Top Secret security clearance

curiosityandthecat · May 10, 2011, 05:13:51 PM

So I'm applying for a job that requires a Top Secret security clearance level and I'm wondering if anybody has ever gone through the process and if they can offer any insights.

(And yes, if I told you what it was, I'd have to kill you.

)

Tank · May 10, 2011, 05:17:56 PM

I had to sign the official secrets act when I was rep to get into some of the military establishments in the UK. I saw the most amazing amount of boring stuff

Tom62 · May 10, 2011, 05:27:46 PM

Quote from: curiosityandthecat on May 10, 2011, 05:13:51 PM
So I'm applying for a job that requires a Top Secret security clearance level and I'm wondering if anybody has ever gone through the process and if they can offer any insights.

(And yes, if I told you what it was, I'd have to kill you. )

You are going to work for Apple

?

Whitney · May 10, 2011, 05:27:57 PM

I have a friend who works for TSA (in the office, not one of the people groping passengers); if her stories about her office mates are indicative of how hard it is to get clearance then you have nothing to worry about.

fester30 · May 10, 2011, 05:37:23 PM

Top Secret is harder to get in cases where you have financial problems or a foreign spouse. Anything that might call attention to credibility or create a security risk could affect it. They'll interview people from very far back in your life that will surprise you. Just don't lie about anything.

Tank · May 10, 2011, 05:44:42 PM

Quote from: fester30 on May 10, 2011, 05:37:23 PM
Top Secret is harder to get in cases where you have financial problems or a foreign spouse. Anything that might call attention to credibility or create a security risk could affect it. They'll interview people from very far back in your life that will surprise you. Just don't lie about anything.

I had a cousin who was involved in the electronics countermeasures systems on a very important project. He wasn't allowed to travel behind the iron curtain (this was a while ago) and had to report the names of people who 'got overly friendly'.

curiosityandthecat · May 10, 2011, 05:49:13 PM

Quote from: Tom62 on May 10, 2011, 05:27:46 PMYou are going to work for Apple ?

Nothing so nefarious.

Quote from: fester30 on May 10, 2011, 05:37:23 PM
Top Secret is harder to get in cases where you have financial problems or a foreign spouse. Anything that might call attention to credibility or create a security risk could affect it. They'll interview people from very far back in your life that will surprise you. Just don't lie about anything.

That's... troubling. I think I should be okay, though. I don't have anything to hide but I do like my privacy (or whatever semblance we have left of it, hah).

xSilverPhinx · May 10, 2011, 10:52:28 PM

Sounds exciting

McQ · May 10, 2011, 11:54:52 PM

Quote from: curiosityandthecat on May 10, 2011, 05:49:13 PM
Quote from: Tom62 on May 10, 2011, 05:27:46 PMYou are going to work for Apple ?
Nothing so nefarious.

Quote from: fester30 on May 10, 2011, 05:37:23 PM
Top Secret is harder to get in cases where you have financial problems or a foreign spouse. Anything that might call attention to credibility or create a security risk could affect it. They'll interview people from very far back in your life that will surprise you. Just don't lie about anything.
That's... troubling. I think I should be okay, though. I don't have anything to hide but I do like my privacy (or whatever semblance we have left of it, hah).

Well, if you like your privacy, you can forget about this particular job. I've had to have a Special Background Investigation done to get Top Secret clearance and one with a "Compartmentalized" component as well (for handling nukes), and they dig deep. If you have nothing to hide, then you're fine. It's amazing how quickly they can research you now though, compared to when I went through it.

For you, there's really nothing to do except wait. They do all the work. You just find out the result when they're finished. I hope you don't have any old neighbors from when you were a kid, who dislike you!

The Magic Pudding · May 11, 2011, 02:09:34 AM

Quote from: curiosityandthecat on May 10, 2011, 05:49:13 PM
That's... troubling. I think I should be okay, though. I don't have anything to hide but I do like my privacy (or whatever semblance we have left of it, hah).

Nah, I don't think a person with a red Che revolution avatar would have anything to worry about.

Whitney · May 11, 2011, 02:17:05 AM

^on that note...if your real name is in any way tied to your internet names they will probably find your online life.

xSilverPhinx · May 11, 2011, 03:50:10 AM

Quote from: Whitney on May 11, 2011, 02:17:05 AM
^on that note...if your real name is in any way tied to your internet names they will probably find your online life.

Which means that they could be reading this right now.

IP?

The Magic Pudding · May 11, 2011, 04:03:20 AM

Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 11, 2011, 03:50:10 AM
Which means that they could be reading this right now.

IP?

Stop pretending.
We all know you're trying to subliminally implant rightest propaganda with that fuzzy staticky avatar of yours.

curiosityandthecat · May 11, 2011, 04:56:42 AM

Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 11, 2011, 04:03:20 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 11, 2011, 03:50:10 AM
Which means that they could be reading this right now.

IP?

Stop pretending.
We all know you're trying to subliminally implant rightest propaganda with that fuzzy staticky avatar of yours.

Damn! Foiled!

I'm hoping that my nature as a geeky academic will enough for them to overlook eccentricities like that. (The avatar is only there because I couldn't find my Craig Ferguson "I KNOW" avatar I used before, hrmph.)

xSilverPhinx · May 11, 2011, 05:04:24 AM

Quote from: The Magic Pudding on May 11, 2011, 04:03:20 AM
Quote from: xSilverPhinx on May 11, 2011, 03:50:10 AM
Which means that they could be reading this right now.

IP?

Stop pretending.
We all know you're trying to subliminally implant rightest propaganda with that fuzzy staticky avatar of yours.

Damn, is really that obvious ???

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Top Secret security clearance