can guide the implementation of these personnel security clearance reform efforts. Charts and tables.

In light of long-standing problems with delays and backlogs, Congress mandated personnel security clearance reforms through the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA), which requires, among other things, that executive agencies meet objectives for the timeliness of the investigative and adjudicative phases of the security clearance process. Since 2005, the DoD clearance program has been on a high-risk list due to timeliness delays. Based on prior and ongoing work, this statement addresses DoD's progress in: (1) reducing the timeliness of initial personnel security clearances at DoD; and (2) building quality into the processes used to investigate and adjudicate security clearances. Illus. A print on demand report.

Due to concerns about long standing delays in the security clearance process, Congress mandated reforms in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires, among other things, that the executive branch report annually to Congress. The Office of Personnel Mgmt. conducts much of the government¿s clearance investigations. In 2007, the Dir. of National Intelligence and DoD established a Joint Reform Team to coordinate governmentwide improvement efforts for the process. This statement addresses: (1) progress in reducing delays at DoD; (2) opportunities for improving executive branch reports to Congress; and (3) the extent to which joint reform efforts reflect key factors for reform. Illustrations.

Personnel security clearances are used to verify that national security information -- which in some cases could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if disclosed -- is entrusted only to those who have proven reliability and loyalty to the nation. In response to long-standing problems with timeliness and backlogs, Congress mandated clearance reforms as part of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. This report reviews the extent to which reform efforts: (1) align with key practices for organizational transformations; and (2) address identified factors for reforming the personnel security clearance process. Includes recommendations. Tables.

The Dept. of Defense (DoD) personnel security clearance program has been a high-risk entity since 2005, due to delays in the process and incomplete documentation. The Office of Personnel Mgmt. (OPM) conducts most of DoD's clearance investigations, which DoD adjudicators use to make clearance decisions. The Deputy Dir. for Mgmt. at the Office of Mgmt. and Budget chairs a Performance Accountability Council that is responsible for reforming the clearance process. This report addresses the: (1) reporting on timeliness for DoD clearances; (2) documentation completeness for making initial top-secret clearance decisions for DoD personnel; and (3) reporting on the quality of the clearance process. Includes recommend. Illus.

This correspondence provides a preliminary assessment of the timeliness and quality of the DoD personnel security clearance program. These findings are based on an ongoing engagement that the auditor has been conducting since Feb. 2008. In 2009, there will be a report providing more details regarding these findings. In response to a draft of this briefing report, DoD provided written comments and the Office of Personnel Mgmt. (OPM) provided comments via e-mail. The summary and evaluation of DoD's and OPM's comments and DoD's written comments are included here. Charts and tables.

The fed. gov¿t. is the world's largest and most complex entity, with about $3 trillion in outlays in FY 2008. Reports on high-risk areas bring focus to areas needing attention due to their greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. These reports also identify areas needing transformation to address major economy, efficiency, or effectiveness challenges. This 2009 update presents the status of high-risk areas listed in 2007 and identifies new high-risk areas. Solutions to high-risk problems offer the potential to save billions of dollars, dramatically improve service to the public, strengthen confidence and trust in the performance and accountability of the U.S. gov¿t., and ensure the ability of gov¿t. to deliver on its promises. Illus.