Security clearance [nulla osta di sicurezza (NOS)] authorizes a natural or legal person to deal with classified information.

The Ufficio centrale per la segretezza (UCSe) [Central Secrecy Office] is in charge of issuing, and if necessary revoking, NOS security clearance based on a vetting procedure aimed at verifiying the person’s loyalty to the Republic’s institutions and to the Constitution and its values, as well as to the rigorous observance of secrecy.

The UCSe keeps and updates the list of all parties issued with a NOS.

NOS security clearance may be issued to employees of both public administrations or bodies and business enterprises (and their legal representatives) who intend to operate in sectors involving the processing of classified information or the adoption of special security measures.

When a public administration or body intends to entrust one of its employees with processing classified information, the same public administration or body will be responsible to transmit the security clearance application.

The persons subject to vetting must be informed about the vetting process and can refuse to undergo it, thereby renouncing the NOS and the performance of the functions for which it is required. Applicants must give their written consent to vetting.