Everything you need to know about building a SCIF

Building a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) — or SAPF for Special Access Programs — is not like building a typical conference room or office space. These secure facilities have unique challenges, strict security requirements, and demanding timelines that can derail a project if not handled correctly.

Every SCIF project represents a major investment in national security. Missteps in design, permitting, or construction can result in accreditation failure, schedule delays, and costly rework.

At CenCore, we specialize in SCIF design, build, and accreditation — whether permanent, modular, or mobile. Here are five key questions every organization should ask before starting a SCIF build to protect time, budget, and mission success.

What accreditation standard applies to your mission?

Every SCIF must meet strict standards to achieve accreditation — the formal approval that the space protects sensitive information. Most projects fall under ICD-705, which governs design and construction for facilities handling classified material. But each agency adds its own interpretation, so early alignment is critical.

This affects everything from acoustic protection and wall materials to access control systems and inspection requirements. Even small projects need accredited oversight to track compliance and reduce risk.

CenCore’s engineers and cleared project managers manage ICD-705 and SAPF requirements daily, from design through inspection and turnover.

➡ Explore our SCIF Accreditation Services to see how we streamline the process for any secure space or facility type.

How will you protect against RF, EMI, and TEMPEST threats?

A secure facility isn’t truly secure without electromagnetic protection. RF and EMI shielding protect your classified systems from external interference and prevent data leaks through electromagnetic emanations.

TEMPEST and HEMP protection standards (like MIL-STD-188 and NSA 94-106) set the bar for shielding effectiveness. These measures must be designed in from the start — not added later — to avoid delays and re-accreditation risk.

Our SCIFs are built with advanced acoustic and electronic shielding, combining RF barriers, filtered power, and grounded infrastructure for both mission systems and adjacent data centers or secure communication suites.

➡ Learn about our HEMP & EMI Shielding Solutions that harden your facility against signal and power threats.

Who controls security during construction?

One of the most overlooked phases in SCIF construction is the build itself. Security risks don’t start when a SCIF is operational — they begin when materials and people first access the site.

A Construction Security Plan (CSP) governs personnel vetting, site access, and storage of secure materials. Without it, vulnerabilities emerge before walls even go up.

CenCore’s cleared physical security teams manage on-site protection, ensuring vetted workers, locked storage, and real-time coordination with government security officers. Our experience spans both large installations and small projects under compressed timelines — each handled with the same accreditation rigor.

➡ See our Cleared Physical Security Capabilities to keep your SCIF project secure from start to finish.

How will your design support future upgrades or relocation?

Missions evolve, and your secure space should too. Whether adapting to new technology or relocating to a forward site, your SCIF design should anticipate change.

Modular SCIFs allow faster deployment and scalability, reducing re-accreditation time while maintaining compliance. These flexible designs are ideal for expanding conference rooms, sensor hubs, or deployable command posts where agility matters.

CenCore’s modular and panelized construction methods simplify permitting and inspection, saving both cost and schedule while meeting every ICD-705 standard.

➡ Explore our Modular SCIF Design & Build Services to see how we engineer flexible secure environments that evolve with your mission.

How will you verify and document compliance?

When it’s time for final inspection, documentation is everything. Accreditation depends on verified test results and detailed records proving each security requirement has been met.

Comprehensive testing covers:

CenCore’s team manages the full compliance lifecycle — design validation, on-site inspections, and turnover documentation — so accreditation happens once, not twice.

➡ Visit our [SCIF Accreditation Services] for a closer look at our process.

The Bottom Line

Building a SCIF is about more than meeting standards — it’s about building confidence. From small projects to enterprise-level facilities, each secure space must protect people, data, and mission continuity under the toughest conditions.

CenCore delivers ICD-705-compliant, accredited, and deployable SCIFs that integrate physical security, acoustic protection, and RF shielding — all built to your mission’s exact needs.

Whether you’re upgrading an existing space or launching a new secure facility, we help you build it right, on time, and with accreditation certainty.

➡ Learn more about [SCIF Design & Construction with CenCore] and start your next secure facility project today.

About CenCore 

Headquartered in Springville, UT, CenCore is a trusted partner in delivering innovative security solutions in an ever-evolving threat landscape. CenCore delivers U.S.-made, tech-agnostic, open-source security systems that ensure global secure communications. CenCore prioritizes cost-effective, high-performance solutions over superficial appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) is a secured area used to handle classified or sensitive information. SCIFs protect against electronic eavesdropping, physical intrusion, and unauthorized access. They’re essential in defense, intelligence, and government operations.

A SCIF protects Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), while a SAPF — or Special Access Program Facility — is designed for programs with additional compartmented access restrictions. Both share similar design and security principles under ICD-705 but have different authorization chains.

Accreditation time varies by project size and agency involvement. Small projects or modular units can often achieve accreditation within weeks after testing, while large-scale facilities may take several months due to inspection, documentation, and permitting processes.

The biggest risks include using non-compliant materials, failing to maintain construction security, or making layout changes without approval. Each can delay accreditation and increase cost. Using vetted personnel and maintaining inspection records mitigate these risks.

Modular and containerized SCIFs are pre-engineered, accredited units that can be delivered and installed rapidly. They’re ideal for forward operating bases, data centers, or temporary command nodes that require full security compliance and minimal setup time.

Almost any enclosed space — from conference rooms to shipping containers — can become a SCIF if it meets ICD-705 physical and technical requirements. Design considerations include layout, walls, penetrations, windows, and HVAC isolation.

You can contact CenCore’s SCIF and Secure Facility Team to discuss your project scope, timeline, and accreditation goals. We design, build, and accredit secure environments across defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors.