Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo

DOD Personnel: Inadequate Personnel Security Investigations Pose National Security Risks

  Premium   Download PDF Now (69 pages)
Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Oct. 27, 1999
Report No. NSIAD-00-12
Subject
Summary:

Security investigations for Defense Department (DOD) personnel are incomplete and are not done in a timely manner. As a result, they pose a risk to national security by making DOD vulnerable to espionage. For example, 16 percent of the 530 security investigations GAO reviewed identified issues that the Defense Security Service did not pursue. These issues included individuals' prior criminal history, alcohol and drug use, and financial problems. Also, half of the 530 investigations took 204 or more days to complete even though the military wants them completed in 90 days. This slowness causes defense contractors to incur costs because their personnel cannot start work on military contracts without a security clearance. Also, about 600,000 individuals holding clearances are overdue for reinvestigations. DOD is taking steps to address these problems, but it will take considerable time and money to identify and implement the actions and additional steps needed.

« Return to search Government Accountability Office reports