Point(s) of Contact
Pamela Hamilton / FSO
843.327.3273
pamela@appliedsecurityknowledge.com
Richard Carmichael / ITPSO
678.221.7834
rcarmichael@laochservices.com
DoD Hotline
dodig.mil/hotline / 800.424.9098
SOURCE: Clearance Jobs by Marco Hakamaa – May 2, 2022
In total, 37 states have now legalized medical or recreational marijuana use and others have changed laws to decriminalize use or possession. However, under federal law, security clearance applicants and holders must still refrain from any use involving cannabis. This also applies to those who are thinking about investing in stocks or business ventures that specifically pertain to marijuana growers and retailers.
Per the guidance from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) memorandum dated December 21, 2021 "an individual's eligibility for access to classified information or eligibility to hold a sensitive position may be impacted negatively should that individual knowingly and directly invest in stocks or business ventures that specifically pertain to marijuana growers and retailers while the cultivation and distribution of marijuana remains illegal under the Controlled Substances Act." The ODNI, during a presentation in January 2022, further clarified that any marijuana-related investment "through a diversified mutual fund that is publicly-traded on a U.S. exchange" should be presumed to have been made unwittingly and that "divestment or disassociation of willful, direct investment in such activities should be considered a mitigating factor."
Although many members of congress and industry analysts all agree current policy guidance and laws are antiquated and need to be aligned with modern societal views giving more leeway to those who did use marijuana, if you want to obtain or keep security clearance eligibility then stay away from using any marijuana products or investing in businesses until it becomes legal under federal law.
SOURCE: Clearance Jobs by Lindy Kyzer – July 27, 2022
The contradiction between federal laws making marijuana use illegal and the growing swath of states legalizing the drug continues to trip up those applying for positions with the federal government. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has sought to clarify policies on marijuana use, but continues to emphasize how drug use while holding a security clearance remains a major fact against applicants. Ignorance of the laws, even drug laws, is rarely a workable excuse.
We have cautioned here – despite changing views toward marijuana use, the 'accidental' drug user rarely gets a pass when it comes to a security clearance determination. That particularly holds true for individuals who are found to be using drugs while actively holding a security clearance. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued clarifying guidance around marijuana use, and specifically indicating that period of abstinence should begin at the time the SF-86 was submitted, and that illegal marijuana use alone shouldn't be determinative in a clearance adjudication, but should be evaluated based on the whole person concept.
SOURCE: FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation – March 7, 2022
Experts say it's a viable threat, and U.S. businesses of all sizes need to be on guard because, as you will see, everyone is at risk.
The FBI's Office of Private Sector, Counterintelligence Division and Training Division present this 30-minute film entitled Made in Beijing: The Plan for Global Market Domination. In the world of global adversaries, the People's Republic of China stands at the forefront with its sustained and brazen campaign of industrial espionage, posing the single greatest threat to our freedom, national security, and economic vitality. Made in Beijing: The Plan for Global Market Domination sounds the alarm, helping private sector partners recognize the urgent need to protect their crown jewels against industrial espionage
SOURCE: AP News by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher and Brian Melley – July 27, 2022
HONOLULU (AP) — A U.S. defense contractor and his wife who lived for decades under the identities of two dead Texas children have been charged with identity theft and conspiring against the government, according to federal court records unsealed in Honolulu.
Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison, both in their 60s, who allegedly lived for decades under the names Bobby Edward Fort and Julie Lyn Montague, respectively, were arrested Friday in Kapolei on the island of Oahu.
Prosecutors are seeking to have the couple held without bail, which could indicate the case is about more than fraudulently obtaining drivers' licenses, passports and Defense Department credentials.
SOURCE: Clearance Jobs by Peter Suciu – July 22, 2022
Those five words can get most people's ears to perk up, especially in our modern world where we're encouraged to constantly "share" – whether it be on social media, comment after a news article, or leave feedback on an Amazon purchase. It isn't just children who are encouraged to share their snacks at lunchtime, we're all essentially told to share our opinions on everything.
This has certainly resulted in too much "over-sharing," where people can get in trouble by saying too much about a colleague, or by providing photos the world really didn't need to see. The bigger problem is that many people are sharing classified secrets.
The fact that a few people get to know what is the proverbial "secret sauce" is akin to a superpower. For some that can make them feel special, simply because it allows them to be the Oracle of this surreptitious knowledge.
SOURCE: Silicon Republic by Leigh McGowran – August 4, 2022
Akamai said the growing value in gaming has attracted more criminals seeking to disrupt online games and steal valuable player accounts.
Cyberattacks targeting the gaming industry have risen rapidly amid the sector's recent boom, according to a new report from Akamai Technologies.
Akamai noted that the gaming industry experienced a major boost amid Covid-related lockdowns and social distancing. This growth hasn't slowed down, but the rising value has attracted the attention of cybercriminals.
The company's latest State of the Internet report said web application attacks on gaming companies and player accounts have grown by 167pc in the last 12 months, impacting millions of gamers around the world.
The report said these attacks put player accounts at risk of being compromised, which can result in the selling of gaming accounts and the theft of personal information such as card card details.
Check your digital footprint – if you are unsure of your digital footprint, Answer "yes" or "no" to the questions below, then calculate the total number of "yes" answers to determine the complexity of your footprint.
> 5 = A digital footprint that is less complex than most internet users
5 – 12 = A digital footprint that is average for most internet users
12 + = A digital footprint that is more complex than most internet users
SOURCE: Justice.gov - July 27, 2021
A Tennessee man was sentenced today to 45 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally obtaining classified national defense information and disclosing it to a reporter.
According to court documents, Daniel Everette Hale, 33, of Nashville, began communicating with a reporter beginning in April 2013 while enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and assigned to the National Security Agency (NSA). Hale admitted to meeting with the reporter in person on multiple occasions and communicating with the reporter via phone, text message, email and, at times, an encrypted messaging platform.
In February 2014, while working as a cleared defense contractor at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Hale printed six classified documents unrelated to his work at NGA and soon after exchanged a series of messages with the reporter. Each of the six documents printed were later published by the reporter's news outlet.
SOURCE: CDSE
SOURCE: Clearance Jobs by Lindy Kyzer – August 19, 2022
Same requirement, compliance now inspectable – The requirement for cleared/covered individuals has been in effect for some time, but as of 24 August 2022, DCSA can now inspect company records for compliance.
Whether you're traveling to British Columbia to ski or to the Caribbean to lounge on the beach, if you're a security clearance holder, you need to report your planned overseas excursions to your security officer.
THE WHY AND THE WHAT BEHIND FOREIGN TRAVEL REPORTING
Foreign travel means foreign travel reporting. Not because your boss wants to see your bikini beach photos, but because she wants to make sure when you travel, you're traveling safely.
Both business and personal travel need to be reported, and your security officer should be notified at least 30 days prior to the trip. If you go on a spur on the moment day trip to Mexico, you still need to report it to your security officer after the fact – and you should try not to make it a habit.
Your security officer will likely ask you to provide the countries you're planning to visit, along with dates, the purpose of your travel, where you'll stay, and a point of contact for each location. If you're planning to visit any foreign nationals you know by name, you'll need to report that, as well. Many agencies have their own standard reporting forms.