In recent years, certain Chinese video surveillance and telecommunications equipment manufacturers have come under scrutiny because of the potential security risks they pose to U.S. security.
The number of new security clearances provided by the federal government, including renewals, has decreased by 9 percent since 2011, according to a new report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The number of approved clearances dropped for the second consecutive year in FY2013, to just more than 777,000.