The ICD 705 de-accreditation process and how the facility can be re-accredited The development of a SCIF or SAPF is a long and often incredibly expensive process. When you’ve invested so much time and money into a facility, the last thing you want is to lose the accreditation that you worked so hard to get. However, thanks to allowances made in the ICS 705, de-accreditation doesn’t have to be … [Read more...] about What Happens When a SCIF Is De-accredited?
Do’s and Don’ts of TEMPEST Mitigations
Best practices for navigating TEMPEST requirements throughout the project life cycle TEMPEST, the study, investigation and mitigation of unintentional emanations from electronic equipment, is a complicated and sometimes overlooked aspect of SCIF and SAPF security. The DD 254 form, the form the government uses to communicate security requirements for construction to contractors, has a simple yes … [Read more...] about Do’s and Don’ts of TEMPEST Mitigations
An Overview of ICD 705 Wall Requirements
What does the Tech Spec say about building a perimeter wall for a SCIF or SAPF? The perimeter walls of a secure facility are a key part of the physical, acoustic and TEMPEST protections, and the ICD 705 Technical Specifications, or Tech Spec, lay out the requirements for building these walls. The Tech Spec also includes three suggested wall types for meeting different levels of STC rating or … [Read more...] about An Overview of ICD 705 Wall Requirements
What can you do if your facility doesn’t meet its STC rating?
An overview of STC mitigations and sound masking Secure facilities like SCIFs and SAPFs need to meet a certain standard of acoustic protection, measured in a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating. The ICD 705 Technical Specifications, or Tech Spec, necessitates a minimum of STC 45, though you may face higher requirements based on your facility’s specific vulnerabilities and the recommendations … [Read more...] about What can you do if your facility doesn’t meet its STC rating?
Analyzing the Changes to the ICS 705 Policy
What’s different in ICS 705-02, released in early 2022 The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) rolled out changes to the Intelligence Community Standard (ICS) 705-02 policy on March 28, 2022. This policy dictates the standards for accreditation and use of SCIFs and SAPFs. While the ICD 705 Technical Specifications, or Tech Spec, undergoes changes approximately every 18 … [Read more...] about Analyzing the Changes to the ICS 705 Policy
The Requirements for Windows in a Secure Facility
What does it take to have a window in a SCIF, SAPF, or Closed Area? The benefits of natural light have been written about extensively: It offers necessary vitamin D, can help you sleep better, and can even ward off seasonal depression. However, in a secure facility, letting natural light in through windows creates a security vulnerability that requires extensive mitigation, if it can be allowed … [Read more...] about The Requirements for Windows in a Secure Facility
How Does RF Shielding Effectiveness Testing Work?
An overview of how TEMPEST testing is conducted If you’re constructing a SCIF or SAPF, part of your requirements will include meeting TEMPEST standards for radio frequency (RF) shielding. This is a crucial part of both your facility security and your accreditation. The requirements for these tests are laid out in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 299, the Standard Method … [Read more...] about How Does RF Shielding Effectiveness Testing Work?
How Does the SCIF Accreditation Process Work?
How to cross the finish line with your SCIF or SAPF project Accreditation is the ultimate end point of SCIF or SAPF construction. The last thing you want is to invest time and money into the construction only to stumble at the finish line and not have your facility accredited by your Accrediting Official (AO). But the process of SCIF accreditation doesn’t begin when you finish your … [Read more...] about How Does the SCIF Accreditation Process Work?
What Would it Take For A SCIF Employee to Work From Home?
The difficulties of getting an at-home SCIF During the pandemic, working from home became commonplace across many industries. However, for those who work with classified, secret or top-secret information in a secure facility, that’s a significantly more complicated prospect. Classified information is accessed and protected in SCIFs and SAPFs, and if an employee wishes to work from home, they’ll … [Read more...] about What Would it Take For A SCIF Employee to Work From Home?