Resources of DoD Adjudication Facilities

Abstract : This report is the fourth in a recent series of audit reports addressing security clearance and access issues. The audit became a congressional request in March 2000 when the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Armed Services requested further review of the security clearance process. During our audit to determine the status of actions taken within DoD relating to access reciprocity between special access programs, we identified problems with obtaining security clearances that affected individuals' access to special access programs and other DoD operations. This report addresses the resources required to ajudicate security clearances efficiently and effectively. See Appendix B for prior coverage. The number of cases requiring adjudication was rising at a rate faster than most central adjudication facilities' ability to process ajudicative decisions in a timely manner, because the facilities' resource requirements had not been fully identified and budgeted. Without corrective action, obtaining a security clearance could become an increasingly lengthy process for DoD personnel and contractors and DoD may be subjected to a higher risk of compromise. For details of the audit results, see the Finding section of this report.