What is the primary purpose of Personnel Security (PERSEC)?

The primary purpose of Personnel Security (PERSEC) is to safeguard national security by verifying that individuals who have access to classified information are trustworthy and reliable. This process involves conducting background investigations, assessing individuals' character and judgment, and determining their eligibility for access to sensitive information. By ensuring that only qualified personnel are granted access to classified materials, PERSEC plays a critical role in preventing potential threats to national security, such as espionage or insider threats.

While training programs for security personnel, creating and enforcing security policies, and managing staffing levels are important components of a comprehensive security framework, they do not directly address the core function of determining the trustworthiness of individuals with access to sensitive information. These aspects may support personnel security efforts, but they do not encapsulate the primary goal of ensuring that access to classified information is restricted to those deemed reliable and trustworthy.