Cyber vetting

**Pal334** · 09-01-2010, 11:46 AM

Even though I have been in this field (subject of article ) for a long time, I am disturbed by this. All of you youngins out in the forum world should read and heed this if you have any aspiration of getting a job doing anything with the government (or its contractor community).

Cyber Vetting for Security Clearances
Posted by William Henderson on 23 Aug 2010 at 12:38 pm The Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) recently obtained information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding a June 2009 report of a study sponsored by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on the use of Cyber Vetting for security clearance purposes. The study involved 349 test cases of intelligence agency applicants who consented to participating in the study and found “adverse information” on 28% of the cases. Adverse information was defined as:
Deliberate and overly descriptive posting of personal and/or work related information on public forums. This includes information about the subject’s specific work assignment, including listing descriptive information about colleagues and/or work site. Adverse classifications were also applied when references were found indicating illegal drug use or pictures appearing to show the subject engaged in illegal drug use.”
ODNI indicated that this was not a detailed study and that it would not be used to suggest modifications to existing investigative standards. “It is simply an initial approach to increase our knowledge and awareness of what types of information are posted in these sites so that educated decisions can be made regarding any future research. . . . If the results of the survey are suggestive and justify further work, the [ODNI] Special Security Center will commence design of a formal research project which will include thorough legal vetting.”
The study recommended the use of internet research, including media, blog, social networking, and professional networking sites as an adjunct to standard security clearance investigations.
Shortly after the statement of work for this study was issue in June 2008, ODNI decided more comprehensive studies were needed. In late summer 2008 ODNI issued RFPs for 2 additional studies with a total price of about $800,000. EFF is pursuing other documents related to the governments use of the internet for investigative purposes and may possibly obtain a copy of the two later studies.
ODNI has stated that:
From the perspective of personnel security, cyber-behavior represents an emerging area of behavior that should be considered as an important part of the adjudication process for granting security clearances for personnel working in national security positions. To address these challenges, adjudication policies must be modernized to incorporate a better understanding of the type and frequency of personnel IT activities. This necessitates identifying which specific cyber-behaviors are normative, acceptable, or favorable as well as identifying those that may be associated with risky or problematic cyber behavior within the workplace.

**Old GI** · 09-01-2010, 12:43 PM

I was told by the investigator during my last bring-up, that the internet is the first place they look.

**Rick** · 09-01-2010, 12:53 PM

And it isn't just government jobs. More and more companies are looking on the internet at things like Facebook as part of the background checks. When you post that risque or nude picture or talk about getting wasted last week-end, your prospective employer is going to see it, too. Yeah, I know, that's not fair. Well, guess what.......

**Justin Case** · 09-01-2010, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

And it isn't just government jobs. More and more companies are looking on the internet at things like Facebook as part of the background checks. When you post that risque or nude picture or talk about getting wasted last week-end, your prospective employer is going to see it, too. Yeah, I know, that's not fair. Well, guess what.......

Not if you have the privacy settings right,, Many people just stick with the standard settings on FB,,, Mine is set to the highest setting, unless i add someone to my friend list nothing can be seen except for my name.

**Rick** · 09-01-2010, 01:04 PM

That's true for FaceBook but there are a lot of social sites out there and people post some pretty stupid stuff on them. The point is to avoid doing that or it could impact your chances of landing a job, civilian or government.

**BENESSE** · 09-01-2010, 01:38 PM

Always err on the side of caution and you have nothing to worry about. It's just common sense in general, but in cyber space where you have no clue about who's who and how that info might be used, it's a smart thing to do.

I absolutely wouldn't want to hire someone who's blabbing to the world about say, what accounts we're pitching, sensitive client info, new product launches, etc, etc. It's a trust issue, and if you don't think that's important regardless of where you work, you need to get in touch with the real world.

**crashdive123** · 09-01-2010, 02:57 PM

The internet popularity (and access) to the internet was nowhere where it is today while I was serving. I held a fairly high security clearance (scary ain't it). I remember my parents telling me about the two men that came to visit and "chat" about me. Many friends, former teachers, professors, friends, etc. also had that chat. It was estimated at the time that my security clearance background checks cost between $250,000 and $500,000. Sure glad the internet was in its infancy.

**Rick** · 09-01-2010, 03:25 PM

And the folks they talked to didn't have "those" pictures.

**Old GI** · 09-01-2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Justin Case

Not if you have the privacy settings right,, Many people just stick with the standard settings on FB,,, Mine is set to the highest setting, unless i add someone to my friend list nothing can be seen except for my name.

JC: It's still on the internet.

**Justin Case** · 09-01-2010, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Old GI

JC: It's still on the internet.

yes that right, but it cant be viewed by perspective employers ,, etc,, I was just commenting about Facebook,,

**BENESSE** · 09-01-2010, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Justin Case

yes that right, but it cant be viewed by perspective employers,, etc,, I was just commenting about Facebook,,

Trust me, it can.

**Justin Case** · 09-01-2010, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by BENESSE

Trust me, it can.

Ya think ? how so ?

**Pal334** · 09-01-2010, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by Old GI

I was told by the investigator during my last bring-up, that the internet is the first place they look.

He really blew smoke at you

Up until about 2 years ago, the individual investigator for that 3 letter agency (confusingly enough it shares those letters with a State Department agency)did not have "traditional" internet access for "Privacy of Information reasons" . As a matter of fact up until 2000 they were writing the reports by hand or typewriter and a clerk transcribed them. Now with improved firewalls (improved equals finally installing them) they have access.

Remember the article is about a government test only. But caution should be used by all.