Sensitive compartmented information facility

Access

Access to SCIFs is normally limited to those individuals with appropriate security clearances. Non-cleared personnel in SCIFs must be under the constant oversight of cleared personnel and all classified information and material removed from view to prevent unauthorized access. As part of this process, non-cleared personnel are also typically required to surrender all recording, photographic and other electronic media devices. All of the activity and conversation inside is presumed restricted from public disclosure.

Construction

Some entire buildings are SCIFs where all but the front foyer is secure. A SCIF can also be located in an air, ground or maritime vehicle, or can be established temporarily at a specific site. The physical construction, access control, and alarming of the facility has been defined by various directives, including Director of Central Intelligence Directives (DCIDs) 1/21 and 6/9, and most recently (2011) by Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705, signed by the director of national intelligence. ICD 705 is a three-page capstone document that implements Intelligence Community Standard (ICS) 705-1, ICS 705-2 and the Technical Specifications for Construction and Management of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities or "Tech Specs." The latest version of the Tech Specs was published in March 2020 (Version 1.5).

Computers operating within such a facility must conform to rules established by ICD 503. Computers and telecommunication equipment within must conform to TEMPEST emanations specification as directed by a Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA).

Officials documented to have had a SCIF set up in their private residences include:

• President George W. Bush at his Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas (which he used as his Western White House)
• Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at her Washington, D.C., and Chappaqua, New York, homes
• President Donald Trump at both Trump Tower in New York City, and at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida

References

References

1. Rafferty, Andrew. (April 7, 2017). "Here's the kind of security needed to discuss sensitive information".
2. Kelsey, Adam. (6 January 2017). "What Is a SCIF? Inside the Room Used for Intelligence Briefings".
3. Choate, Trish. (January 15, 2009). "Air Force planning to train hundreds yearly in cyber warfare skills". [[San Angelo Standard-Times]].
4. McGrath, Jenny. (October 23, 2019). "Why Can't You Bring Electronic Devices into a SCIF?".
5. "ANNEX D: Part I - Portable Electronic Devices in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities".
6. Schneier, Bruce. (16 January 2014). "Today I Briefed Congress on the NSA".
7. Keating, T. J.. (April 1, 2011). "Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations". DIANE Publishing.
8. Nunez, Elissa. (April 7, 2017). "What this photo of Trump's war room tells us".
9. (2017-09-28). "Technical Specifications for Construction and Management of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities".
10. (September 2, 2016). "FBI releases Hillary Clinton email report".