Welcome to the DVA's new pages on the modweb.
The DVA is the largest government organisation carrying out national security checks on people, and action around 140,000 checks and clearances each year. This process is called "vetting".
Our aim is to carry out security checks on people in the armed services, the MOD civil service, and defence contractors. We also undertake work on a repayment basis for customers in the public and private sectors.
We check that these people are suitable to hold security clearances in order to allow them access to government installations, valuable assets, and sensitive information.
Since we launched as a new organsation in 1997, we have been involved in an ambitious modernisation programme. Firstly, changing from four separate units, based in central London, Portsmouth, Woolwich and Corsham, to our single organisation in York. We also manage a force of Vetting Officers working from home throughout the UK. Secondly, during this time we have introduced new vetting processes, new Information Technology, a new organisational structure, and recruited a largely new office workforce. Today the DVA is providing the government lead to develop and implement the concept of e-vetting. This should result in a more customer focussed and responsive service. In the past most routine security clearances took weeks and months to complete, we now aim to provide most straightforward clearances within days and weeks.
