Cleared Facilities
Cleared facilities are physical locations that have been authorized to store, process, and discuss classified information. These include government buildings, contractor sites, and specialized secure rooms where classified work takes place.
Quick Facts
| Purpose | Protect classified information |
| Authorization | Government approval required |
| Types | Government sites, contractor facilities, SCIFs |
| Oversight | DCSA, sponsoring agencies |
Types of Cleared Facilities
Government Facilities
Federal buildings and installations:
- Military bases
- Agency headquarters
- Government research centers
- Federal office buildings
Access controlled by the owning agency.
Contractor Facilities
Private company sites with Facility Clearance[2]:
- Corporate offices
- Manufacturing plants
- Research laboratories
- Data centers
Must meet NISPOM requirements and maintain FCL.
SCIFs
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities[3]:
- Specifically accredited for SCI
- Enhanced physical security
- Technical countermeasures
- Strict access controls
SCIFs can exist within larger cleared facilities.
Facility Clearance Levels
| Level | Information Allowed |
|---|---|
| Confidential | Confidential and below |
| Secret | Secret and below |
| Top Secret | Top Secret and below |
Facility level must meet or exceed the classification of work performed.
Physical Security Requirements
Cleared facilities must implement[1]:
Perimeter security:
- Controlled access points
- Badge/credential systems
- Security personnel
- Visitor management
Interior controls:
- Classified storage (safes, vaults)
- Clean desk policies
- Secure destruction capabilities
- Intrusion detection
Technical security:
- TEMPEST requirements (where applicable)
- Network security
- Communication security
Accessing Cleared Facilities
Requirements for access:
- Appropriate clearance level
- Need to know
- Facility-specific authorization
- Proper credentials
Visitor procedures:
- Clearance verification
- Escort requirements (for some areas)
- Visitor logs
- Briefings on facility rules
Working in Cleared Facilities
Daily considerations:
- Badge always visible
- No personal electronic devices (varies)
- No photography without authorization
- Clean desk before leaving
- Secure classified materials properly
Prohibited items typically include:
- Personal cell phones (in some areas)
- Cameras
- Recording devices
- Unauthorized storage media
Escort Requirements
Uncleared or lower-cleared individuals may access facilities with escorts:
- Must remain with escort at all times
- Limited to specific areas
- Documented visitor access
- Cannot access classified materials
This allows necessary maintenance, deliveries, and meetings.
SCIF-Specific Requirements
SCIFs have additional requirements[3]:
- ICD 705 construction standards
- Sound attenuation
- RF shielding (where required)
- Two-person integrity (for some)
- Special access procedures
Related
References
- ^ DoD 5220.22-M: National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Department of Defense. Accessed 2026-01-08.
- ^ Facility Clearances. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Accessed 2026-01-10.
- ^ ICD 704: Personnel Security Standards and Procedures Governing Eligibility for Access to SCI. Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Accessed 2026-01-08.