Security clearance

[theellimist]

I have been wondering this for awhile, have any of you ever applied for some sort of government position where you needed to have a certain security clearance where they do a background check on you and such? Has your computer lifestyle ever affected that?

[lucid]

I would never apply for a government position. Your in the books forever after that. I imagine though that depending on your lifestyle, yes it could affect that.

[Axon]

I have been wondering this for awhile, have any of you ever applied for some sort of government position where you needed to have a certain security clearance where they do a background check on you and such? Has your computer lifestyle ever affected that?

Even if someone has a job with high security clearance, I don't think his/her life computer lifestyle will be affected by any means.

[iTpHo3NiX]

Even if someone has a job with high security clearance, I don't think his/her life computer lifestyle will be affected by any means.

Depends though... With the government, depending on the government, they could and most likely would monitor your activity, esp. for applying for a high security clearance.

[Z3R0]

1) (shortened) Have any of you applied for a job that requires a security clearance?
2) Has your computer lifestyle ever affected that?

1) Yes.
2) No. During the application process they did ask cyber-security related questions, but they mainly look into if you have ever abused substances/alcohol, what countries you have traveled to, and if you are a conscientious objector (i.e you knowingly oppose the government).

they could and most likely would monitor your activity

On a government network, and depending on the classification of that network (classified/unclassified), yes, but they can't monitor your activity from your home without first contacting a police/federal agency, and have probable cause that you have committed a crime.

EDIT: theellimist, feel free to PM if you have any more questions on this matter.

[theellimist]

Wow, some good answers here, thanks guys. I was just wondering about that because I really didn't know how they view this sort of stuff.

[I_Learning_I]

yes, but they can't monitor your activity from your home without first contacting a police/federal agency, and have probable cause that you have committed a crime.

CIA and NSA can.
As a matter of "national security" they can monitor certain addresses and computers.
They own the satellites, they are above any other agency in the country, so they pretty much can.

Of course they don't do that to every government position, but most people in NSA/CIA research or with high level (inside the respective agency) have their communications logged.

(I'm using USA example mainly because they own the satellites, not every country does, so in many countries this paranoid and "excessive" control won't exist)

[iTpHo3NiX]

CIA and NSA can.
As a matter of "national security" they can monitor certain addresses and computers.
They own the satellites, they are above any other agency in the country, so they pretty much can.

Of course they don't do that to every government position, but most people in NSA/CIA research or with high level (inside the respective agency) have their communications logged.

(I'm using USA example mainly because they own the satellites, not every country does, so in many countries this paranoid and "excessive" control won't exist)

Thats the government I was referring too

[Praxis]

One of the reasons I'd never work for the government is because they seem to love monitoring and nosing around in other people's personal lives. I imagine that if you were working for them, they'd definitely keep tabs on you, even more so than they already do.

I suppose it comes down to you personally though - would YOU want to keep vising the dark corners of the web if you've got a job working for government? I certainly wouldn't, at least not on my own connection.