A new federal watchdog report warns that unreliable clearance data across agencies is undermining oversight of a national security process long labeled high-risk.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
More than 60% of the federal government’s personnel security clearance data cannot be considered reliable, according to a newly released U.S. Government Accountability Office report that is urging significant changes to how intelligence officials collect and oversee clearance information.
gao-26-107100 by yourNEWS Media
The report found that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence lacks complete and accurate data from dozens of federal agencies, limiting its ability to evaluate how efficiently and effectively security clearances are processed for employees who require access to classified information.
GAO determined that across eight required reporting elements and seven agencies, a majority of the data reviewed failed basic reliability standards. The watchdog said these weaknesses prevent ODNI from identifying systemic delays, measuring performance, or providing Congress with a clear picture of clearance backlogs.
The federal personnel security clearance system has been designated a high-risk government function since 2018 due to persistent processing delays and long-standing information technology problems. GAO said reliable data is essential for managing both security risks and workforce readiness, noting that ODNI is responsible for overseeing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the process.
One of the most serious problems identified involved how agencies reported clearance “timeliness.” GAO found that 86% of the timeliness data contained errors, with roughly one-third deviating by 20% or more. These inaccuracies stemmed from agencies using inconsistent calculation methods that did not follow ODNI guidance, affecting nearly all clearance decisions made government-wide.
According to the report, flawed timeliness data likely understated how long clearances actually took between 2020 and 2024, skewing public and congressional understanding of processing delays. While agency officials told GAO they updated calculation methods beginning in fiscal year 2025, the watchdog warned that years of prior data remain unreliable.
GAO also concluded that ODNI reviews agency-submitted data without adhering to established principles of data reliability and has not issued sufficient guidance to help agencies assess the accuracy of their own reporting. As a result, lawmakers and executive branch leaders lack dependable information about a process considered critical to national security.
To address these deficiencies, GAO issued several recommendations, including establishing a formal process to evaluate data reliability, providing clear instructions for agency reporting, defining accountability for senior data officials, and updating personnel vetting frameworks to reflect evidence-based oversight practices.
ODNI did not explicitly agree or disagree with the recommendations but raised concerns that GAO addressed within the report.
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