IG: DHS needs to clarify security clearances

The Department of Homeland Security needs help in dealing with security clearances for employees, according to DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner.

Approximately 70,000 out of the 208,000 DHS employees need security clearances, and the department is ill-equipped to deal with this demand, according to the IG.

With so many personnel, including IT and cybersecurity specialists needing clearances, and with the demand for better secure systems growing, DHS must take steps to increase its capacity and speed up the process.

The IG said DHS must consolidate its personnel security program, standardize policies and create better relationships among federal agencies.

With so many different agencies that have been incorporated under the DHS umbrella, it is essential to create a seamless method for getting a security clearance in a reasonable time period. Right now, that procedure does not exist.

For more on DHS security clearances:
- check out this Federal Computer Week article