What is required for safeguarding background investigation reports according to the procedures?

To safeguard background investigation reports, it is essential that they be stored in a secured container. This ensures that sensitive information is protected from unauthorized access and potential breaches of privacy. Secured containers, such as locked files or safes, provide a physical barrier against unauthorized individuals who may wish to view or misuse the information contained in these reports. This practice aligns with the principles of personnel security, which emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive and personal information related to individuals, especially in contexts involving security clearances or sensitive positions.

Public accessibility or sharing the reports freely would compromise the confidentiality and integrity of the sensitive information. Similarly, while digital storage can be secure, it does not inherently provide the necessary safeguards unless combined with encryption and access controls; therefore, merely being stored digitally without further precautions does not meet the required standards.