SCHOOL THESIS

E.O. 12968 “establishes a uniform federal personnel security program [under the
Office of Personnel Management] for employees who will be considered for initial or
continued access to classified information” 13 and the first uniform adjudicative
guidelines. Section 1.2 discusses who may or may not be granted access to classified
information and stipulates the three requirements that must be fulfilled prior to an
employee being granted access (determined eligible, have a need-to-know, and having
signed Standard Form (SF) 312, Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement). 14
Section 1.3 discusses the required financial disclosure of an applicant. 15 Part 2 of the
order discusses determinations of eligibility including reciprocity between agencies, 16
and Part 3 discusses standards of eligibility including reinvestigation requirements. 17
Additionally, Section 6.2 discusses employee responsibilities, including “protect[ing]
classified information…from unauthorized disclosure [and] report[ing] contact
with…foreign nationals….” Finally, Section 6.4 advises of sanctions against those who
disclose classified information. 18
Executive Order 13381 directs agencies to be “uniform, centralized, efficient,
effective, timely and reciprocal.” Under this order, the director of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) is named responsible for effective implementation of
the policy. 19
Executive Order 13467 amends E.O. 12968, by inserting Section 3 (requiring
continuous evaluation for clearance holders (as directed in Section 3.b.(i)); Section 2
(stresses reciprocity of investigations and adjudications by all agencies); Section 2.2
(establishes the Performance Accountability Council and its responsibilities); and Section
2.3 (establishes the roles of suitability executive agent, under the Office of Personnel
13 Exec. Order No. 12968, 60 Fed. Reg. (Aug. 4, 1995), 40245–40254.
14 Ibid.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
17 Ibid.
18 Ibid.
19 Exec. Order No. 13381, 70 Fed. Reg. 37953 (Jun. 30, 2005), 37953–37955.
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