It is Cabinet Office policy that a CTC or Level 1B clearance must be formally reviewed after 10 years (5 years for non-List X contractors). The risk owner has the discretion to review a clearance at any time up to that point. They may adopt a policy of issuing shorter clearances to a particular category of employee (for example armed forces reservists; sub-contractors) as mitigation for a lower level of day-to-day personnel security oversight and/or carry out an early review in individual cases where a specific risk has been identified.

Who needs it and what it provides access to

Individuals who are to be employed in posts which:

• Involve proximity to public figures assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack
• Give access to information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists
• Involve unescorted access to certain military, civil, industrial or commercial establishments assessed to be at particular risk from terrorist attack.

What checks are involved

• Successful completion of the Baseline Personnel Security Standard
• Completion, by the individual, of a Security Questionnaire
• Departmental/company records check which might include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
• Check of both spent and unspent criminal records
• A check of Security Service (MI5) records
• If there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed.