Ever wanted to know what Security Clearance is all about? Well today I'd like to welcome my guest Diane Griffin. She is going to tell us all we need to know about the Security Clearance Process. Please give her a warm welcome.....Thank you so much for stopping in Diane. Please start off by telling us a bit about yourself.
My name is Diane Griffin, President / CEO of Security First & Associates, LLC. I am that friendly expert that WILL give you the inside scoop of what is relevant to your specific needs for obtaining and maintaining a security clearance today. And, no, this book won’t self destruct nor will I have to kill you for giving you the answers.
I began my career in the industry more than two decades ago working for various government contractors. While working for these companies, I was responsible for satisfying the requirements of security functions involving human resources, data management, and hardware and software security.
Then in 2002, I satisfied my entrepreneurial spirit by creating Security First & Associates, LLC consulting individuals and companies with all levels of security. As you can imagine, after 9/11 and with our country in the midst of two wars, the demands and dynamics of security clearances have changed drastically.
So whether you are a security professional, a student of criminal justice, someone interested in pursuing a government career, or a company pursuing government contracts that require a security clearance, you will have many questions regarding the process. And this book has many answers - even to those questions that you are afraid to ask.
Book: Everything You Need to Know about the Security Clearance Process
Here’s what you will learn from this book:
• insight into the process for obtaining and maintaining Security and Facility clearances
• awareness of the risks that you face for delays or possible rejection and what to do about them
• straight forward answers to the standard and not so standard questions people often ask about the security and facility clearance process
• clear definitions to the confusing industry terms, abbreviations and acronyms
In January, NSI Inc., stated that many users of social-networking websites inadvertently put themselves at risk by sharing too much information. Below are a few areas that could cause risk.
• Address and birth date. Disclosing your home address or your place or date of birth could make you a target of an identity thief. Your home address even could attract a burglar or stalker to your home. If you’re throwing a party and need to provide directions, do so through email.
• Year of graduation from high school or college. These can help scammers pretend to be former classmates, a common way to win victims’ trust. Also, potential employers could use your graduation date to estimate your age, then reject you if they consider you too old.
• Business contacts. Professional networking websites typically let people on your contact list see the names and IDs of everyone else on your list. An unscrupulous competitor, dissatisfied customer, or former employee could send a damaging message about you to everyone on the list.
• Mother’s maiden name. Businesses often use your mother’s maiden name to confirm your identity, so it’s prudent to keep that name as confidential as possible. (Keep in mind that pet names are another common security question.)
• Travel plans and schedules of groups you belong to. If you mention the dates of an upcoming vacation on a social-networking website, or that you’ve joined a Wednesday-night book group, you might unwittingly have told a burglar when your home will be vacant.
• Your valuables. Don’t discuss your expensive art, antiques, or jewelry. It could make you a target for a burglar.
• The name of your doctor or dentist. If a scammer learns where you receive medical treatment, he might attempt to obtain your insurance information. This could be sold to someone who lacks health insurance, who would then pose as you to obtain treatment.
This best advice I can give you, especially if you have a security clearance, is that “If you don’t want your parents to know about it”, then don’t share it on ANY social media sites.
Diane offers a variety of services from her website, where you can also purchase her informational book. Please visit her at http://securityfirstassociates.com/ for more information. Diane is also on virtual book tour so please be sure to leave her a comment or any questions you may have.
Thank you so much for taking time to stop in and chat with us Diane. It has been a pleasure and I wish you much success.
