As the Pentagon assumed control over security clearances and federal background checks earlier this week, it was seen mostly as a rebuke for the Office of Personnel Management, and their data losses.
Pentagon officials, however, are now talking up major changes they intend to make, which includes classifying large aspects of the process, particularly surrounding acquisition of information.
The argument among officials is that other countries are competitors, and even letting them know how the US is handling its substantial background checks and clearances would put the process at risk.
The long-term goal is to not only keep more data secret, but to even mask the process by which the programs came into creation and how they work. This arguably will make it harder for hackers to circumvent security measures, but will also greatly reduce transparency within the US government.
“reduce transparency in government”…is there any left ?
I wonder the same, Dave. Is there any transparency left in this govt. Actually, the Pentagon has no authority to take away security clearances from the Intelligence agencies .. The Pentagon can only use security clearances within the Military itself; civilian security clearances are the responsibility of the Intelligence agencies, not the Pentagon.
The Pentagon didn’t take away the authority. The President of the United States did, in Executive Order 13869. And they weren’t the responsibility of the intelligence agencies before that, they were the responsibility of the Office of Personnel Management.