TEMPEST Shielding for Government Buildings & SCIFs
TEMPEST shielding for government buildings and SCIFs has to be precise and verification-ready from day one. When TEMPEST requirements apply within an ICD-705 project, we deliver a complete shielding design package aligned with the overall SCIF scope—so your secure workspaces, meeting areas, equipment rooms, and controlled storage stay on schedule, on budget, and protected against unintended electromagnetic emissions that can create exposure risk, interfere with sensitive systems, or jeopardize accreditation.
Before/After
TEMPEST shielding that verifies the first time
Full-scope EMSEC/TEMPEST shielding delivery: engineered designs, stamped-ready drawings, and trade coordination for clean installs, controlled penetrations, and verified performance.
TEMPEST shielded SCIF
By the numbers
Experts in TEMPEST Shielding
Proven SCIF & ICD-705 building design support—from first calculation to final closeout. Fast turnarounds, clean coordination, predictable outcomes.
One team, from concept to closeout
Don’t gamble with accreditation, security, or mission uptime by settling for “good enough” TEMPEST/EMSEC shielding. We deliver end-to-end TEMPEST shielding design and implementation support—often within ICD-705 SCIF programs—so your secure spaces stay controlled, compliant, and protected against unintended electromagnetic emissions that can create exposure risk, degrade sensitive systems, or derail verification.
Fewer Change Orders, Smoother Construction
Our TEMPEST shielding documents are built for the field—clear details, coordinated drawings, and practical installation guidance. That means fewer surprises, less rework, and tighter schedule control on secure projects.
Code-Ready, Inspection-Ready Deliverables
We produce calculations, drawings, and design packages aligned with EMSEC/TEMPEST requirements and applicable agency standards. The result: a cleaner path to reviews, verification testing, and final turnover.
Faster Turnarounds for New Labs and Retrofits
Whether you’re building new or upgrading an existing secure area, we streamline design, detailing, and coordination to reduce back-and-forth—and get you to operational readiness sooner.
Coordination for MEP, Doors, and Penetrations
TEMPEST performance succeeds or fails at the interfaces—HVAC, electrical, conduit, data cabling, security hardware, and every penetration. We coordinate the details so continuity stays intact and performance holds up during test and inspection.
TEMPEST Shielding FAQ
TEMPEST shielding is a set of construction and systems measures used to reduce the risk of sensitive information being exposed through unintended electromagnetic emissions from electronic equipment and cabling. TEMPEST shielding is often discussed under “EMSEC” (emissions security) and may involve RF/EMI shielding, filtered interfaces, and strict control of penetrations and bonding.
RF/EMI shielding is commonly used to reduce electromagnetic interference that can disrupt equipment or communications. TEMPEST shielding is focused on emissions security—reducing the chance that information-bearing emissions can be detected or exploited outside a controlled area. TEMPEST programs often require tighter control of seams, penetrations, doors, and cable/pipe interfaces than general RF/EMI projects.
TEMPEST shielding is not automatically required for every government building. TEMPEST requirements are typically driven by the program’s security authority, mission type, classification level, and risk criteria. Many projects only require standard RF/EMI control, while others require formal EMSEC/TEMPEST measures and verification.
TEMPEST shielding and ICD-705 are related but not identical. ICD-705 defines requirements for SCIF construction and accreditation. TEMPEST shielding may be included within an ICD-705 SCIF project when the program’s EMSEC requirements call for it. In practice, TEMPEST design work is coordinated as part of the broader ICD-705 SCIF scope when applicable.
A TEMPEST shielding design package typically includes shielding assembly details, seam and joint requirements, door and frame interface details, bonding/grounding intent, and penetration control requirements. A complete package also includes coordination notes for HVAC, electrical, data, and security systems, plus testing or verification criteria aligned with the project’s EMSEC requirements.
Penetrations are planned and controlled because every cable, pipe, duct, or conduit can create a leakage path. TEMPEST shielding design typically defines approved penetration methods and interface requirements so the shielding envelope remains continuous. Good penetration planning reduces rework and improves verification outcomes.
We coordinate TEMPEST shielding requirements with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and low-voltage trades so routing, sleeves, and interface methods are defined before installation. This coordination reduces conflicts and helps prevent “field fixes” that can compromise shielding performance.
TEMPEST projects often require doors that maintain shielding continuity at a moving interface. Door performance depends on the door leaf, frame, hardware, seals, thresholds, and how the assembly is installed. Door coordination is a key part of achieving reliable verification results.
TEMPEST shielding can sometimes be implemented in retrofit projects, but feasibility depends on existing construction, penetrations, and constraints. Retrofit TEMPEST work typically starts with field verification and a practical plan for doors, seams, terminations, and MEP interfaces.
Verification depends on the program requirements and the project’s acceptance criteria. TEMPEST-related verification may include testing methods that evaluate shielding effectiveness and the integrity of interfaces and penetrations. We help define verification requirements and support the process so the installed construction matches the intended performance.
Let's Work Together
We’ll partner with you to deliver straightforward, effective, and customizable RF/EMI shielding solutions for ICD-705 environments—helping your team reduce risk, avoid rework, and deliver a secure space that performs as designed and clears verification the first time.
