How Government Security Clearances Are Granted

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Thursday, September 19, 2013 - 10:06 a.m.



(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)


After the shooting spree at Washington's Navy Yard, President Barack Obama ordered a review of security clearance policies across the government. Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel reiterated the president's directive for a broad review. Hagel said in hindsight there were red flags in the background of Aaron Alexis, the man who killed 12 people at the Navy Yard. Critics say the tragedy might have been prevented if more stringent security clearance procedures had been in place. Others argue the procedures are sound, but not always followed as closely as they should be. Diane and her guests discuss new concerns about background checks and security clearances.

Guests

Michael Greenberger
founder and director at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security and professor at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law.

John Fitzpatrick
director, the Information Security Oversight Office at the National Archives Records Administration; from 2006-2011 he was the intelligence community's leader in the Bush and Obama administrations' efforts to transform security clearance processes across the U.S. government.

Carol Leonnig
national staff writer, The Washington Post.

Sheldon Cohen
security clearance attorney.


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