Facility Security Clearance (FSC) Policy and Guidance for UK Defence Suppliers and MOD Contracting Authorities - Version 1.4 - Guidance

Oct 3, 2026

Facility Security Clearance (FSC) Policy and Guidance explains how UK Defence Suppliers and MOD Contracting Authorities manage protective security for classified assets held on suppliers’ own premises. It defines FSC purpose, sponsorship requirements, and how clearances are facility specific. It also sets expectations for accreditation and assurance, including assessment of physical, personnel, and cyber security controls. A version history and related documents link the policy to GovS 007: Security and relevant legislation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Part 1 FSC Policy

1 FSC Requirement

2 FSC Sponsorship

3 FSC Accreditation and Assurance

4 Obtaining Confirmation of an Extant FSC

5 FSC Linkage to Industry Personnel Security Assurance (IPSA)

6 The Importance of Protecting Classified Assets

7 Financial Costs and Principles of Free Trade

8 FSC Eligibility Criteria

9 Key Supplier Contacts/Roles

Part 2 FSC Process

10 Preliminary Discussions

11 Provisional FSC and Release of the ITT

12 Precontract Award FSC Accreditation Phase

13 Actions Required following Contract Award

Part 2 Standards

14 HMG Oversight and Security Assurance

15 Foreign Ownership Control or Influence of an FSC Supplier

16 Notification of Changes in Ownership and Control or Closure of a Supplier

17 Responsibilities of the FSC Supplier's Management

18 Company Security Instructions

19 Security Advice and Education for Suppliers

20 Advertisements Questionnaires and Media Enquiries

21 Remote Working Guidance for FSC Suppliers

22 Controlling Visits to FSC Premises

23 Visitors with Statutory Right of Entry

24 Visitors from Overseas

25 Overseas Visits by FSC Supplier Employees

26 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty-Guidelines for Challenge Inspections

27 UN Chemical Weapons Convention-Guidelines for Challenge Inspections

Facility Security Clearance (FSC) Policy and Guidance for UK Defence Suppliers and MOD Contracting Authorities Version History | Document Version | Date
Published | Summary Of Changes | | --- | --- | --- | | 1.0 | Jan 2023 | | | 1.1 | Sept 2023 | WARP Contact Details Updated | | 1.2 | Nov 2023 | Updated to reference the National Security Act which replaces the Official Secrets Acts 1911-1939 | | 1.3 | Jan 2024 | Clarification of wording regarding Remote/Home Working | | 1.4 | Mar 2024 | Clarification of wording at Para 19.4 and replacement of the term “Contractor” with“Supplier” throughout the guidance. | Related Documents GovS 007: Security National Security and Investment Act 2021 Terminology shall: denotes a requirement: a mandatory element. should: denotes a recommendation: an advisory element. may: denotes approval. might: denotes a possibility. can: denotes both capability and possibility. is/are: denotes a description. Contents Part 1 FSC Policy 1 FSC Requirement ....................................................................................................... 4 2 FSC Sponsorship........................................................................................................ 4 3 FSC Accreditation and Assurance .............................................................................. 5 4 Obtaining Confirmation of an Extant FSC ................................................................... 5 5 FSC Linkage to Industry Personnel Security Assurance (IPSA) .................................. 6 6 The Importance of Protecting Classified Assets .......................................................... 6 7 Financial Costs and Principles of Free Trade ............................................................. 7 8 FSC Eligibility Criteria ................................................................................................ 7 9 Key Supplier Contacts/Roles...................................................................................... 7 Part 2 FSC Process 10 Preliminary Discussions ........................................................................................... 10 11 Provisional FSC and Release of the ITT................................................................... 11 12 Precontract Award FSC Accreditation Phase............................................................ 11 13 Actions Required following Contract Award .............................................................. 13 Part 2 Standards 14 HMG Oversight and Security Assurance .................................................................. 14 15 Foreign Ownership Control or Influence of an FSC Supplier..................................... 14 16 Notification of Changes in Ownership and Control or Closure of a Supplier.............. 15 17 Responsibilities of the FSC Supplier's Management................................................. 16 18 Company Security Instructions ................................................................................. 18 19 Security Advice and Education for Suppliers ............................................................ 18 20 Advertisements Questionnaires and Media Enquiries............................................... 19 21 Remote Working Guidance for FSC Suppliers.......................................................... 20 22 Controlling Visits to FSC Premises ........................................................................... 20 23 Visitors with Statutory Right of Entry......................................................................... 23 24 Visitors from Overseas ............................................................................................. 24 25 Overseas Visits by FSC Supplier Employees ........................................................... 24 26 Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty-Guidelines for Challenge Inspections ......... 25 27 UN Chemi

FAQs

What does a Facility Security Clearance (FSC) ensure for suppliers?

An FSC ensures the Supplier can meet and maintain required protective security controls to safeguard classified assets. It gives the Contracting Authority assurance that those assets are appropriately protected.

Who can sponsor an FSC requirement?

Suppliers cannot request FSC themselves. The clearance requirement must be sponsored by the Contracting Authority, which can be a UK department or agency, an existing FSC-holding supplier subcontracting classified work, an overseas government under a bilateral security arrangement, or an international organisation such as NATO.

What security areas are covered by accreditation and assurance?

Accreditation and assurance include assessment of physical, personnel, and cyber security controls for the Supplier, including any third-party subcontractors.

Oct 3, 2026

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