Security clearances are essential for roles involving sensitive government data or national security. Learn about the different clearance levels, who needs them, how the process works, and what to expect when applying for security cleared jobs in the UK.
Security clearances are an essential part of the process when applying for a job that may have national security considerations or require you to work with highly sensitive government data.
Getting security cleared demonstrates you are of good character and are trusted to handle some of the country’s most confidential assets. As such, it is a critical requirement for a wide range of jobs, both within the public sector and for any government contractors.
There are several security clearance levels you can obtain depending on the role and the type of data you’ll need to interact with. Broadly speaking, the more sensitive the information is to national security, the higher the level required – and the more thorough the vetting will be.
Here are the main types of UK security clearance that you may need to have:
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS): This isn’t a formal security clearance level as such, but it is an essential first step in the process for anyone looking to get security cleared. This is a pre-screening that is required for access to any government assets and looks at your identity, right to work, employment history and any criminal record.
Accreditation Check: Only needed for those working airside at UK airports. Like BPSS, this covers basic identity and personal history and allows holders unescorted access to sensitive airport locations.
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC): This is necessary for anyone with access to information or material deemed to be of value to terrorists, or those with access to public figures who may be a target for attacks.
Security Check: This is required for SC jobs that need access to any data classified as SECRET. It is a much more in-depth process, looking at personal, financial and criminal history.
For those who will require occasional access to documents labelled TOP SECRET, there is also a supplementary Enhanced Security Check (eSC) level for certain specific government roles which sits between SC and Developed Vetting.
Developed Vetting (DV): The most thorough form of security clearance in the UK, vetting for DV jobs is a highly rigorous process that is needed for frequent, uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets. It includes thorough vetting of both the candidate and third parties such as a spouse and must be renewed every seven years.
Beyond DV, the final category is Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV). However, this is only required for a very small number of individuals and requires direct approval from the Cabinet Office.
There are a large number of roles that may require applicants to obtain a security clearance. In general, any position that can be considered important to UK national security will require vetting.
Key sectors that will demand this include:
Within these sectors, specific roles that will likely require clearance include IT specialists, accounting and finance jobs and engineering positions. In some situations, even admin and HR posts will require vetting.
Regardless of the level of clearance you require, you will need to have a sponsoring organisation to start the process – you cannot become security cleared as an individual. The exact steps will differ depending on the level, but all forms of vetting will include basic checks of your identity, work history and criminal record.
For higher level clearances such as SC and DV, you’ll need to fill in lengthy questionnaires detailing your personal and financial situation – both now and in the past. You’ll also need to provide trusted references who can vouch for your character.
SC and DV vetting also require a thorough in-person interview with a trained Investigating Officer from the United Kingdom Security Vetting service.
It’s important to be open, honest and accurate throughout the process, as any omissions or misleading information could result in your clearance being denied.
Most levels of vetting have fixed periods after which they must be renewed. For example, SC clearances last for ten years, while for DV the period is seven years. However, in order to maintain your status, there will be a number of steps you’ll need to follow. These include:
Altered circumstances that will need to be disclosed include a change of name or nationality, divorce, a new partner, significant changes in finances such as bankruptcies or inheritances, or any involvement with the police, such as being arrested or cautioned.
The government also outlines the following unacceptable behaviours that may lead to a security clearance being revoked:
Here are some of the most common questions and challenges related to the vetting process.
It varies, but more in-depth clearances will take substantially longer. For instance, BPSS typically takes between five and ten days, whereas SC takes about six weeks. The DV process, however, can last for several months.
Many people may think a criminal conviction or an issue such as bankruptcy will disqualify them from security clearance, but this is not always true. Each circumstance is viewed on a case-by-case basis. However, failing to disclose issues will cause problems.
Time spent living abroad is not an automatic bar, but you will have to prove your whereabouts and what you were doing during any time overseas. To obtain a CTC, you must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of three out of the last five years, while for SC, you must normally have resided in the UK for at least the last five years.
Usually, yes. If you are refused clearance, the organisation that made the decision should tell you if you have the right to appeal and explain the process you’ll need to follow. This might involve two stages, with the chance of a further internal review at a higher level if your appeal is rejected at the first hearing.
For more information about what to expect during the security clearance process, check out our full list of frequently asked questions.
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