Will telephone interviews be reinstated for the background check process?

Certain Enhanced Subject Interviews (ESIs) or Special Interviews (SPINs) are required during periods when the security clearance backlog is at its peak (or during stay-at-home orders during a global pandemic). Measures have been introduced to allow the use of VTC or telephone interviews. Security clearance application. Therefore, DCSA, its contractors, and permit applicants awaited a final ruling in hopes that these remote tactics would alleviate the backlog of investigations.

And while it did, that number is growing, and conversations among background investigators on CleananceJobsBlog say the actual phone game may be coming back.

Old and new eras have different opinions on the style of background checks. While in-person interviews may uncover more red flags, some people find virtual interviews more convenient and time-saving. VTC interviews can be difficult for non-technical people, but aren’t spending hours on one subject overloading your case and contributing to your backlog?

We’ve covered this topic before, and this discussion will continue for years to come as technology advances, new generations enter the security workforce, and clearance best practices change.

The purpose of interviewing the subject is to verify the information provided by the candidate on the security clearance application and to uncover any red flags that may indicate a potential security risk. The interviewer may ask questions about the candidate’s personal and professional conduct, financial situation, foreign contacts, drug and alcohol use, and other actions that may be relevant to suitability for security screening. there is. Is it enough to talk on the phone? Direct reference?

Background investigators certainly have the following opinion:

“Anecdotally, I was recently interviewed as a reference for another person’s investigation. I was offered both in person and over the phone. I thought a phone call would save both of us commute time. I felt it was too superficial and impersonal, so maybe it would be better to send out the survey via email instead. I feel more comfortable and secure both professionally and professionally.”

“I think it’s funny that policy makers are doing so many phone interviews back and forth. A few months ago, the source had to do a phone interview while he was practically dying in the hospital. Don’t get me wrong. I wish it were, but it just made my job so much easier.”

“Theoretically, these are national security issues, so a face-to-face meeting makes the most sense. In reality, they know very little about the topic at Starbucks, have no real oversight, and they Like I said, driving 45 minutes to meet someone who doesn’t even live next door is a huge waste of time and resources. Most sources of information should be done over the phone unless expected.”

“A 45-minute drive? In the western metropolitan area where I live, that means several one-way trips every day. Last Monday, I was stupid to not have a phone interview, so I drove over 6 hours round trip. I drove to interview my subject’s former boss who was working remotely. Six hours is not every day, but my area covers an area that spans three states and two time zones. , that’s not unusual. Thursday was a 4.5 hour round trip and there was nothing else in the area. My modest organization was down a few agents. What’s really bothering me is that other areas Either you believe that our work is necessary, or you are submitting an extension “with permission from the SAC.” In my area, there has never been a decrease in work in over 21 years, even during the coronavirus pandemic. Telephone/VTC interviews were the perfect tool for his brief TESI and source interviews remotely. ”

No official guidance has been released yet, but you can read all the comments here.