Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility
Encyclopedia
In United States
security and intelligence parlance, a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF; pronounced "skiff") is an enclosed area within a building that is used to process Sensitive Compartmented Information
(SCI) level classified information
. SCI is classified information concerning or derived from intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes, which is required to be handled within formal access control systems established by the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). Some entire buildings are SCIFs where all but the front foyer is secure. Access to SCIFs is limited, and all of the activity and conversation inside is presumed restricted from public disclosure. A SCIF can also be located in a mobile configuration and can be deployed using air, ground or maritime resources.
The physical construction, access control
, and alarming of the facility is defined under Director of Central Intelligence Directive
(DCID) 6/9, and was previously specified through DCID 1/21. On May 27th, 2010, the Director of National Intelligence signed Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705, which fully rescinds both DCID 6/9 and DCID 1/21. ICD 705 is a three page capstone document that implements Intelligence Community Standard (ICS) 705.1, which has 90 days to become effective as the primary guidance on SCIF construction. The computers running within this facility must operate under rules set forth in ICD 503, which effectively replaced DCID 6/3 even though DCID 6/3 implementation is still in effect. Computers and telecommunication equipment within must fall within the TEMPEST
emanations specification as directed by a Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA).
SCI is usually only briefed, discussed, and stored in an accredited SCIF. Moreover, programs handled under the SCI paradigm are normally not publicly acknowledged by the U.S. government.
There are SCIFs in the United States Capitol
in which members of Congress
are routinely briefed on intelligence, counterintelligence and military operations. In U.S. nuclear labs, computers that store weapons data are housed inside SCIFs. Components of the United States Department of Homeland Security
, such as the Science & Technology Directorate's new National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center
(NBACC) at Fort Detrick
, Maryland
, and the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis
have SCIFs. Many U.S. military installations in the United States and around the world are equipped with SCIFs.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
security and intelligence parlance, a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF; pronounced "skiff") is an enclosed area within a building that is used to process Sensitive Compartmented Information
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Sensitive compartmented information is a type of United States classified information concerning or derived from sensitive intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes. All SCI must be handled within formal access control systems established by the Director of National Intelligence...
(SCI) level classified information
Classified information
Classified information is sensitive information to which access is restricted by law or regulation to particular groups of persons. A formal security clearance is required to handle classified documents or access classified data. The clearance process requires a satisfactory background investigation...
. SCI is classified information concerning or derived from intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes, which is required to be handled within formal access control systems established by the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). Some entire buildings are SCIFs where all but the front foyer is secure. Access to SCIFs is limited, and all of the activity and conversation inside is presumed restricted from public disclosure. A SCIF can also be located in a mobile configuration and can be deployed using air, ground or maritime resources.
The physical construction, access control
Access control
Access control refers to exerting control over who can interact with a resource. Often but not always, this involves an authority, who does the controlling. The resource can be a given building, group of buildings, or computer-based information system...
, and alarming of the facility is defined under Director of Central Intelligence Directive
Director of Central Intelligence Directive
A Director of Central Intelligence Directive is a policy and guidance document issued by the Director of Central Intelligence that provides guidance and direction to members of the US Intelligence Community. Many DCIDs have been superseded or modified by Intelligence Community Directives issued...
(DCID) 6/9, and was previously specified through DCID 1/21. On May 27th, 2010, the Director of National Intelligence signed Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705, which fully rescinds both DCID 6/9 and DCID 1/21. ICD 705 is a three page capstone document that implements Intelligence Community Standard (ICS) 705.1, which has 90 days to become effective as the primary guidance on SCIF construction. The computers running within this facility must operate under rules set forth in ICD 503, which effectively replaced DCID 6/3 even though DCID 6/3 implementation is still in effect. Computers and telecommunication equipment within must fall within the TEMPEST
TEMPEST
TEMPEST is a codename referring to investigations and studies of compromising emission . Compromising emanations are defined as unintentional intelligence-bearing signals which, if intercepted and analyzed, may disclose the information transmitted, received, handled, or otherwise processed by any...
emanations specification as directed by a Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA).
SCI is usually only briefed, discussed, and stored in an accredited SCIF. Moreover, programs handled under the SCI paradigm are normally not publicly acknowledged by the U.S. government.
There are SCIFs in the United States Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
in which members of Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
are routinely briefed on intelligence, counterintelligence and military operations. In U.S. nuclear labs, computers that store weapons data are housed inside SCIFs. Components of the United States Department of Homeland Security
United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
, such as the Science & Technology Directorate's new National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center
National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center
The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center is a government biodefense research laboratory created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and located at the sprawling biodefense campus at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, USA. Created quietly a few months after the 2001 anthrax...
(NBACC) at Fort Detrick
Fort Detrick
Fort Detrick is a U.S. Army Medical Command installation located in Frederick, Maryland, USA. Historically, Fort Detrick was the center for the United States' biological weapons program ....
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, and the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis
Office of Intelligence and Analysis
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis is a part of the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, of the United States Department of the Treasury and is responsible for the receipt, analysis, collation, and dissemination of foreign intelligence and foreign counterintelligence information...
have SCIFs. Many U.S. military installations in the United States and around the world are equipped with SCIFs.
External links
- "Physical Security Standards for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities", DCIDDirector of Central Intelligence DirectiveA Director of Central Intelligence Directive is a policy and guidance document issued by the Director of Central Intelligence that provides guidance and direction to members of the US Intelligence Community. Many DCIDs have been superseded or modified by Intelligence Community Directives issued...
6/9 Text; effective 18 November 2002. Retrieved 2010-07-19. - "Director of Central Intelligence Directive 6/3 Protecting sensitive compartmented information within in information systems", MANUAL. n.d. Retrieved 2010-07-19.