Personnel Security
UCF Office of Facility Security assists with all aspects of obtaining, maintaining, and terminating personnel security clearances.
Obtaining Personnel Security Clearance
Working on a contract issued by a branch of the United States Government or another defense contractor, and it is determined that access to classified information is essential in the performance of your duties on the contract, you may be required to obtain a personnel security clearance.
Security of Classified Information
The term "classified" applies to information that the Government has determined "requires protection in the interest of National Security". If you require access to classified information or material, the following definitions are important:
Levels of Classified Information
- Top Secret: The highest classification level applies to information whose unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to National Security.
- Secret: The classification level between Confidential and Top Secret that applies to information whose unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to National Security.
- Confidential: The lowest classification level applies to information whose unauthorized disclosure would reasonably be expected to cause identifiable damage to the National Security.
If you have questions about the Personnel Security, please contact the Facility Security Officer.
Initial Security Clearance
Never held a personnel security clearance before, or if your previous clearance was terminated more than twenty-four (24) months ago, the following items are needed in order to process your request for a personnel security clearance:
- Justification for Personnel Security Clearance
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship: Original Birth Certificate, Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate, or a U.S. Passport
- Social Security Card
- Driver’s License
- Contact Information Sheet
- Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (E-QIP), which is the electronic version of the Standard Form 86 (SF 86).
- Electronic Finger Print (UCF Office of Facility Security is able to capture and submit to Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC))
Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP)
The Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) is essentially an electronic online version of the Standard Form 86. Once we have received all the items listed above you will be given instructions how to complete the Standard Form 86. This includes the URL website address, e-QIP Questionnaire Sections Assistance instructions, and Fingerprinting Service instructions. Additional information on the e-QIP system is available on the Office of Personnel Management website.
Initial Security Briefing
The U.S. Government has granted an interim clearance, you will be contacted to complete an initial security briefing. This briefing is required before any access to classified information or material may be granted and you will be informed of the restrictions regarding this interim clearance. When your final clearance is later granted, you will be notified.
The contract under which you are working requires access to special access information such as NATO and your final clearance has been granted (some areas have expectations), you will be provided the appropriate briefings for access during the briefing appointment.
The Standard Form 312
Upon completion of the initial security briefing, you will execute the Classified Information Non-Disclosure Agreement, Standard Form 312 (SF 312). This will be witnessed by the Facility Security Officer or Designee Person(s). A copy of the SF 312 will be retained in our office, a copy is given to the individual, and the original is forwarded to the Cognizant Security Agency (CSA) for retention. This form is retained for fifty (50) years beyond the date of your signature. This should indicate to you the life-long commitment you will be making to protect the classified information to which you have access.
Maintaining Your Personnel Security Clearance
Once you are briefed as a cleared employee, you have certain responsibilities. These are outlined in the Cleared Employees Reporting Requirements, a copy of which was provided to you at your initial security briefing. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, certain reporting requirements, the annual refresher briefing, and a periodic reinvestigation.
Annual Refresher Briefing
The UCF Office of Facility Security is required to provide annual refresher training to all cleared employees. As a cleared employee, you must complete this annual training as one way in which you demonstrate a continuing need for the clearance. This requirement is mandatory.
Periodic Reinvestigations
As a cleared UCF employee, you will be asked to complete an updated copy of the Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) approximately once every (10) ten years for a SECRET clearance, every (5) five years for a TOP SECRET clearance. This is a routine periodic reinvestigation. We will contact you and request that you complete an updated e-QIP Questionnaire.
A copy of your last SF86 may be of help to you in completing the new e-QIP. The UCF Office of Facility Security cannot retain copies of cleared UCF employees’ e-QIP.
Visit Authorization Requests
For Visit Authorization Requests see "Visit Authorization Letters" tab above.
Terminating Employment at UCF and/or Your Personnel Security Clearance
If you terminate employment with UCF by discharge, resignation, or retirement or if the classified contract under which your clearance was obtained ends and the likelihood of your obtaining another classified contract in the near future is uncertain, your security clearance must be terminated. Contact us to make an appointment for a debriefing. If your security clearance is terminated and you are assigned to another contract or obtain different employment for which a clearance is required within 24 months of your original clearance termination date, your clearance can be reinstated quickly.