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Our secrets are safe with you

The Developed Vetting Process. Sometimes called DV.

It’s something we do together.

Everyone in the UK intelligence services goes through it.

It’s thorough and it takes some time.

Our job is to understand whether Britain’s secrets will be safe with you.

To do this, we need to build an open and honest relationship with you.

And really get to know you as a whole person.

We understand that everyone is different. Nobody’s story is the same.

It’s our different perspectives and lived experiences that make us a stronger team. But a big part of keeping you and our organisation safe, is identifying and managing any risks that could make our secrets vulnerable.

When it comes to your vetting interview, we’re professional, discreet and compassionate.
Because you deserve nothing less.

We’re looking to understand you and your story in your own words. Everything that makes you who you are today.

We’ll want to hear about your early years. To where you are now.

Your hobbies, your mental health and your relationships.

We’ll want to know where you have been on holiday. Whether you’ve used drugs or drink alcohol.

We’ll ask you about your friends, your family, your finances, and everything in between.

We understand that some of these topics may feel intrusive. And they may well make you feel uncomfortable.

We’re trained to have these conversations, and we’ll work hard to create a safe space for you to tell us what we need to know.

It isn’t like a standard job interview.

There are no right or wrong answers.

All you need to do is be honest and be yourself.

You can ask us any questions and learn more about the responsibilities that come with having a DV clearance. To make sure it’s the right fit for you.

We take data protection seriously. You can be confident that we will keep your vetting information safe and secure, and access will be restricted to only those who need to know.

If your clearance is granted, this will be the beginning of a constructive relationship with vetting.

We’ll keep working with you to manage your clearance.

To protect your secrets and ours. From whatever the future may bring.


MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.