Security Clearance Revocation
An individual that has received security clearance through the Department of Defense (DoD) can have their security clearance revoked for various reasons. Security clearance revocation can result from an individual's recurring pattern of questionable judgment, irrational behavior, or irresponsibility. When concerns such as these arise, the DoD will evaluate the individual to determine if the individual poses a threat to national security. While an isolated incident may not warrant security clearance revocation, mounting evidence of an individual's behavior that is contrary to the interests of national security may indeed warrant security clearance revocation.
An adjudicator with the DoD will review the individual and the circumstances in question to determine if security clearance revocation is necessary. The adjudicator can decide to simply warn the individual that similar future behavior may result in security clearance revocation. However, if the individual is deemed to be an unacceptable security risk based on their behavior, security clearance revocation may be in order. A security clearance revocation will affect the individual's ability to perform job related functions as the individual will no longer have access to sensitive information relevant to their job duties.
Individuals that have been subject to security clearance revocation are advised to contact an attorney for assistance. An experienced attorney can help the individual appeal the security clearance revocation and provide evidence that the individual is not in fact a threat to national security. An attorney well-versed in security clearance guidelines can be of great value to individuals facing security clearance revocation.