Do I need a security clearance for federal IT work in Canada?

Federal tenders with security requirements include a security requirements checklist that sets the levels needed. Read it before you decide to bid.

The levels

• Organization: Designated Organization Screening for access to protected information, or a Facility Security Clearance for classified information. Some contracts also require approval to store information at your premises or on your systems.
• Personnel: reliability status is the baseline; secret and top secret involve deeper checks and take longer.

Your firm appoints a company security officer to manage screening and security obligations.

Timing is the real hurdle

• Some tenders require clearances at bid closing, others by contract award. Check which.
• Screening can take weeks to months depending on the level and the program's workload, so start as soon as you're sponsored.
• If you can't be cleared in time, team with or subcontract to a cleared partner and build toward your own clearance.

Provinces and cities

Provincial and municipal IT tenders rarely require federal clearances, though many ask for criminal record checks and confidentiality agreements for staff with system access. Police and justice agencies are stricter.

See security screening for IT suppliers to the Government of Canada for how sponsorship works.