Summary

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of State's procedures for conducting security investigations of its foreign service and civilian personnel.

GAO found that State: (1) generally conducted its preemployment background investigations according to established requirements and procedures; (2) did not complete two-thirds of its investigations within 90 days, but averaged about 140 days; (3) did not reinvestigate about 75 percent of its long-term employees or have a tracking system to identify employees who needed routine investigations; (4) used its investigative resources primarily on suitability reviews to reduce the number of applicants for foreign service positions; and (5) had no plan to eliminate its large overall backlog of reinvestigations. GAO also found that: (1) 70 percent of State employees did not submit the required personal information as part of their security reinvestigations despite repeated requests; (2) State did not take any disciplinary actions against those delinquent employees; and (3) periodic reinvestigations could increase the likelihood of uncovering serious drug, alcohol, financial, or other problems that could make individuals susceptible to compromising national security.