1. in the Republic of Macedonia
Vetting Staff
in the Slovak Republic
National Convention
on the European Union
in the Republic of Macedonia
Skopje, August 2019

2. History
National Security Authority of the Slovak Republic as an independent national institution for protection of classified information was established in Its creation was triggered by foreign policy activities. The crucial factor was the effort of the Slovak Republic to integrate into the European Union and NATO.
National Security Authority took over the competences as a supervisory body for protection of classified information from the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic.
It launched its operations on 1 November 2001 as a central government body for protection of classified information and encryption protection of information. A month later its competences were extended to also include electronic signature.
Personnel Security

3. History
Legislation was being created in accordance with NATO and EU legislation despite the fact, that the Slovak Republic was not a member of these institutions yet.
However, the whole process of establishment of the institution was in accordance with their rules.
The Slovak Republic became a member-state of NATO and EU on 1 May 2004.
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4. Present Structure of the NSA
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5. Legislation
Act No. 215/2004 Coll. on Protection of Classified Information
Decree of the NSA No. 134/2016 Coll. on Personnel Security
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6. Selection of employees
Employees are chosen according to two principles:
Most of our employees are officers according to Act No. 73/1998 Coll. on State Service of Officers of Police Force, Slovak Intelligence Service, Prison Guard and NSA
They have to meet the following requirements:
Integrity, reliability, meet the requirement of respective education for a particular position, capability of state service regarding health, physical and psychical condition, mastery of state language, permanent residence in the territory of the SR, non-membership in a political party at the time of entry into state service, full legal capacity, as of day of entry into state service have terminated the activities which are forbidden for active officers (e. g. running own business)
They have to pass a special psychological examination
All of our employees (including officers) have to be granted a Top Secret Personnel Security Clearance, the levels of Personnel Security Clearance Certificates are various, depending on the position of the individual
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7. Personnel Security
Is a system of measures related to the selection, appointment and vetting of individuals authorised for having access to classified information of defined scope.
authorised person
individual
designated to have access to classified information
or whose authorization to have access to classified information stems from law
authorised persons having special status
other authorised persons
unauthorised person
not authorised to have access to classified information
or not authorised to have access to classified information beyond the designed scope (applying to that particular person)
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8. Levels of Clearances
I. Restricted – responsible is their Head (valid without time restriction)
II. Confidential – only records checks (valid for 10 years)
III. Secret – plus investigations at their permanent address (valid for 7 years)
IV. Top Secret – plus investigations of their security surrounding (valid for 5 years)
Person is always cleared for the whole period of their previous life.
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9. Elements of Security Clearance (both for civilians and officers)
Request + materials from the person to be vetted (security questionnaire + CV + consent with being vetted and having access to classified information)
Asking for Information
If a Slovak national is staying abroad for over 6 months, the partner NSA has to be requested for available information, as well.
after replies are delivered and evaluated
Security Interview
Polygraph (optionally – if requested by the person to be vetted or if deemed necessary for the NSA)
All the elements of the vetting procedure at NSA are stored in a classified file in the NSA‘s archive (within the responsibility of Information Analysis and Support Division).
Potential negative outcomes are not reported to the applicant, but evaluated to grant a PSCC or a decision.
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10. Cooperating Authorities
Police Force (records checks, internal affairs)
Special Departments of Police Force
Slovak Intelligence Service
Military Intelligence
Municipal Authorities (regional, district, city, municipality)
Optionally – Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the SR, Financial Authority of the SR, General Prosecutor‘s Office of the SR, Slovak National Bank and commercial banks, other NSAs, etc.
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11. Security Risks Co-operation with former State Security
Activity against the interests of the SR
Premeditated violation of legal regulations
Spies, terrorists, saboteurs
Member or supporters of organisation trying to remove democracy
Person in debts
Person addicted to drugs or alcohol
Person involved in any form of sexual conduct leading to blackmail
Person accepting unjustified payments, gifts or other benefits
Person owning property not corresponding with declared income
Person conducting dishonesty, untrustworthiness in respect of the protection of classified information
Person under pressure from relatives or close friends who are open to exploitation by foreign intelligence, terrorist groups, illegal organisations
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12. Clearance Procedures Person State body NSA PSCC
Fills in the documents and sends them to
Evaluates the documents and sends them to
in 15 days
Carries out the clearance and issues
If being of the same
opinion as the Director
of NSA, informs
Sends for its revision to
submits
Person
State body
NSA
PSCC
Decision (that the person
does not fulfil the conditions) If
Appeal to the Director of NSA
in 30 days
National Council of the SR
The Highest Court of the SR
No court or other legal entity can force NSA to issue a PSCC
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13. Authorised Persons Having Special Status
President of the Slovak Republic
Members of Parliament of the Slovak Republic
members of the Government of the Slovak Republic
judges of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic
the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Audit Authority of the Slovak Republic
judges
These persons do not require PSCC based on the national legislation, however, they can voluntarily apply for it. Despite not having a PSCC, these persons are briefed as a rule.
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14. Access to EU Classified Information
Valid PSCC for required level
Record about need-to-know and written consent with keeping secrecy
EU PSCC
Briefing
EU PSCC (based on national PSCC) is included in person‘s classified file, not in separate one.
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15. Comparison with EU legislation
The whole clearance procedure is compatible with Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information.
Within the limits of the above mentioned EU regulation the PSCs in accordance with national legislation of the Slovak Republic are not extended, but the individuals are vetted anew through a genuine vetting procedure.
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16. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
ATTENTION