Wondering how to get Security Check (SC) Clearance for your next IT Job? You’ve come to the right place. As an IT recruitment agency, we regularly work with businesses that require their IT professionals to have SC Clearance due to the nature of their work and the businesses they work with.
But obtaining it can be a time consuming and somewhat invasive process, with intimate details of your life going under the microscope. After all, the UK government doesn’t just hand out high-level security clearances to anyone and everyone.
But before we go any further, let’s first look into what SC Security Clearance actually is, and why you might need it for your new IT Job.
What is SC Clearance?
Security Check (SC) Clearance is the most commonly held, high-level security clearance that is provided by the UK government. It is required by the UK government for working with secret government materials or classified information, and lasts 10 years before it requires renewal.
Earning SC Clearance can be necessary if:
- You are applying to join, or have successfully joined, a new company which requires SC Clearance.
- Your current company has won contracts to work with the UK government.
- Or finally, if your current SC Clearance has run out.
SC clearance is necessary for jobs where you will have frequent access to secret assets, or even only occasional contact with confidential information. Meaning it can be required for an IT Professional who is working on maintaining systems that hold this sensitive information, to earn SC Clearance: Even if your job has nothing to do with this sensitive government information.
What IT Jobs Need SC Clearance?
SC Clearance can be a necessity for any job where you will be working with sensitive government information, and can be hugely varied. Engineering, Accounting, Admin, HR, or IT Specialists, like we recruit for here at Dynamic.
For IT Professionals, this can be any IT position within a government agency or body itself, or it could be with an IT business that has contracts with the UK government.
For example, some Managed Service Providers we work with here at Dynamic have contracts with the UK government: Making it essential for their employees (or any IT professionals looking to join their business) to obtain SC Clearance.
Just some of the roles that we have recruited for that have required SC clearance include:
- SOC Analyst.
- Security Operations Engineer.
- Network Engineer.
- Support Engineer.
- Presales Consultant.
- Network/ Infrastructure/ Platform Architect.
Any IT job that has you interacting with potentially sensitive information can require you to obtain SC Clearance. Some of the businesses we work with will only consider hiring IT Professionals who are eligible to earn SC Clearance: While they don’t expect you to have it, it is important to these businesses that you can earn it.
How to Get Your SC Clearance
Obtaining your SC Clearance requires passing several checks that look into your personal and professional background including: Employment record, criminal history, and financials.
Additionally, you can not apply for SC Clearance as an individual: It requires a sponsor. It is the responsibility of the company that you are joining for, or currently work for, to sponsor you for earning your SC Clearance.
Getting your SC Clearance involves a rigorous and somewhat invasive process of examination. However, you will be supported by your sponsor with the process, so it’s not as daunting as it may first seem.
While you will have to pull together a lot of information, the business you are joining or are already a part of will be experienced in supporting employees to gather all the information they need.
The vetting and clearance process is regulated by the United Kingdom Security Vetting unit, or the UKSV. You can see their guidelines for being approved for SC Clearance here.
What are the Requirements for Earning SC Clearance
Earning your SC Clearance requires passing many checks and requirements. Firstly, you must obtain the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), which acts as the baseline and starting point of earning any security clearance. When obtaining your BPSS, the UKSV will look at:
- An identity check.
- Nationality and immigration (right to work) status.
- Employment history.
- And your criminal record.
Obtaining your BPSS should only take between one and two weeks. Once you have earned it, you can start working towards earning your SC clearance. The SC Clearance checks:
- That you are a UK national, or have been a resident of the UK for at least 5 years.
- You’re being sponsored by an organisation that has List X Facility Security Clearance (FSC) accreditation.
- A Company Records Check.
- A Criminal Record Check.
- A Security Questionnaire.
- A Credit Check.
- And a Security Service Record Check.
So now you know what you and your sponsor will need to provide, let’s look at the actual process that you’ll go through.
The SC Clearance Process
Earning your SC Clearance can be an arduous and intrusive process, as the government will look deep into your professional and personal history, as well as speaking to family, friends, and colleagues: Which can be a bit unnerving.
To help ease any fears, let’s have a look at the actual process you will go through to gain your SC clearance.
Step 1 – Completing the SC Clearance Form
The SC Clearance Form can be acquired from the UKSV (United Kingdom Security Vetting), by your sponsor (employer/ future employer). Once they have passed it on to you, you will need to fill it in with your personal details, employment history, information on family and partners, and any other information that it asks for.
Step 2 – Initial Screening Process
The initial screening will take place to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for earning SC Clearance: Where your background will be checked to ensure you don’t have a criminal history or employment history that prevents you from earning SC Clearance.
Step 3 – Financial Checks
After passing the initial screening, your finances and financial history will go under the microscope. Typically, a credit reference agency will scrutinise your financial records: Including credit reports, outstanding debts, and financial history.
Step 4 – Vetting Process and Reference Checks
You will also undergo a more stringent security check where your family, friends, former colleagues or even past teachers will be interviewed. They will also interview some of the people you put down as references, to ensure the information you provided is accurate.
Step 5 – Vetting Interview (If You Have One)
In some rare instances, you may be asked to complete an interview to clarify some areas of your SC clearance application. During the interview, you will likely be asked for clarification on a specific part of your background. Although questions can also pertain to topics such as: Political views, foreign travel, hobbies, wider family background, and even hobbies.
Step 6 – Decision
After all these different checks have taken place, a UKSV case officer will make a decision and you will receive your final judgement. The entire process can take about 6 weeks from start to finish, so don’t expect to receive a response instantly, and it can take days or even weeks.
Tips for Earning Your SC Clearance
While earning your SC Clearance can be an invasive process, it can also be hugely beneficial to your career. If you’re prepared for it, it can be a smooth process: But if you’re not, then the process can be dragged on for longer and with more stages than you’d like.
And if you have a new job relying on you earning your SC Clearance, then any delays can be costly. Which is why we’ve put together these quick tips to ensure a smooth process for earning your SC Clearance.
- Take time to understand the eligibility requirements. There’s no point going through weeks of the SC Clearance vetting process if you know you weren’t eligible in the first place. So make sure you understand what the different security checks (like the criminal check and financial checks) are, and if you will fail them.
- Ensure all information you provide is accurate. To ensure a smooth process, it’s important to make sure all the information you provide is correct. As any mistakes can result in things being delayed or your application even being rejected.
- Prepare for your interview (If you have one). An interview isn’t a typical part of earning your SC Clearance, but it’s also not unheard of. During the interview, you will likely be asked for clarification on a specific part of your background: So make sure you’ve gone over all the information you gave during the process to make sure you know it all.
Frequently Asked SC Clearance Questions
How Long Does SC Clearance Take to Obtain?
The average process length can vary, but will typically take around 6 weeks. Although given the in-depth nature of the checks and vetting process, don’t worry if it takes a bit longer. Due to the sensitive nature of the information this security clearance gives you access to, they will be thorough in their vetting procedure.
How Much Does SC Security Clearance Cost in the UK?
Earning SC Clearance is free, and any costs will typically be eaten by the business sponsoring you for obtaining the clearance.
This is no guarantee though, as some businesses may choose not to pay for it. For example, if you’re a contractor, then the business you’re contracting with may pass the SC Security Clearance cost on to you. But as one of the more junior security clearances you can obtain, it is als one of the cheapest, and costs around £50, excluding VAT.
Can You Fail SC Clearance?
Yes, you can fail to obtain your SC Clearance. And understanding the different reasons can help you to earn your SC Clearance or help you avoid wasting time if you’re not eligible:
- If you have an existing criminal record.
- Any issues around your citizenship status.
- Any financial difficulties that may impact your work, such as large debts.
- If your application is missing any crucial information, or has inaccurate information.
How long does SC Clearance Last?
Your SC Clearance will last for 10 years, and can be renewed after. Although it may be revoked at any time within this 10 year period, should you no longer meet the requirements for clearance or if your circumstances change dramatically.