Security Clearance Updates
By John Berry
F or individuals holding or seeking to hold a security clearance, polygraph examinations are often required for certain positions. These examinations can often be a source of anxiety and confusion for many. They can also play a significant role in maintaining national security. However, security clearance holders retain some rights when it comes to polygraph examinations. Understanding these rights is important in deciding whether to seek a position requiring a polygraph examination. WHAT IS A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION? A polygraph exam measures physiological response, such as heart rate, respiration, and perspiration during the course of questioning. The goal is to determine whether the individual is being deceptive. A secondary goal is to obtain information about security concerns that has not yet been uncovered. Polygraph exams are typically used by federal agencies such as the CIA, NSA, NRO, DIA, NGA, FBI, and others, primarily in the context of security clearance investigations or employment screening.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLYGRAPH EXAMS There are several types of polygraph exams for security clearance holders. These exams can include: WHY ARE POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS REQUIRED? For certain higher levels of security clearances, polygraph examinations are required. The purpose of requiring a polygraph exam is for the government to determine an individual’s trustworthiness and integrity in order to access higher-level classified information. Polygraph examinations and the interviews that accompany them also often lead to disclosures of security concerns.
Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph – The CI polygraph focuses on national security issues like espionage and sabotage.
The Lifestyle Polygraph – This Lifestyle polygraph covers broader topics, including drug use, criminal activity, morality, and personal conduct. Full Scope (Expanded Scope) Polygraph – A Full Scope polygraph covers a combination of CI and lifestyle issues. Specific Issue Polygraph (SIP) — A SIP polygraph focuses on particular issues of concern, including espionage, sabotage, unauthorized disclosure of classified information, criminal conduct, or other issues.
16 MAY 2025 | NATSEC@WORK Powererd by ClearanceJobs
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