Reply to: Always check SC is transferred...

[malvolio]

Earlier in the year I was working for a large consultancy on an armed forces web portal which required sc clearance.

My sc also wasn't transferred from my previous MOD client. Didn't even do the basic BPSS or whatever.

Makes me wonder if it required sc clearance at all...

Probably not. Applications are not data. It's the data (and resultant intelligence/information) that's classified, and the BaU access rights to get at it, not how you create the code to manage it. It's that fundamental misunderstanding of what clearance is protecting that's at the heart of all these problems.

[SimonMac]

A contractor's SC last for just one year after they leave the client. Unless transferred within that year, or if the 5 year duration is reached earlier.
It's different for permies but I can't remember as I've never cared

SC clearance last as long as the role warrants it, if you leave the role you are no longer cleared, the 12 month transfer rule is not hard and fast, I know clients who have refused to transfer, as with everything to do with security clearance its as clear as mud as and if you get a security controller in a bad mood then they don't have to explain any decision they have made.

Maybe we should have a sticky which has all this information in it......

[Lance]

Thanks.

What I was asking whether the 2nd time around, you had let it lapse altogether, prior?
i.e. say you had it, let it lapse then reapplied?
Was this easier than applying "fresh"?

Ahh. Yes it had lapsed by about 3 years.
It was quicker second time but let's be clear, they have changed their systems a lot in advance of the 2012 Olympics so they can cope with greater volumes than previously. So I'm not sure whether it was quicker due to better processes or whether I'd had it before. But I reckon it's a combination.

Some people who applied at the same time took a LOT longer but a lot of them were foreign nationals.
The guy who didn't have a passport with the same name he used on his SC application was fired after 6 weeks of waiting.

[perplexed]

Agreed. Even though mine's run out I point out that I've had it twice with the second time being completed in under 2 weeks.
And mine running out is on the assumption that the client has told anyone I left. So if I went back to the same client and they'd not informed the vetting people then I'd still have it (I reckon anyway).

You would - that was the bizarre situation I was in. Contract with consultancy ended Oct 2014 - PMs failed to tell security I'd left. Irony was that if I'd been dishonest and not informed them whilst checking up my SC, then it would still be active.

[MrMarkyMark]

A contractor's SC last for just one year after they leave the client. Unless transferred within that year, or if the 5 year duration is reached earlier.
It's different for permies but I can't remember as I've never cared

Thanks.

What I was asking whether the 2nd time around, you had let it lapse altogether, prior?
i.e. say you had it, let it lapse then reapplied?
Was this easier than applying "fresh"?

[Lance]

Was this after the 1 year was up Lance?

I'm only asking because the Mrs had it, but that was over 2 years ago, now.

A contractor's SC last for just one year after they leave the client. Unless transferred within that year, or if the 5 year duration is reached earlier.
It's different for permies but I can't remember as I've never cared

[Big Blue Plymouth]

Earlier in the year I was working for a large consultancy on an armed forces web portal which required sc clearance.

My sc also wasn't transferred from my previous MOD client. Didn't even do the basic BPSS or whatever.

Makes me wonder if it required sc clearance at all...

[MrMarkyMark]

Agreed. Even though mine's run out I point out that I've had it twice with the second time being completed in under 2 weeks.
And mine running out is on the assumption that the client has told anyone I left. So if I went back to the same client and they'd not informed the vetting people then I'd still have it (I reckon anyway).

Was this after the 1 year was up Lance?

I'm only asking because the Mrs had it, but that was over 2 years ago, now.

[Lance]

The transfer method gives them the confidence you will get it, eventually, though.

Point being if you are to apply for a role without it, I'm sure they would be more likely to a) choose someone that has had it before. b) choose someone who had it recently (Less than 1 year).

Agreed. Even though mine's run out I point out that I've had it twice with the second time being completed in under 2 weeks.
And mine running out is on the assumption that the client has told anyone I left. So if I went back to the same client and they'd not informed the vetting people then I'd still have it (I reckon anyway).

[MrMarkyMark]

Given that it can take longer to transfer than a fresh application the client will always have to wait unless your SC is already with that client.

I've had SC twice and both times the client waited whilst I got it. I just didn't have admin access to any systems till it did arrive, but as I was designing and documenting initially it was fine.

The transfer method gives them the confidence you will get it, eventually, though.

Point being if you are to apply for a role without it, I'm sure they would be more likely to a) choose someone that has had it before. b) choose someone who had it recently (Less than 1 year).

[Lance]

I have never seen any contract role that will "wait" until someone gets clearance.
Obviously against the rules, but this has been the case ever since I first started contracting (15 years or so).

Given that it can take longer to transfer than a fresh application the client will always have to wait unless your SC is already with that client.

I've had SC twice and both times the client waited whilst I got it. I just didn't have admin access to any systems till it did arrive, but as I was designing and documenting initially it was fine.

[perplexed]

Doesn't matter why, mistake or not. You are not cleared any more.

Now go and persuade your new client that they can use non-cleared people on cleared roles providing that adequate oversight and supervision can be provided and that both parties accept the gig may end abruptly if clearance isn't subsequently forthcoming.

And in future keep track of your status yourself.

Indeed. Whole point of the thread was so that hopefully others won't be as lax and make the same mistakes as I did.

[malvolio]

DBS NSV.

List X companies involved.

Informed by security when given access pass that SC had been transferred. Company hadn't put a request in. Have accepted via email they made a mistake.

When I say people play hard and fast, lack of SC shouldn't be a barrier to applying for roles. Potential end client in public sector only want people with active, transferrable clearance. It happens.

I'm not absolving myself, I take blame not not being as on the ball as I should have. Hoping people don't make the same mistakes - I was naive to believe what the security at the company were saying.

Doesn't matter why, mistake or not. You are not cleared any more.

Now go and persuade your new client that they can use non-cleared people on cleared roles providing that adequate oversight and supervision can be provided and that both parties accept the gig may end abruptly if clearance isn't subsequently forthcoming.

And in future keep track of your status yourself.

[MrMarkyMark]

DBS NSV.

List X companies involved.

Informed by security when given access pass that SC had been transferred. Company hadn't put a request in. Have accepted via email they made a mistake.

When I say people play hard and fast, lack of SC shouldn't be a barrier to applying for roles. Potential end client in public sector only want people with active, transferrable clearance. It happens.

I'm not absolving myself, I take blame not not being as on the ball as I should have. Hoping people don't make the same mistakes - I was naive to believe what the security at the company were saying.

I have never seen any contract role that will "wait" until someone gets clearance.
Obviously against the rules, but this has been the case ever since I first started contracting (15 years or so).

[perplexed]

I very much doubt that when it comes to SC.

Who is the vetting agency?? SC can only be transferred between List X companies. I didn't think any agencies are required or even allowed to mess about with SC? Do you mean DBS National Security Vetting?

DBS NSV.

List X companies involved.

Informed by security when given access pass that SC had been transferred. Company hadn't put a request in. Have accepted via email they made a mistake.

When I say people play hard and fast, lack of SC shouldn't be a barrier to applying for roles. Potential end client in public sector only want people with active, transferrable clearance. It happens.

I'm not absolving myself, I take blame not not being as on the ball as I should have. Hoping people don't make the same mistakes - I was naive to believe what the security at the company were saying.