DSS rebranding as part of background investigations shift

摘要

President Trump is expected to "imminently" sign an executive order formally shifting federal background investigations to the Defense Security Service and rebranding DSS as the "Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency," according to Defense Department officials. The agency will consolidate the functions of several entities, including the National Background Investigations Bureau, which exists under the Office of Personnel Management. The NBIB conducts background investigations for the majority of federal workers and contractors who need clearance. DSS will also absorb DOD's Consolidated Adjudication Facility, which makes decisions on whether to grant clearances to DOD personnel. It will also take over the program office working on a new National Background Investigations System at the Defense Information Systems Agency, according to Patricia Stokes, head of the Defense Vetting Directorate at DSS. The directorate was established earlier this year.