Security Watchdog - Online Screening

[MojoDog]

Yes sounds very much like my experience.
Refused to provide the character references for the gaps, I said I was self employed so there was no gap, just no contract during these so called "gaps"

I dread to think how much they bill the client for this 'service' - it's a complete nonsense that provides no value that I can see whatsoever.

Crapita - you bring the smoke, we'll bring the mirrors...

[Eirikur]

Well,

Hopefully I'm almost at the end of a Kafka-esque nightmare of pointless bureaucracy and box-ticking.

The 'Security Screening' is not, as I first thought, an in-depth screening of your background to ensure that you are suitable for the role to which it pertains.

Oh no. The online questionnaire comprises generic questions about your background, employment and education. The only thing that they check on is the information that you enter - none of which is compulsory other than you have to enter something in order to fill out each box and you have to fill out each box before the form is complete.

The 'screening' part is little more than proving what you've put in the box. For example; under 'Education' I noted that I had attended a university from <date> to <date> and attained a qualification - this was followed up by an email asking me to provide evidence that I had attended from <date> to <date> and to provide evidence that I had attained the qualification.
If I had simply put N/A then no one would have been the wiser.

In the 'Employment' section I included gaps between gigs - this resulted in an email asking me for details of a referee who could verify that I was benched during those times. When I said that I could provide details of agents could verify the start and end dates of my contracts, the response was "you need to have known them for 5 years"...

Once through to the person's supervisor, I explained calmly my frustrations and it transpired that I had been confused by the wording of the question, to which the supervisor admitted that the form is in the process of being improved.

It's a barely concealed rip-off.

Yes sounds very much like my experience.
Refused to provide the character references for the gaps, I said I was self employed so there was no gap, just no contract during these so called "gaps"

[MojoDog]

Well,

Hopefully I'm almost at the end of a Kafka-esque nightmare of pointless bureaucracy and box-ticking.

The 'Security Screening' is not, as I first thought, an in-depth screening of your background to ensure that you are suitable for the role to which it pertains.

Oh no. The online questionnaire comprises generic questions about your background, employment and education. The only thing that they check on is the information that you enter - none of which is compulsory other than you have to enter something in order to fill out each box and you have to fill out each box before the form is complete.

The 'screening' part is little more than proving what you've put in the box. For example; under 'Education' I noted that I had attended a university from <date> to <date> and attained a qualification - this was followed up by an email asking me to provide evidence that I had attended from <date> to <date> and to provide evidence that I had attained the qualification.
If I had simply put N/A then no one would have been the wiser.

In the 'Employment' section I included gaps between gigs - this resulted in an email asking me for details of a referee who could verify that I was benched during those times. When I said that I could provide details of agents could verify the start and end dates of my contracts, the response was "you need to have known them for 5 years"...

Once through to the person's supervisor, I explained calmly my frustrations and it transpired that I had been confused by the wording of the question, to which the supervisor admitted that the form is in the process of being improved.

It's a barely concealed rip-off.

[MojoDog]

OK, so if you know the rules you also know that the Security Watchdog will have no authority over SC clearance, all they can do is kick start the process that the SSOs should be following anyway.

As you say, more pointless outsourcing of activities that are actually really simple, just to make life ever more complicated.

Not pointless to Crapita...they've somehow sold it as a 'Must Have' feature, and got away with it.

Shrouded within the cloak of ineptitude there lies a grain of intelligence, or at the very least, low animal cunning...

[malvolio]

Erm... For one thing, having been security cleared for over 10 years, I'm well aware of the usual protocol.
As my original question suggests, this is the first time I have encountered The Security Watchdog and am merely following the instructions promulgated by them to upload a Clearance Transfer Form.
For another thing, what I have now is SC Clearance, granted whilst working on a nuclear site. What the new client (also in the nuclear industry) thinks - having discussed this at interview - is suitable is SC Clearance.

But thanks for your comments

OK, so if you know the rules you also know that the Security Watchdog will have no authority over SC clearance, all they can do is kick start the process that the SSOs should be following anyway.

As you say, more pointless outsourcing of activities that are actually really simple, just to make life ever more complicated.

[MojoDog]

Ermm... Exactly how do you intend transferring your clearance? It goes with the role, not you, and it's a matter between the two site security officers; what you have now may not be suitable for the new role, for one thing.

So good luck with that; could be the Capita guy actually understands perfectly well...

Erm... For one thing, having been security cleared for over 10 years, I'm well aware of the usual protocol.
As my original question suggests, this is the first time I have encountered The Security Watchdog and am merely following the instructions promulgated by them to upload a Clearance Transfer Form.
For another thing, what I have now is SC Clearance, granted whilst working on a nuclear site. What the new client (also in the nuclear industry) thinks - having discussed this at interview - is suitable is SC Clearance.

But thanks for your comments

[malvolio]

I'm just looking to transfer my SC. I've even uploaded the actual certificate. If it's gonna take 2-3 weeks they can whistle and I'll stay where I am.

Maybe I'm being pessimistic but I called the 'help' number because one of the forms wouldn't download. The bloke at the other end sounded like he CBA...

Me: 'Well, I'd like to get this done as soon as possible, please. Could you email the form, please?"

Bloke: "Yeah, OK. No problem..."

Awkward silence

Me: "So shall I give you my email address then...?"

Bloke: "Oh yeah...."

Heard nothing since.

I do hope the curse of Capita doesn't strike me again. Every single gig application with them has been fraught with unnecessary stress.

Ermm... Exactly how do you intend transferring your clearance? It goes with the role, not you, and it's a matter between the two site security officers; what you have now may not be suitable for the new role, for one thing.

So good luck with that; could be the Capita guy actually understands perfectly well...

[MojoDog]

BPSS is about three days now, SC 2-3 weeks on average - provided everyone gets all the information right first time and passes it on immediately. Most delays are caused by people these days, not the process.

And what far too many don't appreciate is that you can start once you have BPSS, even for SC roles...

I'm just looking to transfer my SC. I've even uploaded the actual certificate. If it's gonna take 2-3 weeks they can whistle and I'll stay where I am.

Maybe I'm being pessimistic but I called the 'help' number because one of the forms wouldn't download. The bloke at the other end sounded like he CBA...

Me: 'Well, I'd like to get this done as soon as possible, please. Could you email the form, please?"

Bloke: "Yeah, OK. No problem..."

Awkward silence

Me: "So shall I give you my email address then...?"

Bloke: "Oh yeah...."

Heard nothing since.

I do hope the curse of Capita doesn't strike me again. Every single gig application with them has been fraught with unnecessary stress.

[Troll]

Wonder if it is natives or Bobs working there

The Security Watchdog Screening Bureau is Europe's most progressive international screening organisation. We have the experience, knowledge and capabilities to support private and public sector organisations on nationwide basis. We design, develop, implement and support bespoke pre-employment scree ning programmes. Verification services comprise of Identity, Employment, Education, Qualifications, Criminality, Finacial Probity etc. For information visit www.the screeningbureau.com.etc. For information visit www.the screeningbureau.com.

[malvolio]

Basic security clearance took 6 weeks through them
And two years later it was a security check for a financial company where I was going to work, they didn't remember they already checked me I had to send the same stuff again and it took them again 4 weeks.

I was pissed off the second time and refused to give character references for the reason they checked me just 2 years earlier. They let me pass anyway.

BPSS is about three days now, SC 2-3 weeks on average - provided everyone gets all the information right first time and passes it on immediately. Most delays are caused by people these days, not the process.

And what far too many don't appreciate is that you can start once you have BPSS, even for SC roles...

[northernladuk]

Basic security clearance took 6 weeks through them
And two years later it was a security check for a financial company where I was going to work, they didn't remember they already checked me I had to send the same stuff again and it took them again 4 weeks.

I was pissed off the second time and refused to give character references for the reason they checked me just 2 years earlier. They let me pass anyway.

A lot can happen in two years. I am not surprised they wanted to go through the process again. Sounds reasonable to me.

[Eirikur]

Basic security clearance took 6 weeks through them
And two years later it was a security check for a financial company where I was going to work, they didn't remember they already checked me I had to send the same stuff again and it took them again 4 weeks.

I was pissed off the second time and refused to give character references for the reason they checked me just 2 years earlier. They let me pass anyway.

[eek]

Hi all,

I've been offered a gig but am required to go through an online security screening process.

Logged on this morning and my heart sank when I saw that it was run by Crapita...

Has anyone here had experience of using 'Security Watchdog' ?

If so, how long did it take to get a response and were there any issues...?

thanks

Yep, last clientco used them. Just gave them the information they wanted, rang them to check they had everything they needed and helped them to get the information they wanted quickly.

All in all it took them 4 hours to confirm the information and give the ok. Current clientco wasted 3 weeks doing the same.....

[MojoDog]

Hi all,

I've been offered a gig but am required to go through an online security screening process.

Logged on this morning and my heart sank when I saw that it was run by Crapita...

Has anyone here had experience of using 'Security Watchdog' ?

If so, how long did it take to get a response and were there any issues...?

thanks