Nordic vetting delays test industry readiness

The sharp rise in defence spending is placing mounting pressure on security vetting systems, leaving many companies facing delays and uncertainty.

In both Denmark and Norway, vetting processes can take extended periods, causing frustration and, in some cases, the loss of contracts. Companies also report limited visibility over the status of applications.

- Many of our members tell us they do not know when, or if, their vetting will be approved. They are simply not informed about the process. It is a major issue for companies, says Joachim Finkielman, director of DI Defence and Security.

Bottleneck

In Denmark, responsibility lies with the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET).

- Our experience is that there is a significant bottleneck at PET, and companies face major challenges in getting staff security-cleared, Finkielman says.

In a written response to Defence Nordic, PET says demand for security vetting has increased significantly over the past decade, particularly in the defence sector, which it describes as experiencing "strong growth".

PET says it has launched several initiatives to ensure that as many cases as possible are processed within six weeks, its target for cases that do not require additional information.

- These initiatives have been a major management priority within PET and have led to the allocation of additional resources, optimisation of workflows, and prioritisation of less complex cases, so these are not disproportionately delayed by more complex cases, the agency states.

PET adds that it expects these measures to help reduce waiting times for security clearances in 2026.

Norway is facing similar challenges. Suppliers must undergo a dedicated "supplier clearance" process conducted by the Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) at the organisational level.

All personnel, regardless of sector or entity, must also undergo individual security clearance by a designated authority, writes director Gudmund Gjølstad in an email to Defence Nordic.

- Over several years, Norway has experienced challenges related to lengthy case processing times, and there are currently issues affecting both supplier clearance and personnel security clearance, he notes.

On average, clearance cases in Norway take between two and three months to process.

-Many are completed more quickly, while some take more than one year, Gjølstad notes.

Significant variations

Vetting timelines vary significantly across the Nordic region.

In Sweden, the Swedish Security Service states that a records check takes approximately 10 days on average, from receipt of a request to response. This check forms part of the broader security screening conducted by the hiring authority. 

In 2025, the service received 172,000 requests.

The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) says, it conducts around 100,000 security vettings annually, a figure that has almost doubled since 2018 (61,601). Around half concern private companies whose activities may affect national security. 

Norway currently has two main clearance authorities: the Civil Clearance Authority (SKM) and the Norwegian Armed Forces Security Department (FSA), alongside several smaller specialised bodies.

In response to persistent delays, the Norwegian government has decided to implement a "clearance reform". Under this plan, cases handled by SKM and FSA will be consolidated into a new entity, the Clearance Directorate - scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2027.

In Denmark, PET reports it received 44,317 applications for security vetting in 2025, of which 24,762 came from the defence industry. The remainder were submitted by the police and other public authorities, excluding the armed forces.

Complexity

Finkielman, a former Danish Ministry of Defence official with top-level clearance, cites his own experience as indicative of delays.

- That process took a year, even though I had previously been cleared to the highest level. They know me, my family and my background, he says, while acknowledging that some cases take longer due to complexity.

- We recognise that vetting can be complex and that the burden is greater than before. But the vast majority of cases are straightforward, notes Joachim Finkielman.

He warns that the situation is directly affecting companies’ ability to compete. Companies risk losing contracts if their employees cannot be security-cleared and therefore cannot work. 

- At present, speed is essential in everything we do, including industry’s ability to deliver and defence’s ability to procure. If the system cannot keep pace, it will create problems, he says.