The majority of people have a distorted understanding of how intelligence and counterintelligence function. We frequently base our understanding of them on how they are portrayed in popular media.
The truth, however, is significantly more tiresome than one might imagine. Qualification is only one stage; real authorization is the next.
A few names are bandied about in this process, such as Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), however, they are essentially different facets.
Key Takeaways
- SSBI is a Single Scope Background Investigation, while SCI is Sensitive Compartmented Information.
- SSBI is a type of background check, whereas SCI refers to a level of classified information access.
- An individual must pass an SSBI to be eligible for SCI access, subject to additional requirements.
SSBI vs SCI
SSBI is a type of security clearance level. It is however a lower level clearance that grants access to classified information. SSBI is limited in access. SCI is a security clearance level. It is a higher level clearance that grants access to sensitive and highly classified information.
SSBI assesses whether an applicant will be granted a security clearance. This investigation is incredibly thorough.
Field interviews are normal routine and include relatives, colleagues, bosses, acquaintances, former instructors or professors from educational institutions attended by the subject, neighbors, and anybody else who may be judged to have essential information about the individual.
SCI is not an inquiry but rather classified material. It is not a categorization but rather just a kind or form of classified information predicated on crucial and sensitive information or procedures.
It is sometimes stated as “beyond Top Secret” information or data, albeit this is an exaggeration. It is subdivided into many “control systems.”
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | SSBI | SCI |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Single Scope Background Investigation | Sensitive Compartmented Information |
| Meaning | SSBI is a type of security clearance inquiry necessary for highly sensitive information. | SCI is a sort of classified intelligence whose dissemination is restricted owing to the serious and prospective security risks involved. |
| Reason of conduction | Undertaken to determine whether or not a person will be awarded a security clearance | Not carried out since it is classified intelligence with limited access. |
| Access | A manager or a member of the command-and-control staff | To be considered eligible for access, a person must pass an SSBI. |
| Details included | Employment, schooling, organization allegiances, any community agency where the participant has resided, worked, or traveled | Special intelligence, TK, HCS, and KDK |
What is SSBI?
Military defense assessments (as well as citizen security clearances) need a painstaking process of questioning, investigating, and thorough investigation. This procedure is required in order to get Restricted, Classified information, or Top-Secret clearance.
SCI requires Single Scope Background Investigations.
This investigation does not grant the candidate an extra security clearance; rather, it is implemented to enhance Top Secret clearances and offers access to SCI following the completion of the inquiry.
Hardly those who have a special urge to access it are entitled to be examined and approved.
Whenever this access is granted, the categorization may be referred to as Top Secret/SCI, however, there is no “fourth clearance” in this case–merely an extra designation allowing access to SCI.
Those who necessitate an SSBI are frequently told of the necessity by their superiors; this may be due to a job transfer or a dramatic shift of station relocation to a special project that necessitates access.
It might also be related to military promotions, changes in staffing or mission needs, or a variety of other factors.
Background checks are performed on the following details: job, education, group connections, and any local agency where the person has lived, worked, traveled, or attended school.
Past background inquiries on the participant may also be examined to verify the material acquired or revealed in the new SSBI.
Their investigation covers the following topics: minimal investigating scope, investigation extension, national agency verification, subject interrogation, birth certificate, residency, education, and employment confirmation.
What is SCI?
SCI is a subdivision of national intelligence that is classified. SCI is a sort of confidential information in the United States that is generated via critical intel agencies, procedures, or progressive development.
All SCI must always be administered through the Director of National Intelligence’s official access controls.
Although a few channels refer to SCI process control as special access programs (SAPs), the intelligence community regards SCI and SAPs as separate types of restricted access programs. SCI does not exist as a categorization.
Although SCI authorization is referred to as “above Top Secret,” data of any security level may reside within an SCI control system.
When “de-compartmented,” this material is handled exactly the same as collateral (Highly classified/Confidential/) information of the same level of classification.
An SSBI or PR determines eligibility for SCI access. Because the same inquiry is used to give Top Secret clearances, the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably as TS/SCI.
Eligibility does not allow access to any certain SCI content; it is only a qualification. Those with security clearances may be “read into” SCI as part of their duties.
A polygraph examination or other permitted investigating or adjudicatory procedure may be used in this process.
When it is judged that an individual ought to have access to an SCI compartment, people accept a nondisclosure agreement, are “read in” or indoctrinated, and will have permission to log in to a local access register or a computerized database.
Main Differences Between SSBI And SCI
- The full form of SSBI is a single-scope background investigation, while SCI stands for sensitive compartmented information.
- SSBI is a form of security approval investigation required for highly classified, SCI Q access, and TOP SECRET-level Limited Access Programs in the United States, whereas SCI is a form of confidential information in the United States regarding or inferred from delicate intelligence operatives, techniques, or analytical processes.
- SSBI is conducted to assess if a security clearance will be granted to someone, whereas SCI is not conducted since it is a sort of classified intelligence with limited access owing to the serious and probable security risks involved.
- In SSBI, a supervisor or command support staff can commence a background investigation or secret clearance process, whereas a person must clear an SSBI even to be deemed eligible for access to an SCI. Even so, there is no certainty that the person will be granted access to sensitive content.
- SSBI contains background investigations for employment, schooling, organization allegiances, any community agency where the participant has resided, worked, traveled, or gone to school, subject interview, birth certificate, citizenship, education, and employment corroboration, whereas SCI is divided into various “control systems” such as special intelligence, TK, HCS, and KDK, among many others.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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