Was this page helpful?

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Program

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) is information about certain intelligence sources and methods and can include information pertaining to sensitive collection systems, analytical processing, and targeting, or which is derived from it. Access to SCI is only granted to individuals who have a need-to-know, have been granted a Top Secret clearance by Personnel Security (PerSec), and are approved by the Department of Commerce’s Intelligence Community granting agency, and only upon completion of a separate Nondisclosure Agreement, the IC Form 4414.

Information that has been determined to be SCI may only be stored and used in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). SCIFs have specific construction requirements, and their subsequent accreditation is separate from those for Controlled Areas and is coordinated by the Department’s Special Security Officer (SSO).

InfoSec Program personnel process incoming and outgoing Visit Access Requests (VAR) for individuals with SCI who will be attending meetings or other events at that level. Within the Department of Commerce’s Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB), VARs for Secret and Top Secret requests are handled by the Security Servicing Center and outside of the building, by an operating unit’s Client Security Services Division (CSSD) field office.


Special Security Officer

The Department of Commerce Special Security Officer (SSO) is responsible for management of the Department's Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) programs. SCI and/or Special Access Program (SAP) mission requirements shall be coordinated with the SSO by the operating unit identifying the access need.

Appointed Special Security Representatives (SSR) are delegated Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) management responsibilities, and coordinate directly with the SSO on matters related to SCIF administration, operations and compliance as appropriate. 

Questions regarding the SSO functions, the SCI program or determining SCI access requirements may be sent to: [email protected]

Due to the sensitive nature of the program, e-mails will only be responded to which originate from addresses which end in .gov or .mil. Additionally, please do not include Personally Identifiable Information (PII) about yourself or others in messages to this mailbox.


Access to SCI

For more information on access to SCI, please visit the Personnel Security page, Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).


Resources