News

May 20, 2025

Update: New authentication ongoing rollout issues

QUANTICO, Va. -- Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s (DCSA) continues to experience challenges with the new cybersecurity multi-factor authentication solution for the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) deployed on May 14. As a result, Agency Help Desk wait times continue to be a problem.    We understand that this

May 15, 2025

New authentication solution creates issues for users

QUANTICO, Va. – Earlier this week, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency introduced a new cybersecurity multi-factor authentication solution to strengthen the Agency’s security posture for the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS).The capability was rolled out hastily, with little notice to customers, and without enough

May 15, 2025

DCSA Leaders honored at ceremony react to Presidential Rank Awards, share perspectives

QUANTICO, Va. – The six Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) senior executives who won Presidential Rank Awards were officially recognized at a formal ceremony at DCSA headquarters on May 9. “It's an honor to be here today to celebrate you and really – to present you with the highest and most prestigious award for career senior

May 14, 2025

DCSA and MTU students partner to develop AI tool advancing national security mission

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) recently collaborated with a team of Michigan Technological University (MTU) students to develop an artificial intelligence-powered solution aimed at identifying potential indicators of foreign influence within publicly available corporate documents. The project, guided by Corey Sampson,

May 13, 2025

New multi-factor authentication process ensures continued security, integrity of NBIS and NBIS eApp system

Starting May 14, 2025, users of the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) and the NBIS electronic application (eApp) will experience a new, multi-factor authentication process. To align under the Department of Defense Zero Trust, the agency is transitioning to the DCSA Information Systems Agency Identity, Credential, and Access Management (D-ICAM) authentication system.

May 12, 2025

STEPP transitions to D-ICAM access to align under DOD Zero Trust

The Security Training, Education, and Professionalization Portal (STEPP) transition from MyAccess to the DCSA Information Systems Agency Identity, Credential, and Access Management (D-ICAM) system has been delayed to May 12, 2025. This change affects all STEPP smartcard users, username and password access will remain unchanged. Accessing STEPP

May 9, 2025

DCSA announces approval of the updated Form 328 (Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interests)

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency has announced the updated Standard Form (SF) 328, Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interests, approved on May 1, 2025, which includes several improvements to increase users’ clarity and understanding of the questions and subsequent requirements.  The updated form features better-scoped questions,

May 6, 2025

COE Reaffirmation of Accreditation – June 2025

The National Center for Credibility Assessment will be applying for reaffirmation of its accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) in June 2025. Persons wishing to make comments regarding this action should either write to the Executive Director of the Commission, Council on Occupational Education, 7840

May 5, 2025

Behavioral mental health treatment not an automatic disqualifier for security clearance

[Editor’s Note:  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health, which is an important part of a person’s overall health.] It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (59.3 million in 2022; 23.1% of the U.S. adult population), according to the National Institutes of Health. 

April 29, 2025

DCSA polygraph, a step closer to a more trusted workforce

The room was quiet, all that could be heard was the click of the mouse. I could feel my heartbeat through my arm from the pressure of the cuff that enveloped my arm. “Please sit still and face forward,” the polygrapher said to me. I try to steady my breathing and get focused. “The test will now begin,” said the polygrapher. I, along with over 30