SAPPC - Personnel Security questions and
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
personnel security program
- correct answer seeks to ensure that only loyal, trustworthy, and reliable people are granted access to
classified information or assigned to sensitive duties.
documents that mandate the personnel security program.
- correct answer • DoD Instruction 5200.02 (March 2014) establishes the policy, assigns responsibilities,
and prescribes procedures for the DoD Personnel Security Program.
• DoD Regulation 5200.2-R which has had three updates since 1987 covers policy for the major elements
of the personnel security program. Use of this regulation is mandatory for all DoD components. It
implements the personnel security program within the Department of Defense.
• Executive Order 12968 was the most recent executive order that required several regulatory changes
to the DoD 5200.2-R. It standardizes the personnel security program for the executive branch. As a
security professional you will become familiar with this document.
Personnel Security: Designation
- correct answer Each position in the Federal service is evaluated for a position designation. The
designation is based on how the responsibilities and assignments of the position could impact the
national security.
Positions designated as sensitive involve job duties that can have a great impact on national security, as
the individual assigned to the position could bring about, by virtue of the nature of the position, a
material adverse effect on the national security.
Positions with job duties which have no potential for material adverse effect on national security are
designated as non-sensitive. If a position is designated as having sensitive duties, the remaining four
elements will apply.
Investigation
- correct answer Once an individual has been selected for a sensitive position and/or requires access to
classified information (military, civilian, or contractor) a personnel security investigation (PSI) is
conducted. The PSI report contains background information about the person.
, Adjudication
- correct answer This is an evaluation of the information contained in reports of personnel security
investigations (PSIs) and other source documents.
A judgment concerning security clearance eligibility is made by evaluating the reported information
against the national security adjudication adjudicative guidelines. Final clearance eligibility
determinations decisions are made by the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF)
Reinvestigation
- correct answer Individuals are reinvestigated at certain intervals based on their duties or access.
Reinvestigation may also be initiated when unfavorable information arises that raises a concern under
the national security adjudicative guidelines. Reinvestigation is considered part of the Continuous
Evaluation Program
Continuous Evaluation
- correct answer Once security clearance eligibility has been granted, the Continuous Evaluation
Program (CEP) monitors employees for new information or changes since the last investigation or
reinvestigation that could affect their eligibility status
Sensitive Duties: Access
- correct answer Access Sensitive duties are designated based on their impact on national security.
Sensitive duties often involve access to classified information.
Access is described as the ability and opportunity to gain knowledge of classified information. This can
involve seeing, hearing, or touching classified information, material, or equipment. Access is always
controlled by the holder of the information. The holder of the classified information must determine
that the person seeking access has the proper security clearance eligibility and a valid need to know the
information in order to carry out official duties.
A security clearance is a favorable determination of eligibility for access to classified information prior to
access being granted. Component and local command procedures will provide guidance on how to verify
clearance eligibility and need-to-know.
Sensitive Duties: Requirements
- correct answer First, if an individual is a U.S. citizen, he or she may be granted a security clearance.
Next, non-U.S. citizens may be granted a Limited Access Authorization, also known as an LAA.
These two authorizations may be granted to civilian, military, and contractor personnel; however, their
requirements for access will vary.
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
personnel security program
- correct answer seeks to ensure that only loyal, trustworthy, and reliable people are granted access to
classified information or assigned to sensitive duties.
documents that mandate the personnel security program.
- correct answer • DoD Instruction 5200.02 (March 2014) establishes the policy, assigns responsibilities,
and prescribes procedures for the DoD Personnel Security Program.
• DoD Regulation 5200.2-R which has had three updates since 1987 covers policy for the major elements
of the personnel security program. Use of this regulation is mandatory for all DoD components. It
implements the personnel security program within the Department of Defense.
• Executive Order 12968 was the most recent executive order that required several regulatory changes
to the DoD 5200.2-R. It standardizes the personnel security program for the executive branch. As a
security professional you will become familiar with this document.
Personnel Security: Designation
- correct answer Each position in the Federal service is evaluated for a position designation. The
designation is based on how the responsibilities and assignments of the position could impact the
national security.
Positions designated as sensitive involve job duties that can have a great impact on national security, as
the individual assigned to the position could bring about, by virtue of the nature of the position, a
material adverse effect on the national security.
Positions with job duties which have no potential for material adverse effect on national security are
designated as non-sensitive. If a position is designated as having sensitive duties, the remaining four
elements will apply.
Investigation
- correct answer Once an individual has been selected for a sensitive position and/or requires access to
classified information (military, civilian, or contractor) a personnel security investigation (PSI) is
conducted. The PSI report contains background information about the person.
, Adjudication
- correct answer This is an evaluation of the information contained in reports of personnel security
investigations (PSIs) and other source documents.
A judgment concerning security clearance eligibility is made by evaluating the reported information
against the national security adjudication adjudicative guidelines. Final clearance eligibility
determinations decisions are made by the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF)
Reinvestigation
- correct answer Individuals are reinvestigated at certain intervals based on their duties or access.
Reinvestigation may also be initiated when unfavorable information arises that raises a concern under
the national security adjudicative guidelines. Reinvestigation is considered part of the Continuous
Evaluation Program
Continuous Evaluation
- correct answer Once security clearance eligibility has been granted, the Continuous Evaluation
Program (CEP) monitors employees for new information or changes since the last investigation or
reinvestigation that could affect their eligibility status
Sensitive Duties: Access
- correct answer Access Sensitive duties are designated based on their impact on national security.
Sensitive duties often involve access to classified information.
Access is described as the ability and opportunity to gain knowledge of classified information. This can
involve seeing, hearing, or touching classified information, material, or equipment. Access is always
controlled by the holder of the information. The holder of the classified information must determine
that the person seeking access has the proper security clearance eligibility and a valid need to know the
information in order to carry out official duties.
A security clearance is a favorable determination of eligibility for access to classified information prior to
access being granted. Component and local command procedures will provide guidance on how to verify
clearance eligibility and need-to-know.
Sensitive Duties: Requirements
- correct answer First, if an individual is a U.S. citizen, he or she may be granted a security clearance.
Next, non-U.S. citizens may be granted a Limited Access Authorization, also known as an LAA.
These two authorizations may be granted to civilian, military, and contractor personnel; however, their
requirements for access will vary.
