Software QA/Testing/Tester FAQs: Security Clearance? Rejection?

Software QA/Testing

Glossary and Technical FAQs

Q: Can the government reject my application?

A: Surely they can! We don't know how the government decides, but my educated guess is, if you're not the stereotype all-American good guy the government investigators have in mind, then, chances are, your application for clearance will be rejected.

They can reject you for hundreds of reasons, including sabotage, espionage, treason, terrorism, sedition; for wanting to overthrow the government; for friendship or sympathy with anyone who attempts to commit these crimes; act of force or violence; lack of American citizenship, non-citizen spouses, family members, relatives, cohabitants, or friends; failing to report associations with foreigners; association with suspected foreign spies; financial or business interests in a foreign country; dual citizenship, foreign passport, accepting educational, medical, retirement or welfare benefits from a foreign country, residence in a foreign country, seeking or holding political office in a foreign country, voting in a foreign election, serving the interests of a foreign government, military service in a foreign country; compulsive or addictive behavior, self-destructive or high-risk behavior, personality disorder, any sexual behavior that makes you vulnerable, lack of discretion or judgment; uncooperative attitude, incomplete forms or releases, lack of full, frank and truthful answers, opinions of neighbors, associates, employers, or coworkers; omission, concealment, or falsification of facts; providing false or misleading information, concealment of information, any activity that makes you susceptible to blackmail, dishonesty, violation of rules or written agreements, association with criminals; too much money, too little money, not paying your debts, fraud, embezzlement, theft, income tax evasion, deceptive loan statements, breach of trust, addiction to gambling, drugs, or alcohol; driving while under the influence, fighting, child or spouse abuse, reporting for work drunk, drinking on the job, diagnosis of alcohol dependence, habitual consumption of alcohol, impaired judgment; drug use, possession, cultivation, processing, manufacture, purchase, sale, or distribution, diagnosis of drug abuse or drug dependence, unsuccessful drug treatment program; defect in judgment, reliability, or stability, failure to take prescribed medication; high-risk, irresponsible, aggressive, anti-social or emotionally unstable behavior; allegations of criminal conduct; disclosure of classified information, negligence; job a foreign country, service to a foreign national, foreign intelligence agent or organization; computer crimes, including unauthorized entry, modification, destruction, manipulation, denial of access to information, removal or introduction of hardware, software or media, and illegal downloading of files.

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