Tag Archives: E-QIP System

The Phantom Memo: DNI-OPM Approved Interim Procedures During e-QIP System Suspension

July 7, 2015 By in Federal Agencies, Govt Documents, Security, Security Clearance, Staffing the FS, State Department, Technology and Work Tags: , , , , , , ,

Posted: 5:50 pm  PDT
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The blog post title is not original but cribbed from @empiricalerror:

Click on the image below (Thanks C!) to read the memo signed by DNI’s James R. Clapper and OPM Katherine Archuleta (pdf).

One govie told us “there is no process for TS which is all I hire!”  Note that the memo says there are “no interim procedures authorized at this time for access to Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or “Q” level information.”

There’s a sigh for you, too.

DNI-OPM e-QIP Memo

Click image to read the memo in pdf format (memo originally posted at govexec)

And when the e-QIP is restored, the wait will continue some more while the process runs its course. Will new hires even get to work  by late fall?

One bureau reportedly sent out a note saying, “we are requesting that all tentative job offer notices be temporarily postponed until further guidance is published.”  Apparently, “HR and DS are working together to iron out the details of an interim paper-based SF-86 process.”

Meanwhile, fedscoop reports that OPM wants to hire four IT senior project managers that will cost up to $675,000 to oversee a systems modernization.

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#OPMBreach: Back to Paper SF-86s, No More Social Media at OPM, Scary Movie Chinese Edition

July 3, 2015 By in Congress, Federal Agencies, Huh? News, Security, Security Clearance, Senators, Social Media, Spectacular, State Department, Technology and Work, Trends Tags: , , , , , ,

Posted: 2:15 pm EDT
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OPM Announces Temporary Suspension of the E-QIP System For Background Investigation

June 30, 2015 By in Career Employees, Federal Agencies, Foreign Service, Huh? News, Obama, Security, Spectacular, State Department, Technology and Work, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted: 12:19 am EDT
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On June 29, OPM announced the temporary suspension of the online system used to submit background investigation forms.  The system could be offline from 4-6 weeks.  Below via opm.gov:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management today announced the temporary suspension of the E-QIP system, a web-based platform used to complete and submit background investigation forms.

Director Katherine Archuleta recently ordered a comprehensive review of the security of OPM’s IT systems. During this ongoing review, OPM and its interagency partners identified a vulnerability in the e-QIP system. As a result, OPM has temporarily taken the E-QIP system offline for security enhancements. The actions OPM has taken are not the direct result of malicious activity on this network, and there is no evidence that the vulnerability in question has been exploited. Rather, OPM is taking this step proactively, as a result of its comprehensive security assessment, to ensure the ongoing security of its network.

OPM expects e-QIP could be offline for four to six weeks while these security enhancements are implemented. OPM recognizes and regrets the impact on both users and agencies and is committed to resuming this service as soon as it is safe to do so.  In the interim, OPM remains committed to working with its interagency partners on alternative approaches to address agencies’ requirements.

“The security of OPM’s networks remains my top priority as we continue the work outlined in my IT Strategic Plan, including the continuing implementation of modern security controls,” said OPM Director Archuleta. “This proactive, temporary suspension of the e-QIP system will ensure our network is as secure as possible for the sensitive data with which OPM is entrusted.”

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Meanwhile, on June 22, AFSA sent a letter to OPM Director Katherine Archuleta with the following requests:

Screen Shot 2015-06-29

via afsa.org (click for larger view)

 

On June 25, AFSA is one of the 27 federal-postal employee coalition groups who urge President Obama to “immediately appoint a task force of leading agency, defense/intelligence, and private-sector IT experts, with a short deadline, to assist in the ongoing investigation, apply more forceful measures to protect federal personnel IT systems, and assure adequate notice to the federal workforce and the American public.”  (read letter here: AFSA Letter sent in conjunction with the Federal-Postal Coalition |June 25, 2015 | pdf)

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