Term:Exception

DSS Glossary

Exception - Adjudicative decision granting or continuing access eligibility despite a failure to meet adjudicative or investigative standards. Only the head of the agency concerned or designee make such decisions. An exception precludes reciprocity without review of the case by the gaining organization or program. There are three types: Condition: Access eligibility granted or continued with the proviso that one or more additional measures will be required. Such measures include additional security monitoring, restrictions on access and restrictions on an individual's handling of classified information. Submission of periodic financial statements, admonishment regarding use of drugs or excessive use of alcohol, and satisfactory progress in a Government- approved counseling program is examples of conditions. Deviation: Access eligibility granted or continued despite either a significant gap in coverage or scope of investigation or an out-of-date investigation. "Significant gap" means either a complete lack of coverage for a period of 6 months or more within the most recent 5 years investigated or the lack of a Federal Bureau of Investigation name or technical fingerprint check or the lack of one or more relevant investigative scope components (for example, employment checks or a subject interview for an Single Scope Background Investigation, financial review for any investigation) in its entirety. Waiver: Access eligibility granted or continued despite the presence of substantial issue information that would normally preclude access. Agency heads or their designees approve waivers only when the benefit of access clearly outweighs any security concern raised by the shortcoming. A waiver may require special limitations on access, additional security monitoring, and other restrictions on the person's handling of classified information beyond the normal need-to-know.