SCIF Accreditation Package

While designing, building, and delivering a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) represent major milestones toward standing up your secure program, accreditation is the final step that validates months of work and ultimately clears the space for operational use. Faraday Defense provides comprehensive documentation to your Site Security Manager (SSM) throughout the lifecycle of the container build, as well as a consolidated closeout package upon project completion.

This closeout package will include, among other items:

• An approved design set of drawings and as-builts
• Product submittals
• Photo documentation of the construction process

Understanding document control requirements early on is key to keeping your project on track and avoiding delays during the final approval stage.

Before construction begins, you or your SSM representative should address several items with your Accreditation Official (AO). A risk assessment must be conducted for the construction site, which will form the basis for the Construction Security Plan (CSP). The CSP will include this risk assessment and incorporate additional elements such as perimeter security, intrusion detection, surveillance, access control, personnel management, and the site’s security policies throughout the build.

During this phase, a preliminary Fixed Facility Checklist (FFC) and a TEMPEST addendum will also be submitted. While it’s understood that some of this information may evolve during construction, providing as much detail as possible up front is considered best practice. Any outstanding items that the AO deems necessary will be requested through the AO or the SSM.

Once construction is complete, the next step is to submit the final accreditation package to your AO. This submission will typically include:

• Material specification or data sheets for all installed components
• UL 2050 and NIST 128-bit certification for the intrusion detection system
• A log or Master Access Roster (MAR) listing all personnel involved in construction, along with any required training records
• Reports of any injuries sustained on site
• Extensive photo documentation confirming that the facility was built in accordance with ICD 705 specifications
• If TEMPEST requirements were outlined by your AO, this is also the stage where compliance must be verified against the original addendum and confirmed in the final FFC.

Other items may also be requested by the SSM or AO, even if not explicitly outlined in DoD manuals—for example, a penetration schedule or CCTV coverage map.

It’s a good practice to regularly revisit your accreditation requirements throughout the SCIF build. Overlooking elements such as layered wall systems or missing documentation can lead to costly demolition or rework. Maintaining thorough document control from start to finish will save time and reduce the likelihood of delays.

Having the right contractor working alongside your SSM—familiar with the IC Tech Spec and TEMPEST standards—is critical to mission success. Faraday Defense is committed to being that partner, providing expert guidance and support throughout the entire process to ensure that your facility’s accreditation is smooth, complete, and aligned with the fastest path to program readiness.