What type of inquiries are made to record owners outside of DHS to gather NS information?

The correct choice, which indicates "External Vetting," refers to the process of making inquiries to record owners or stakeholders outside of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to gather necessary national security information. This approach is important for creating a comprehensive understanding of a situation or individual that might relate to national security concerns. External vetting is essential because it leverages information from various sources, allowing for a more thorough evaluation and informed decision-making regarding security or immigration matters.

Understanding the distinction between internal and external record inquiries is critical. Internal vetting would reference reviewing and validating information within DHS or related governmental databases. In contrast, security checks are broad assessments focused on a person's eligibility and background, often part of a process involving both internal and external data. Deconfliction typically refers to the process of ensuring that different investigations or security operations do not interfere with each other, but it does not specifically pertain to gathering information from external sources.

Thus, external vetting plays a key role in enhancing the integrity of the information gathered during vetting processes by incorporating diverse and credible data from outside agencies or records, ensuring a well-rounded assessment in line with national security objectives.