So You Need a SCIF...

So You Were Just Awarded a Contract That Requires a SCIF...

Congratulations! That moment of excitement is often followed by the same question: “Now what?”

Whether it’s your first foray into high-security construction or you’ve been around the block a time or two, it’s important to have a plan that aligns your contract needs with your physical space constraints. SCIFs and SAPFs are spaces built to strict government standards to protect classified information. Whether your team handles national security data, works with defense technology, or processes sensitive communications, building or leasing a SCIF can feel overwhelming.

Here’s how to turn that new requirement into a clear, manageable plan.

Step 1: Start with an Assessment

Before floor plans or budgets, start with a clear plan. An early assessment defines what type of facility you need, what mitigations will be required, and how it aligns with your contract obligations.

Begin by reviewing the contract or task order that triggered your SCIF requirement.

Determine:

• What security level of information will you handle?

• How many people and workstations will the facility need to support today?

• Will your contract or program likely expand in scope or staffing, requiring future secure space?

• Should you plan for additional square footage now to accommodate other secure projects or classified contracts later?

Answering these questions up front helps right-size your facility and avoid costly redesigns down the line. From there, identify the form your project will take:

• New construction, modular facility, or retrofit within an existing building?

• What acoustic performance is required?

• What level of TEMPEST or RF shielding will your equipment and mission demand?

This stage usually involves close coordination with your Government Security Representative, who will provide the ICD 705 requirements defining how your space must perform—acoustically, visually, and electromagnetically.

Taking the time to assess both today’s operational needs and tomorrow’s potential growth sets the foundation for a facility that stays mission-ready for years to come.

Step 2: Identify and Evaluate Your Location

Once you understand your contract requirements and program growth needs, the next step is identifying where your SCIF will live. The right location can make compliance and accreditation smoother; the wrong one can add months of redesign and unexpected cost.

Start by evaluating whether you’ll be building:

• A new stand-alone facility designed specifically for secure operations

• A modular or panelized structure that can be deployed quickly and relocated if needed

• A retrofit inside an existing building, adapting current infrastructure for secure use

Each option comes with trade-offs in cost, schedule, and complexity. For example, retrofits can offer speed and lower initial costs but may be limited by how much available space you can dedicate to your new facility.

When assessing locations, consider:

• Building construction type – Steel framing, concrete, or mixed materials can affect RF and acoustic mitigation.

• Proximity to other tenants – Adjacent or overhead spaces may impact sound and signal isolation.

• Access to utilities and systems – Mechanical, electrical, and telecom paths should support secure routing.

• Future scalability – Can the site accommodate additional secure areas or program expansion later?

We often assist clients during this early site evaluation phase—before leases are signed or sites are purchased—to identify potential risks, confirm feasibility, and determine whether the location supports your long-term mission.

A thoughtful location strategy ensures your project starts on solid ground—literally and operationally.

Step 3: Define Your Space Requirements

Once you’ve identified the right location, it’s time to define what happens inside the walls of your secure facility. This step shapes the way your team will operate, collaborate, and maintain compliance once the SCIF is complete.

Start by mapping the functions your team will perform in the space. Every operation—whether analysis, engineering, command, or storage—comes with its own set of requirements. Work closely with your internal stakeholders and security representative to answer key questions like:

• How many cleared personnel will need daily workspace?

• Will your team require conference or collaboration areas for classified discussions?

• Do you need dedicated equipment or server rooms?

• What support spaces—like restrooms, mechanical rooms, or unclassified areas—must remain outside the SCIF boundary?

These answers will help determine not only your total square footage but also how your space should be zoned for security and functionality.

It’s equally important to think beyond immediate needs. Will your organization expand its secure programs or personnel over the next few years? Planning for modular growth or scalable secure areas can save significant time and cost down the line.

As you define your layout, remember that a SCIF is more than just walls and locks—it’s a coordinated system of acoustic isolation, RF shielding, access control, and environmental design. The earlier these considerations are integrated, the more seamless the construction and accreditation process will be.

Step 4: Engage Accrediting and Oversight Teams Early

By this stage, you’ve defined your space and understand how it will function. The next—and often most critical—step is to engage your accrediting authority early in the design process. This collaboration ensures your plans meet security standards and helps you avoid costly rework later.

Don’t wait until design is complete to reach out. Involve your accreditation team early—whether it’s from the DIA, NSA, or your prime contractor—during the concept design phase. Early engagement allows you to align your security approach with their expectations from the start. Gone are the days of building a facility without their input, so don’t wait to get them involved.

We recommend a phased review process that keeps everyone aligned and reduces surprises at accreditation:

• Preliminary Concept Review – Present your overall layout and preliminary strategies for acoustic isolation, RF shielding, and physical hardening.

• 50% Security Design Review – Provide detailed information on penetration types and locations, mitigation details, hardening components, and access control systems.

• 100% Security Design Review – By maintaining coordination throughout earlier phases, this final stage should confirm confidence in your compliance. The plan set should include complete, approved details for all security-related systems, forming the foundation for accreditation.

When done correctly, these review steps not only ensure alignment with your accrediting team but also accelerate the construction and acceptance process. With an agreed-upon design and clear path to accreditation, your next priority is assembling the right project team—one capable of executing these details with precision.

Step 5: Build the Right Team

A SCIF isn’t just another construction project—it’s a precision-built environment where architecture, engineering, and security standards must work in perfect coordination. Once your plans are approved and your accreditation team is aligned, success depends on having a project team that understands secure facility construction from the ground up.

Every element of a SCIF—walls, conduits, HVAC, electrical systems, finishes—plays a role in maintaining the facility’s integrity. Small missteps during construction can lead to costly rework or accreditation delays later. That’s why experience matters.

When assembling your team, look for partners who bring:

• Proven experience with ICD 705 and TEMPEST compliance – They should understand how to interpret and implement security specifications in real-world construction.

• Direct coordination experience with accrediting authorities – Teams that have worked through the review and testing process know how to anticipate agency expectations.

• A track record of delivering accredited SCIFs or SAPFs – Past performance is the best indicator of future reliability.

• In-house or partnered testing capabilities – Access to RF attenuation, acoustic, and physical security testing ensures the space performs as designed.

At Emblem Builders, we take a collaborative approach—working hand-in-hand with architects, security representatives, and government stakeholders to ensure every detail is executed with accuracy and documented for accreditation. Our team’s expertise in both construction and compliance bridges the gap between design intent and operational reality.

Building the right team early ensures every penetration, conduit, and seam is installed with purpose, every test is passed the first time, and every mission requirement is met.

From Requirement to Reality

Building a SCIF can seem complex, but with the right process, partners, and preparation, it’s entirely achievable. Each step—from assessment through accreditation—builds on the last to deliver a space that protects your mission and empowers your people.

At Emblem Builders, we don’t just construct secure facilities—we help our clients navigate every stage of the journey with clarity, confidence, and compliance.

Ready to start your SCIF journey? Let’s turn your contract requirement into a secure, accredited, and operational facility built for success.