SEAD-3 Background
On December 14, 2016, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) signed Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD)-3, Reporting Requirements for Personnel with Access to Classified Information or Who Hold Sensitive Position, which establishes standardized reporting requirements across the federal government for all individuals who have access to classified information or hold a sensitive position.
The reporting requirements outlined in SEAD-3 address the need for individuals to report relevant information, such as reportable foreign travel, foreign contacts, and conduct/behavior, to their department or agency in a timely manner, in order to strengthen the safeguarding of national security equities.
The reporting requirements are a direct result of recent national security breaches by trusted insiders who have disclosed classified information to news media or foreign entities causing significant harm to the interests of the United States.
Who Does the SEAD-3 Reporting Requirement Apply to?
This requirement applies to all persons at NIH that are in Sensitive Positions (see below chart) and/or who have an active National Security Clearance at NIH (i.e. Secret, Top Secret, SCI, etc.). Per the SEAD-3 Directive: “Covered individuals are not limited to government employees and include all persons, not excluded under paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this definition, who have access to classified information or who hold sensitive positions, including, but not limited to, contractors, subcontractors, licensees, certificate holders, grantees, experts, consultants, and government employees.”
If you are in a sensitive position at NIH or hold an active Security Clearance, this means YOU have a special and continuing security obligation and responsibility for recognizing, avoiding, and reporting personal behaviors of a potential security, counterintelligence, and/or insider threat concern, and must alert appropriate authorities should you become personally involved with or aware of certain activities that may be of potential security, counterintelligence, and/or insider threat concern!
How do I know if I am in a sensitive position at the NIH?
Please contact your Administrative Officer or program office if you do not know what your position designation is at NIH. For Federal Employees, this designation will be reflected on your Official Position Description (OF-8) and Position Designation Record (PDR). The NIH Division of Personnel Security and Access Control (DPSAC) administers annual SEAD-3 Reporting Requirements training to all individuals in sensitive positions at NIH. If you received this training, you are in a sensitive position. Please note: Position designation is not to be confused with Emergency Tier Designation.
| Positive Sensitivity Designation | Position Risk Designation | Type of Investigation | Form Type | Required to Report Under SEAD-3? |
|---|
| Special Sensitive | High Risk | Tier5+SCI | SF 86 | YES |
| Critical Sensitive | High Risk | Tier5 | SF 86 | YES |
| Non-Critical Sensitive | Moderate Risk | Tier3 | SF 86 | YES |
|
| Non-Sensitive Public Trust | High Risk | Tier4 | SF 85P | NO |
| Moderate Risk | Tier2 | SF 85P | NO |
| Non-Sensitive | Low Risk | Tier1 | SF 85
| NO |
SEAD-3 Reporting Requirements
- All persons at NIH in sensitive positions or who have a Security Clearance at NIH must complete SEAD-3 reporting Requirements Training on an annual basis. This training consists of reading the SEAD-3 Awareness briefing materials and the instructions on when/how to report. Please be sure to also read up on the FAQ.
- If you have reportable information, use the HHS forms shared below to report.
How to Report?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of National Security (ONS) has provided the following reporting mechanisms for individuals to use when reporting required information:
Resources
There are several resources that provide more information on SEAD-3, please see below:
