Nearly a month after being taken offline, the Office of Personnel Management's e-QIP system for online background check submissions is up and running again.
For the time being, however, agencies are being granted access on an incremental basis, so it might be some time before it is fully operational.
More: OPM suspends background check app to fix security hole
The system was pulled offline in late June after cybersecurity officials noticed a significant flaw that could be exploited by malicious actors. At the time, OPM officials said the system was taken down as a precautionary measure and not due to any breach.
OPM reiterated Thursday that there was no evidence the vulnerability was exploited.
Agencies will be getting access to the system in increments, according to OPM Press Secretary Sam Schumach, "in an effort to resume this service in an efficient and orderly way."
While e-QIP was down, agencies were filing paper forms for background investigations, some of which will now have to be entered through the online system.
More: Hang on to your security clearance forms
Along with fixing the security flaw, OPM — with assistance from the Office of Management and Budget and Department of Homeland Security — has instituted stronger password protections and other security enhancements on the system.
"Based on the security enhancements and the extensive testing that has been completed, OPM is re-enabling access to e-QIP with confidence in the security of the system," Schumach said.
Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.
