The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) said on Dec. 18 that it plans to put in place new capabilities to modernize its security clearance investigations operation later this month and continuing into next year.
DISA’s National Background Investigations Services (NBIS) program office released a set of capabilities in October, and will prepare to release a second set at the end of December.
“We’ll be releasing new capabilities approximately every three months,” said Heidi Cotter, NBIS program manager.
NBIS eventually will be used throughout the Federal government to conduct suitability, security, and credentialing background investigations. The program is part of DISA’s efforts to support “Trusted Workforce 2.0,” a government-wide security clearance modernization initiative. Electronic Application, or eApp, was a part of the agency’s initial release in October. This tool is used by security personnel and individuals undergoing a background investigation to request and submit background investigations.
The second release will allow existing background investigation systems to communicate with one another and to eApp. This tool also will help security professionals establish the level of sensitivity of an application’s position and determine the appropriate investigation level.
DISA is going to test the system with nearly 1,000 individuals serving as early adopters and undergoing security investigation within the Department of Defense (DoD).
“We look forward to delivering a comprehensive capability that will modernize the entire background investigation system that can support not only the DoD, but also all other federal agencies,” Cotter added.
