Who has the final authority over granting or denying security clearances in DISS?

The final authority over granting or denying security clearances in DISS rests with a designated governmental authority. This authority is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the security clearance process comply with federal regulations and policies designed to protect national security. The designated governmental authority typically includes agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which oversee the security clearance process and ensure that all necessary background checks and assessments are thoroughly conducted.

This framework is essential because it ensures a standardized approach to security clearance determinations across different government entities, maintaining a consistent level of security and safeguarding sensitive information. Other parties, such as individual employers, regional security officers, or contracting agencies, may have roles in initiating requests or managing security-related processes; however, they do not have the ultimate decision-making power in granting or denying clearances.