SSBI

SSBI stands for Single Scope Background Investigation, a type of background check used by the United States federal government to determine an individual’s eligibility for access to classified information and for certain sensitive positions. The investigation is designed to assess trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States.

The scope and process of an SSBI are comprehensive. It collects information covering many years of a person’s life, including education and employment history, residences, and travel. Records checks are conducted across various repositories, and investigators interview the applicant as well as colleagues, supervisors, teachers, neighbors, and others who can corroborate or challenge the information provided. The process typically includes verification of financial history, criminal records, past conduct, and any foreign contacts or influences. Applicants generally complete the SF-86 questionnaire, which compiles the data used in the review. A polygraph examination has been used in the past for some SSBI cases, but it is not universally required in all circumstances today.

Administration and use of the SSBI involve federal agencies and security offices that oversee the process. Investigations are conducted by designated offices and reviewed by adjudicators who apply established security guidelines to determine whether the individual meets the criteria for access to sensitive information or positions.

Outcomes range from granting a clearance to denial or revocation, with ongoing monitoring and periodic reinvestigations for those who hold clearance. The SSBI has historically been a cornerstone of high-security clearances, though modern reforms have introduced updated background-investigation practices and continuous evaluation measures.