The State of Trusted Workforce 2.0

On March 20, INSA hosted an online panel discussion focused on Personnel Security Reform: The State of the Trusted Workforce 2.0. Moderated by Federal News Network’s Executive Editor, Jason Miller, the speakers included Matt Eanes, PAC PMO, OPM; Heather Green, Deputy Assistant Director of Vetting Risk Operations, DCSA, Mary Rose McCaffrey, VP of Security, Northrop Grumman; and Jeffrey Smith, PEO, DCSA

View the session recording

The program kicked off with a discussion about reductions in clearance backlogs since adopting the Trusted Workforce 2.0, recrafting standing policies to alleviate current wait times, and continuous vetting as a replacement for the standard 5 and 10-year reinvestigations. Panelists examined the primary differences between e-QIP and the updated eApp, as well as the goal for both federal and industry to be onboarded to the updated initiation process by the end of the FY.

The discussion then focused on eApp’s user-friendly nature will provide quick fixes to streamline the investigation process, preventing errors from proceeding. With the older e-QIP, users would proceed through the entire form only to find out later that it would have to be redone if an error was made. The new eApp informs users where mistakes are and how to amend them in order to alleviate the process to make it as seamless as possible. The conversation moved to the continuous vetting process, which now requires users to input any updates that occur in their personal lives that may impact their clearance. This will be necessary to replace the 5 and 10-year reinvestigation process. 

The panel wrapped up the discussion by noting the importance of private industry as a driving force in the implementation of Trusted Workforce 2.0. Ultimately, progress in this realm is being made