The Vetting System

Why is the vetting system necessary and what does it aim to achieve?
The UK needs a security system to protect against threats from hostile intelligence services, terrorists and other pressure groups. Vetting decides who can be given access to sensitive Government information or property.

Who is affected?
The system applies to people in the following categories whose employment involves access to sensitive Government assets: Crown Servants; members of the Security and Intelligence Agencies; members of the Armed Forces; the Police; employees of certain other Non-Government organisations that are obliged to comply with the Government's security procedures; employees of contractors providing goods and services to the Government.

How does the vetting system work?
All candidates for jobs that provide access to sensitive information or sites are asked to complete one or more security questionnaires, which invite them to provide the personal details needed to enable the necessary checks to be carried out. Interviews may also be carried out. The depth of checks varies according to the level of regular access to sensitive information that the job entails.