We guide contractors through the entire process — from analysing the requirements, through documentation, to the proceedings before ABW or SKW.
A facility security clearance is the document confirming a contractor's capability to protect classified information at the "confidential" level or above.
It is mandatory for companies seeking to perform contracts involving access to classified information — above all in defence, security and state protection. Without it, a contractor cannot take part in a significant share of the tenders run by the Polish Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of the Interior, the Police, the special services or State Treasury companies operating in those sectors.
Industrial security proceedings are conducted by the Internal Security Agency (ABW) or, within its remit, the Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW). The review covers not only documentation but also the ownership structure, the contractor's financial standing, the preparation of post holders and the physical security measures actually in place at the premises.
The level determines the extent of the contractor's capability to protect classified information. The right level depends on what the contract or tender documentation requires.
| Level | Scope of capability |
|---|---|
| First | Full capability to protect classified information — covering every form of processing, including operating a registry office and processing information in IT systems. |
| Second | Capability to protect classified information, excluding the ability to process it in the contractor's own IT systems. |
| Third | Capability to protect classified information solely to the extent necessary to perform the contract, without processing it at the contractor's premises. |
Not sure which level you need? We will review the tender documentation or draft contract and tell you which level of clearance and which classification level are required — before you incur the cost of preparation.
We establish which level of clearance and which classification level apply in your case. We assess the current state of the organisation and identify the gaps that must be closed before the application is filed.
Appointing and preparing the security officer and other post holders, organising the security unit and training the management team.
A complete application with all annexes, the classified information protection plan, internal instructions and procedures and — where required — the security documentation for the IT system.
Designing protected zones, selecting physical security measures and preparing the premises — including the registry office, where the level of clearance requires one.
Preparing and handling vetting procedures for individuals who will have access to classified information, and applications for personnel security clearances.
Substantive representation during the proceedings, preparing the organisation for on-site inspection, and responding to requests for clarification and additional information.
Once the clearance is granted we help maintain the conditions on which it was issued — updating documentation, periodic training and notifying organisational changes.
Industrial security proceedings conducted by ABW or SKW usually take several months, and the duration depends on the level of clearance, how complete the documentation is and the current workload of the authorities. To that you must add the time needed to prepare the organisation before filing. A properly prepared application limits the number of requests for clarification and genuinely shortens the whole procedure.
No. A clearance is issued for a fixed term, the length of which depends on the classification level it covers. Once it expires, fresh proceedings are required. A clearance may also be withdrawn if the contractor ceases to meet the conditions on which it was granted.
It depends on the level of clearance and how the organisation will process classified information. A first-level clearance requires a registry office. At third level, where information is not processed at the contractor's premises, that requirement does not arise.
Yes. Many contractors prepare for clearance in advance so they can bid for tenders without the risk of running out of time. It is a sensible approach — the proceedings take long enough that starting only after a tender is announced usually means losing the chance to take part.
Entities with foreign capital may apply, but the ownership structure is examined closely and may extend the proceedings. For contractors from NATO and EU states, the recognition of a clearance issued in the home country is also relevant. We assess each case individually and advise on the most realistic route.
Refusals most often stem from gaps in documentation, insufficient security measures, or doubts about the ownership structure or financial standing. We help identify the causes, remedy the shortcomings and prepare the organisation for fresh proceedings.
The earlier we start, the better your chances of making the deadline. We will check the requirements and set out a realistic timeline.
Discuss your case