5 ms·

I don't know how that works, but I'd be surprised if there were not a sort-of abbreviated check?

scottLobster 9y ago
Why would there be? Pluribus doesn't issue security clearances, the customer agency (in this case the NSA) does. It would be up to the NSA to do any additional background checks/vetting/polygraphs regarding security clearance for any contractors. Working for a contractor/switching jobs is hardly suspicious activity, so the NSA would have no reason to investigate her. Likewise Pluribus had no reason to be suspicious, so the most they'd do beyond the standard corporate background check is call up the NSA to confirm her clearance was active. At the end of the day even the NSA doesn't have the resources to be constantly vetting 100,000+ employees and contractors.
- bdavisx 9y ago
  How about applying machine learning towards vetting social media wrt people with TS and >TS clearance?
  - wyck 9y ago
    I have great name for this start-up, Minority Report...or maybe just boring old Palentir.
    - fnordfnordfnord 9y ago
      I was about to say, Palantir's been done.
  - phaus 9y ago
    Lots of people with TS clearances hate Trump, but most aren't going to ruin their lives just because the president is an asshole. You'd end up ruining a lot of careers and chances are you'd never stop a single leak.
- fnordfnordfnord 9y ago
  No, a contractor like Pluribus wouldn't issue the clearance, but they'd surely verify that the clearance exists and is valid. That seems like a good time to generate a cursory once over of the applicant's clearance. OTOH, since the IC is in the growth hacking phase these days maybe they don't want to do anything to slow down the money train.
phaus 9y ago
There are things that can easily be detected and cause you to have issues with a clearance. For example, if you get arrested or have other significant legal issues, someone will probably find out. Also, if you stop paying your bills long enough to have severe credit issues, someone will likely find out about that too. For social media activity, someone would likely have to report you for anyone to take action. I for one think its pretty reasonable, it sucks working for the government enough already, if we put people under 24x7 surveillance just for trying to serve their country they will go from having very few talented/ethical people working for them to absolutely none.
- jewbacca 9y ago
  That was exactly Julian Assange's original thesis: ---- "The non linear effects of leaks on unjust systems of governance [...] The more secretive or unjust an organization is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie. This must result in minimization of efficient internal communications mechanisms (an increase in cognitive "secrecy tax") and consequent system-wide cognitive decline resulting in decreased ability to hold onto power as the environment demands adaption." https://web.archive.org/web/20071020051936id_/http://iq.org:80/#Thenonlineareffectsofleaksonunjustsystemsofgovernance https://web.archive.org/web/20071020051936id_/http://iq.org:... https://cryptome.org/0002/ja-conspiracies.pdf https://cryptome.org/0002/ja-conspiracies.pdf
- kevin_thibedeau 9y ago
  People with security clearances are under 24/7 surveillance. They sign away their 4th amendment rights by agreeing to the terms of EO12333 and the gov can do anything as part of its investigation process. Sort of foolish for anyone with TS to be blabbing about such things on social media but you know, kids these days.

Why would there be? Pluribus doesn't issue security clearances, the customer agency (in this case the NSA) does. It would be up to the NSA to do any additional background checks/vetting/polygraphs regarding security clearance for any contractors. Working for a contractor/switching jobs is hardly suspicious activity, so the NSA would have no reason to investigate her. Likewise Pluribus had no reason to be suspicious, so the most they'd do beyond the standard corporate background check is call up the NSA to confirm her clearance was active. At the end of the day even the NSA doesn't have the resources to be constantly vetting 100,000+ employees and contractors.

bdavisx 9y ago
How about applying machine learning towards vetting social media wrt people with TS and >TS clearance?
- wyck 9y ago
  I have great name for this start-up, Minority Report...or maybe just boring old Palentir.
  - fnordfnordfnord 9y ago
    I was about to say, Palantir's been done.
- phaus 9y ago
  Lots of people with TS clearances hate Trump, but most aren't going to ruin their lives just because the president is an asshole. You'd end up ruining a lot of careers and chances are you'd never stop a single leak.
fnordfnordfnord 9y ago
No, a contractor like Pluribus wouldn't issue the clearance, but they'd surely verify that the clearance exists and is valid. That seems like a good time to generate a cursory once over of the applicant's clearance. OTOH, since the IC is in the growth hacking phase these days maybe they don't want to do anything to slow down the money train.

phaus 9y ago

There are things that can easily be detected and cause you to have issues with a clearance. For example, if you get arrested or have other significant legal issues, someone will probably find out. Also, if you stop paying your bills long enough to have severe credit issues, someone will likely find out about that too. For social media activity, someone would likely have to report you for anyone to take action. I for one think its pretty reasonable, it sucks working for the government enough already, if we put people under 24x7 surveillance just for trying to serve their country they will go from having very few talented/ethical people working for them to absolutely none.

jewbacca 9y ago
That was exactly Julian Assange's original thesis: ---- "The non linear effects of leaks on unjust systems of governance [...] The more secretive or unjust an organization is, the more leaks induce fear and paranoia in its leadership and planning coterie. This must result in minimization of efficient internal communications mechanisms (an increase in cognitive "secrecy tax") and consequent system-wide cognitive decline resulting in decreased ability to hold onto power as the environment demands adaption." https://web.archive.org/web/20071020051936id_/http://iq.org:80/#Thenonlineareffectsofleaksonunjustsystemsofgovernance https://web.archive.org/web/20071020051936id_/http://iq.org:... https://cryptome.org/0002/ja-conspiracies.pdf https://cryptome.org/0002/ja-conspiracies.pdf
kevin_thibedeau 9y ago
People with security clearances are under 24/7 surveillance. They sign away their 4th amendment rights by agreeing to the terms of EO12333 and the gov can do anything as part of its investigation process. Sort of foolish for anyone with TS to be blabbing about such things on social media but you know, kids these days.