Social Security Number Justification Memo

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR
PRIVACY, CIVIL LIBERTIES, AND TRANSPARENCY
1155 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1155

May 8, 2025
Ref: SSNJ-2025-0013-DTIC
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DEFENSE TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER
SUBJECT: Justification for the Use of Social Security Numbers in the Defense Technical
Information Center (DTIC)/User Services Directorate Defense User Registration
System (DURS) - Approval
Thank you for completing a review of Social Security Number (SSN) use within the subject
system. My office has reviewed and approved your request to use the SSN for the following
Acceptable Use: (8) Computer Matching. SSN use is approved indefinitely or until the
establishment of a reasonable alternative for the collection of data other than the SSN such as the
Department of Defense Identification Number (DoD ID), or the program’s mission changes thus
eliminating the need for SSN use.
The DTIC requires registration for all eligible users requesting access to DTIC’s repository of
access-controlled scientific and technical information documents through the DURS. The SSN is
collected from authorized applicants to verify identity and affiliation. For example, for Federal
employees, the SSN is used to execute real-time validation with the Office of Personnel
Management’s (OPM’s) electronic Official Personnel Folder to verify the employment and
citizenship data of non-DoD personnel requesting access to DTIC digital resources. Additionally,
the SSN is collected to interface with the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) DoD Person
Search (DPS) to verify identity; DPS relies on the SSN as an alternate identifier to the DoD ID
attached to a user’s certificate when verifying an individual. When employment and citizenship are
verified, the SSN is discarded, and not available in any report or to any end user.
While this system has been identified as requiring the collection and use of the SSN, you must
ensure this data is afforded the highest protections practicable through use of appropriate
administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Please maintain a copy of your justification and
this approval in your records.
The reference number for this action is listed at the top of this memorandum. If you have any
questions, please contact my Team at osd.mc-alex.oatsd-pclt.mbx.pcld-ssnj@mail.mil.
signed by
KELETA.RAHW Digitally
KELETA.RAHWA.AMDEM
A.AMDEMARIA ARIAM.1298456431
Date: 2025.05.08
M.1298456431 18:05:21 -04'00'

Ms. Rahwa A. Keleta
Director, Privacy and Civil Liberties
Cc: WHS/ESD/RPDD