Author Archive

Marko Hakamaa

Marko Hakamaa served in various military police positions with the United States Army worldwide for 22 years before retiring in 2006 as a Master Sergeant. Afterwards, he transitioned into the civilian workforce as a contractor background investigator for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before entering civil service as a Security Specialist in 2009.

Security Clearance Process

Industrial Security Letters (ISLs) are issued by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency to inform cleared contractors, government contracting activities, and DoD components of developments relating to the National Industrial Security Program. The contents of these letters are for information and clarification of existing policy and requirements. DCSA published ISL 2021-02 on

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Security Clearance Denial

It is well known that Nigeria is a haven for financial scams, fraudulent internet activities and money laundering schemes. The use of 3rd party bank accounts is a way for criminals to disguise illicit activities and move money to legitimate businesses and accounts. A DoD contractor, born in Nigeria and is

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Obtaining Security Clearance

The Bond Amendment disqualifies anyone from being granted a security clearance if they were convicted of a crime that resulted in being incarcerated for one year or more. There is, however, a provision for a waiver if mitigating information is presented in accordance with national security adjudicative guidelines. A recent

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Background Investigations

Public trust positions are those which carry out duties that do not require access to classified national security information but do have other duties that could cause moderate or high risk damage to other individuals or the agency they are working for. A recent Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals

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