The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has put forward a proposal to broaden the scope of individuals subject to polygraph testing.
The initiative suggests expanding the list to include company representatives, candidates for secret intelligence roles, and foreigners who may pose a potential threat to national security.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the proposal was driven by intelligence agencies, aiming to enhance security screenings for employees seeking access to classified information or work permits.
Currently, only civil servants, military personnel, and government agency employees working with classified information can be subjected to polygraph tests. The proposed amendments would extend this requirement to intelligence job applicants as well.
“At present, secret intelligence personnel can undergo polygraph testing, but there is no such possibility for candidates,” the ministry stated.
The proposal also includes polygraph testing for foreigners identified as potential security risks. These risk assessments are conducted by the State Security Department (SSD), which provides its conclusions to the Migration Department.
Under existing regulations, government agencies involved in law enforcement, military intelligence, the SSD, and the Special Investigation Service are authorized to conduct polygraph examinations.
