Re:O.mg Cable
by abvdasker on Thursday September 02, 2021 @04:28PM
(#28396925)
There are probably some generalizable differences between software engineers who work for intelligence agencies vs private sector engineers. The most significant factor being that government engineers need to be able to get a security clearance and pass the attendant background checks and interviews. Most of the engineers I've worked with in the private sector probably couldn't pass these checks because of foreign nationality or recreational drug use. It's a virtual certainty that the need for a security clearance produces a strong selection effect. Not saying it makes the intelligence engineers better or worse just that I'm sure there are some significant differences.
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Re:O.mg Cable
by restingrobot on Thursday September 02, 2021 @06:42PM
(#28398294)
I just wanted to point out that obtaining a security clearance is not nearly as hard as you make it sound. For most organizations prior recreational drug use does not preclude you from the clearance.
I have a clearance and a somewhat checkered past.
A lot of what they look for is consistency in accounts of previous behaviors between you and any references / interviews they undertake, trying to assess if you're currently honest.
Another big thing they are trying to decide is if you are blackmailable.
(throwaway because I have the sort of clearance you are not supposed to advertise that you have)
Re:O.mg Cable
by thrownblown on Thursday September 02, 2021 @08:24PM
(#28399080)
John McAfee discussing getting his security clearance when he worked for Lockheed-Martin:
"They asked me very revealing questions.... Had I ever taken drugs? Yes. What kinds? Almost every kind. Uh, how much? A lot. Have you ever sold drugs? Yes. So I assumed I would never get the clearance but I did and it came in very quickly."
(clearly decades ago, and he's less than reliable, but fun nonetheless!)
Re:O.mg Cable
by ByteJockey on Thursday September 02, 2021 @11:44PM
(#28400188)
It's not so much a problem if you do drugs.
It's a problem if you do drugs and are hiding it from someone (say, family). Then you can be blackmailed.
Can confirm (source: I have a friend that works for a three-letter agency). Before I sit for a clearance interview, I asked him about it. I used to think I'd probably be disqualified, but I learned that was not the case at all. Much of what they're trying to determine is your exposure to potential blackmail.