Security clearance at the Pentagon and other defense agencies is currently under review due to the September shooting at the Naval Yard in Washington, D.C., the American Forces Press Services stated.
Stephen Lewis, deputy director for personnel, industrial and physical security policy in the office of undersecretary of defense for intelligence, addressed a Senate committee this week, emphasizing the need for stronger clearance policies that will impact Defense Department civilians, contract employees and active-duty servicemembers.
"Under the National Industrial Security Program, cleared contractors are required to report adverse information coming to their attention regarding their cleared employees," Lewis said.
He added that the DOD is in charge of vetting companies that work on classified contracts for the Defense Department and other federal agencies.
Lewis proposed a concept demonstration of an improved security system with "real-time updates" of pertinent information, the news source reported. The DOD will also evaluate 100,000 contractors, including both civilians and servicemembers.
According to the National Archives, the military's current security system, the National Industrial Security Program, is a partnership between the federal government and the private sector. It was established by an executive order meant to protect classified defense information.