Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities in MD, VA & DC
If you’re not familiar with the term SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility),it is a U.S. Government accredited facility where Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) can be stored, discussed, or electronically processed. To design and construct a SCIF, there are certifications (or accreditations) that must be obtained to confirm that the SCIF meets industry and legal standards.
That’s right—there are very specific, specialized requirements when it comes to construction a SCIF, particularly in terms of physical security, visual controls, acoustic controls, access control, electronic, and TEMPEST security.
Learn more about these specialized requirements below, or contact our UL 2050 certified team at ASI for assistance building or maintaining your SCIF in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond!
Specialized Requirements of a SCIF
As a U.S. accredited facility that stores Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), it makes sense that a SCIF must adhere to rigorous requirements! These requirements are extremely strict when moving through the SCIF accreditation process, and they include the following specifications.
- Ductwork – If there are openings in the ductwork that exceed 96 square inches, they have to be equipped with steel man bars that are a half inch thick and extend six inches away from the center in each direction. These bars have to be welded together where they intersect, and there must be inspection ports inside of the SCIF. All of the above (the ductwork, openings, and duct breaks) must have special sections inserted for securing audio and electric emissions from escaping the SCIF area.
- Electronic & Communication Systems – Any telephone, emergency system, electrical power, data, or emergency system has to be both dedicated to and contained within the SCIF itself to meet these requirements. If a utility enters the SCIF in any way, it should also terminate within the SCIF! This is to minimize the chance of compromising any information meant to be contained within the facility.
- Access Control – Entry and exit doors have to use two access control technologies (one for daily use, and one for locking up when the facility is left unattended) to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the SCIF at any given time.
- Intrusion Detection – The Intrusion Detection System (IDS) must be installed by a UL 2050 Certified installer, using approved components, to prevent unauthorized entry into the SCIF.
ASI’s expertise and UL 2050 Certification make us the perfect choice to secure and provide maintenance for any SCIF area, room, or building. We address all necessary points of concern, with keen focus on adhering to the specific requirements for a fully accredited “open” or “closed” storage facility.
SCIF Security & Maintenance in Washington, DC Area & Beyond
The team at ASI has extensive experience with SCIF’s. We can help you securely store sensitive information. Our service area includes Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, and more. Whether the SCIF is a secure room within a government facility or is a portable unit designed to be shipped to any part of the globe, the job is still the same—keeping your secure information safe. We’re here to provide the security you need, regardless of your business’s size or industry.
Contact us for assistance building or maintaining your SCIF today!
