Security Clearance Continuous Evaluation & Continuous Vetting Program

The days of waiting 5–15 years for a periodic reinvestigation are over. Today, security clearance holders across the Department of Defense and much of the federal government are enrolled in an ongoing screening system known as the Continuous Evaluation (CE) or Continuous Vetting (CV) program. This system constantly checks for new information that might affect your eligibility to hold a clearance or occupy a national security position.

For clearance holders, this means that an arrest on Saturday, a bankruptcy filing, foreign travel, or suspicious financial activity can trigger a clearance review within days – not years.

If You Receive a Continuous Evaluation Incident Report (CEIR), Contact Korody Law Immediately

When the Continuous Evaluation / Continuous Vetting system flags potentially derogatory information, it generates a Continuous Evaluation Incident Report (CEIR) that is sent to your command, security office, or adjudicating agency. How you respond to that report – and what gets written down about you – can determine whether you keep your clearance.

• A slow or incomplete response can be treated as lack of candor or non-cooperation.
• A poorly worded response can create new, permanent derogatory records.
• A failure to mitigate the issues raised can quickly escalate to a Statement of Reasons (SOR) or suspension.

Do not respond to a CEIR on your own. The security clearance lawyers at Korody Law help clients draft responses that mitigate concerns and protect their careers.

What Is Continuous Evaluation / Continuous Vetting?

The federal government implemented Continuous Evaluation (CE) under Security Executive Agent Directive 6 (SEAD-6) to move away from slow, periodic reinvestigations and toward ongoing, automated checks for new risk information. Today, the program is generally referred to as Continuous Vetting (CV) and is a core part of the Trusted Workforce 2.0 reform effort.

Once you submit an SF-86 or e-QIP for a clearance or sensitive position, your information is used not only for the initial investigation, but also to enroll you in continuous vetting for as long as you hold eligibility.

Under CE/CV, government systems regularly review multiple data sources for new issues that may raise concerns under the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines, including:

• Criminal history and arrest records
• Court and public records (lawsuits, judgments, liens)
• Credit reports and suspicious financial activity
• Foreign travel and certain foreign contacts
• Government personnel and disciplinary records
• Other reportable issues under SEAD-3 (reporting requirements)

When the system detects potentially derogatory information, it generates an alert – often in the form of a CEIR – that is reviewed by security officials and, in more serious cases, by adjudicators at agencies such as DCSA (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency).

From Periodic Reinvestigations to Continuous Vetting

Under the old model, clearance holders were reinvestigated every 5, 10, or 15 years, depending on the level of clearance. Today, the government has largely transitioned to continuous vetting for the national security workforce, with formal reinvestigations used more selectively.

Key changes for clearance holders include:

• No “quiet years” between investigations. Issues can surface and be reviewed at any time.
• Faster detection of problems, but also faster escalation if concerns are not properly addressed.
• Greater emphasis on self-reporting and consistent mitigation of issues such as finances, foreign contacts, and criminal conduct.

Continuous vetting is here to stay. Clearance holders must treat every new problem – an arrest, lawsuit, financial hardship, foreign influence issue, or misuse of IT systems – as something that may be reported and evaluated quickly.

What Triggers a CEIR or Clearance Review?

A wide range of events can trigger a CEIR, a suitability inquiry, or a security clearance review. Common triggers include:

• Arrests or criminal charges (DUI, domestic incidents, theft, drug offenses)
• Financial problems – bankruptcy, charge-offs, collections, large unexplained debts
• Foreign travel or foreign ties that are not reported or that raise influence concerns
• Improper handling of classified or sensitive information
• Substance abuse or illegal drug use
• Unreported changes in employment, marital status, or cohabitation that may affect risk

These issues are evaluated under the Adjudicative Guidelines (Guideline B – Foreign Influence, Guideline F – Financial Considerations, Guideline G – Alcohol Consumption, Guideline H – Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse, etc.). A CEIR is often the first formal step in that process.

Why Your Response to a CEIR Is So Important

Many clearance holders make critical mistakes when they receive a CEIR, interrogatory letter, or subsequent Statement of Reasons (SOR) or Letter of Intent (LOI):

• They write a quick, emotional response without understanding the guidelines.
• They admit to more than is necessary or use language that sounds evasive.
• They fail to provide the right documentation to show mitigation.
• They answer inconsistently with prior forms or interviews.

Everything you say – and everything you submit – becomes part of your permanent security file. Poorly handled responses can turn a manageable issue into a long-term problem.

At Korody Law, we:

• Review the CEIR, SOR, LOI, or interrogatories in detail
• Explain what the government is really concerned about
• Help you gather documentation to show mitigation and rehabilitation
• Draft clear, consistent responses tailored to the Adjudicative Guidelines
• Represent you at hearings before DOHA or other adjudicating authorities when necessary

Continuous Evaluation, Trusted Workforce 2.0 & Your Career

Continuous Evaluation / Continuous Vetting is a core part of the government-wide Trusted Workforce 2.0 personnel vetting reform. The goal is to identify risk earlier and manage it before it becomes a larger national security problem.

For clearance holders, this means:

• There is no “off the radar” period – your record is continuously checked.
• Seemingly small issues can be combined to show a pattern of risk.
• Good mitigation now can prevent bigger problems later.

Having a legal team that understands how TW 2.0, SEAD-4 (Adjudicative Guidelines), SEAD-3 (reporting requirements), and SEAD-6 (continuous evaluation) interact can make the difference between keeping your clearance and losing your career.

Why Choose Korody Law for CE / CEIR Issues?

The security clearance attorneys at Korody Law, P.A. have decades of combined experience with classified information, national security law, and clearance adjudications. Our team includes former Navy and Marine Corps JAGs with deep experience in:

• Security clearance appeals before DOHA and other agencies
• Responding to SORs, LOIs, and interrogatories
• Mitigating Guideline B, F, G, H, J, and other concerns
• Advising active-duty military, federal employees, and contractors worldwide

We regularly help clients who have:

• Received a CEIR
• Been notified of a clearance suspension or proposed revocation
• Received a Statement of Reasons (SOR) or Letter of Intent (LOI)
• Been asked to respond to detailed interrogatories about finances, foreign contacts, or conduct

Related Security Clearance & Clearance Defense Resources

• Jacksonville Security Clearance Lawyer
• Security Clearance Continuous Evaluation Program
• Security Clearance Disclosure Defense
• Security Clearance Revocation Defense
• Security Clearance Fraud & Misconduct Investigations
• Defense Against Government Background Investigations
• Security Clearance Reinstatement Attorney
• Military Security Clearance Overview
• Security Clearance Foreign Influence Defense

What To Do If You Receive a CEIR or Clearance Notice

1. Do not ignore it. Deadlines matter, and silence can be treated as non-cooperation.
2. Do not respond in a rush. Quick, emotional responses often create new problems.
3. Gather documents. Court records, financial statements, treatment records, and other evidence may be critical.
4. Contact an experienced security clearance attorney. You need someone who speaks the same language as adjudicators and understands the guidelines.

Korody Law, P.A. is ready to guide you through the Continuous Evaluation / Continuous Vetting process and help you protect your clearance, your job, and your reputation.

Call or text (904) 383-7261 or use our online form to schedule a Security Clearance Case Evaluation.