Adjudicative Guidelines (SEAD 4)

Schedule a Consultation

Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD 4), issued by the Director of National Intelligence as the government’s Security Executive Agent and effective June 8, 2017, establishes the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines. It sets a single, common set of adjudicative criteria for all covered individuals who require initial or continued eligibility for access to classified information or eligibility to hold a sensitive position—including access to Sensitive Compartmented Information.

The 13 Adjudicative Guidelines

• A. Allegiance to the United States
• B. Foreign Influence
• C. Foreign Preference
• D. Sexual Behavior
• E. Personal Conduct
• F. Financial Considerations
• G. Alcohol Consumption
• H. Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse
• I. Psychological Conditions
• J. Criminal Conduct
• K. Handling Protected Information
• L. Outside Activities
• M. Use of Information Technology

The Whole-Person Concept

Each guideline identifies conditions that could raise a security concern and conditions that could mitigate it. Adjudicators must weigh all available, reliable information about a person—past and present, favorable and unfavorable—in what is known as the “whole-person concept.” Factors include the nature and seriousness of the conduct, how recent and frequent it was, the individual’s age and maturity at the time, evidence of rehabilitation, and the likelihood of recurrence. A concern under one guideline is not automatically disqualifying.

Read the document: Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (PDF).

For help with a security clearance matter, see our Security Clearance & Polygraph page or contact Compass Rose Legal Group.

This resource is provided for general information and is not legal advice. Government policies change; confirm that you are relying on the current version of any document.