1. Mr. John Crandell, PSC chairman, convened the meeting at 0930 hours.
Personnel Security Research Subcommittee
2 Ms. Lynn Gebrowsky, chairwoman, reminded the committee that the Personnel Security Research Working Group had been elevated to the subcommittee level in recognition that it will be an ongoing subcommittee with working groups of its own. The subcommittee is currently engaged in a number of activities, including the development of a computerized research database, continuing education programs, and coordination with the Personnel Security Committee in determining future personnel security research needs (see "The Need for Personnel Security Research," below).
SF 86 Working Group:
3 . Mr. Al Witzgall advised that the SF-86 working group is considering if the medical release form be a part of the SF-86, or a separate form. He notes that the release form coverage is being expanded from one year - to three years. He believes that the working group will have their findings ready for the Personnel Security Committee soon.
Investigations Working Group:
4. Ms. Philena Harrington, advised the committee the investigations working group met on 12 December 1997, cochaired by Mr. Brian Dunbar (NRO) and Ms. Lynn Reuschel (DIS). Then group developed a strawman document which had been sent out for review with remarks are due back by 1 March. The comments will be collated, and a revised document will put together and sent to the Personnel Security Committee.
Prescreening Working Group:
5. It was announced that the next Prescreening Working Group meeting will be held at the Security Policy Board Staff conference room on Wednesday, 12 February, at 10;00 a.m.
Financial Disclosure Working Group
6. Mr. Pete Nelson noted that the financial disclosure working group is currency looking at automated databases, including FINCEN and credit bureau databases. They are also attempting to gain access to the US Customs database. He added that Dr. Howard Timm, PERSEREC, is helping to design an algorithm to help flag anomalies in information generated from this effort.
7. Mr. Terry Thompson, SPBS, advised that the working group recently developed questioning techniques to be used in conjunction with investigations to help get at unexplained affluence when conducting SSBI, PR, TS, and Q clearance investigations. Mr. Thompson is now drafting the questions and should have them ready soon.
8 . There was concern expressed that the public be made aware of the linkage between the financial disclosure effort and national security. This is important so that there is an appropriate understanding by those who are subject to the process.
9. It was also expressed the need for additional training for investigators and adjudicators in looking for subtleties that underlie unexplained affluence. Glynco was identified as a possible provider noting that they have a "portable" training program.
Polygraph Policy Status:
10. Mr. Terry Thompson, SPBS, noted that the polygraph working group had met on a number of occasions regarding the polygraph policy and are considering splitting the document into two parts. One part would be the policy portion that would go to the White House for presidential signature, and the other would be an implementing guideline. The group will meet again in two weeks and Mr. Thompson hopes to have a strawman ready by then.
1l . There is also the consideration of breaking out the "adjudicators" portion of the Joint Security Commission recommendations, and focus on responding to the polygraph portion only.
12. Mr. Crandell noted that although the polygraph policy went from the PIC back to the working group without stopping with the Personnel Security Committee, this was do so for expedience, and the policy will stop at the PSC before returning to the PIC.
Forum/DIS Neighborhood Issue: (Forum minutes distributed)
13 . Mr. Crandell advised the committee that there was a vote at the Forum on 23 January 1997 regarding the DIS neighborhood issue. Below is both the language that came out of the Personnel Security Committee, and the language the Forum actually voted on. Mr. Crandell explained that the additions to the original language were negotiated at the last second and did not change the meaning of the PSC version. Therefore, he decided that it wasn't necessary to bring it back to the PSC for review. All Forum members voted in favor of the language except the Defense Information Systems Agency, who voted against it. It was determined that this language would serve as an implementing guideline for the new investigative standard, and would be promulgated through the Forum meeting minutes.
14. "The Personnel Security Committee concludes that, at this time, there is value to be derived through the conduct of neighborhood investigations That is, observation of the neighborhood, neighborhood interviews, and appropriate records review can provide important insights for the adjudication process.- Review of current available data does not presently support a proposal that neighborhood investigations can be eliminated in cases having no matters at issue. That being said, it is believed that the language of the Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) standard for neighborhoods allows any investigative entity sufficient flexibility to meet the standard, provided that A reasonable effort is made to obtain coverage in any investigative category should be compensated for through other investigative means."
15. "The Personnel Security Committee concludes that, at this time, there is value to be derived through the conduct of neighborhood investigations. Observations of the neighborhoods, neighborhood interviews, and appropriate records review can provide important insights for the adjudication process. Our examination of the issue does not presently support a proposal that neighborhood investigations can be eliminated in cases having no matters at issue. That being said, the Committee believes that the language of the Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBl) standard for neighborhoods allows an investigative entity sufficient flexibility to meet the standard, provided that a reasonable effort is made to obtain coverage within the investigative period and that lack of coverage in any investigative category should be compensated for through other appropriate investigative means. The Committee recommends that, building on the most recent studies and analyses conducted for this proposal, this and all other personnel security investigative standards continue to be assesses and refined under the cognizance of the Security Policy Forum to determine common measures of effectiveness and their overall efficacy."
Future Research Vetting:
16. Mr. Crandell noted that the Forum had agreed that all future research would be vetted through the Personnel Security Research Subcommittee.
17. Mr. Crandell and Ms. Gebrowsky reviewed the recent process the Personnel Security Research Subcommittee underwent regarding the DIS neighborhood issue, and reemphasized the need for a complete review of personnel security. The PSC has already taken on the task of developing a computer database that will allow analyst to identify and obtain past research and make contact with other researchers. Mr. Pete Nelson added that there were a number of valuable resources in his off' ce that would be useful for the database, including past studies, legislation, and papers important to personnel security.
18 Mr. Crandell agreed to put together a "core group" of personnel security committee members to think through and frame the overall strategy for this research endeavor. The group will develop a research plan which will be vetted through the PSC then monitored by the Personnel Security Subcommittee for validity and integrity. The subcommittee itself is not expected to do the research. All agreed that there will be funding issues that will need to be addressed and worked out. Hopefully, this core group can have a statement ready in the near future with milestones and dates.
19. Mr. Coby Stohrer though the group ought to consider having an off-site, including adjudicators and investigators, to think through and discuss these matters.
Personnel Security Journal:
20. Mr. Terry Thompson advised the group that there is a proposal to develop a "Personnel Security Journal " It hasn't been determined yet if it would be quarterly or semi-annual The purpose would be to serve as a communication vehicle for personnel security issues government wide. The journal may be disseminated electronically, in print, or both. Mr. Thompson added that this project is of special interest to Dr. Richard Rees, Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Personnel Security.
Emmett Paige, Jr. Memo:
21. Mr. Pete Nelson advised the PSC that the effort regarding the "Emmett Paige, Jr. memo" is strictly internal to DoD, and that the Personnel Security Committee will be consulted if any policy issues were to arise.
Adjudicators Desk Reference:
22. Mr. Richard Heuer, PERSEREC, requested that the Personnel Security Committee review the "Adjudicators Desk Reference" and provide him with their comments, and if well received endorse it for its usefulness. It is understood that this is not policy, but rather a recommendation. The rnernbers of the committee currently using it all agreed that they find it very useful. Mr. Crandell noted that there is new version of the Adjudicators Desk Reference out and requested that the organizations using it - review and comment on the new version.
Security Policy Advisory Board:
23. Mr. Crandell noted that he and Mr. Nelson addressed the Security Policy Advisory Board in Austin, Texas, on 24 January 1997, explaining how and why their organizations do investigations. Secondly, they talked about the linkage between the DCII and the SII database which is scheduled to occur in August of 1997.
Training and Professional Development Committee (TPDC):
24. The progress the Training and Professional Development Committee (TPDC) has made regarding adjudicators training was questioned. It was agreed that the chair of the TPDC will be invited to the next PSC to brief the group.
Future Personnel Security Committee Meetings:
25. Mr. Crandell noted the next several meetings of the Personnel Security Committee will be held at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Although it is not as conveniently located to the metro as some other locations, the committee members expressed that the quality of the conference room is worth the additional effort to get there.
26. The next PSC meeting will be on 7 March 1997, At the Office of Personnel Management.
Meeting Closed:
27. Mr. Crandell closed the meeting at 1200 hours: