Security Clearance Backlog Analysis: Can the Backlog Benefit from the Personnel System Actively Prioritizing Top Secret Clearance Positions

摘要

The Air Force, like the rest of the Department of Defense, has a backlog of personnel awaiting a Top Secret security clearance. Since Top Secret clearances are costly in terms of both time and money, the goal of this study was to reduce the number of Top Secret clearances requested without changing the underlying requirements for the positions. This study was based on the hypothesis that changing the personnel assignment policy could reduce the number of new clearances requested each year. Statistical analysis was used to determine weather the assignment process currently considers Top Secret clearance status in assigning personnel to Top Secret authorizations. The study output developed several options to reduce the number of new clearances requested. However, further analysis showed that such consideration alone would not sufficiently alleviate the problem.