Personnel Vetting Terminology Decrypted

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) complete 95% of all background investigations by the government. They also own the system (DISS) used to process the completion of background investigations, adjudications, and the myriad of other personnel security actions involved in vetting processes. As such, DCSA uses a lot of terminology specific to personnel vetting that may sound confusing to the average military, civilian or contractor security clearance applicant. Here are some terms used by DCSA and what they mean.

What is Continuous Vetting?

Continuous Vetting (CV) is a process that involves regularly reviewing a cleared individual’s background to ensure they continue to meet security clearance requirements and should continue to hold positions of trust. CV includes automated record checks pulling data from criminal, terrorism, financial databases, and public records through the course of an individual’s period of eligibility.

What is Rap Back?

Rap Back stands for Record of Arrest and Prosecution BACK. This is a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) service that allows authorized government agencies to receive notification of activity on individuals who hold security clearances or positions of trust, thus eliminating the need for repeated background checks on a person from the same applicant agency. An FBI Rap Back check includes a list of public federal misdemeanor and felony convictions. The check may include basic information about the charge, conviction, and resulting incarcerations and provides the entire Criminal History Record for the individual. There is no time limitation.

What is Trusted Workforce 2.0?

Trusted Workforce 2.0 (TW) is the most far-reaching reform of the federal government’s personnel vetting system ever in existence. TW 2.0 reimagines what it means to establish and maintain the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), which completes 95% of all background investigations.

What is a PVQ Update?

The Personnel Vetting Questionnaire (PVQ), in line with TW.20, replaces the SF-85, SF85P, and SF-86 forms and based on the position sensitivity and risk level (national security or public trust), has the applicant fill out the appropriate information for review. This is done in 5-year increments regardless of clearance or trust level. a relationship of trust with an individual throughout their affiliation with the Government and establishes a single vetting system for the U.S. Government.