March 30, 2026

Our Educational Seminar provided attendees with the latest advancements in secure facility design.

The SCIF Summit 2.0 event was a gathering of industry leaders and innovators for a dynamic exchange of ideas and knowledge. A summary of the key takeaways that made this seminar an informative experience is provided below.

Arium AE (SCIF Design Expert) and Davis Construction (SCIF Construction Expert) were thrilled to host once again an exclusive educational seminar focusing on SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility).

On March 19, over 100 industry professionals met at the Archer Hotel in Tysons, Virginia, for an engaging day of networking, learning, and fantastic food and drink. This invite-only event featured the region’s top industry professionals exchanging knowledge on the latest advancements in TEMPEST shielding and emerging radio frequency threats.

Here are the topics covered.

Static Control as Infrastructure in SCIF Environments

Dave Long, President of StaticWorx, shared essential knowledge on static controlled environments and risk assessment. In mission-critical environments such as SCIFs, data centers, and secure operations facilities, electrostatic discharge (ESD) control is often approached as a checklist item: specify a conductive floor, verify resistance, and assume the system will perform as intended. But in mission-critical environments, performance depends on more than specifications. It depends on how the system behaves under the conditions that actually occur. When grounding protocols break down, and they inevitably will, the difference between flooring systems becomes clear. Some depend on ideal behavior, while others are designed for reality. Participants learned that the distinction between the two is foundational to long-term performance and risk management in SCIF and high-reality environments.

Attenuating Window Films

Presented by Eric Kuczynski of Signals Defense, this session offered participants a comprehensive understanding of common challenges associated with secure windows. The presentation addressed various requirements for windows, including Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings, Noise Isolation Class (NIC) ratings, radio frequency interference, bullet resistance, blast resistance, vestibule configurations, and supporting wall construction. By exploring the layered requirements of one of the most complex components of a SCIF and identifying common field failures, the audience gained valuable insights into best practices for secure window design. Signals Defense’s patented window technology is designed to meet the stringent security requirements of the U.S. Intelligence Community for facilities that handle classified information.

Shielding Effectiveness Testing

This session was led by Jeff Salamon of Rohde & Schwarz and Jim Starr of Houston-Starr Doors. Participants gained a deeper understanding of various security and testing solutions. Shielding Effectiveness (SE) testing for SCIF doors verifies that the door assembly provides the required radio frequency (RF) and electromagnetic (EM) attenuation to protect sensitive information. As a common vulnerability point in a SCIF, the door is tested in accordance with standards such as ICD 705 to ensure proper performance when fully installed and sealed. This includes evaluating gasketing, bonding, and hardware to prevent signal leakage. Participants learned how successful testing confirms the door meets required attenuation levels and supports overall SCIF accreditation.

Q&A Session

Following the presentations, industry experts Brian Frels and Scott Walthour of Arium AE, and Dustin Hoffman of Davis Construction, engaged in a discussion with attendees, offering insights into the evolving SCIF landscape and design best practices. Their insights provided guests with a unique perspective on navigating industry trends and best practices, sparking valuable conversations.

Lunch, Happy Hour & Networking

We concluded the day with lunch, drinks, and networking opportunities. We were also delighted to give away numerous great door prizes. The seminar was a tremendous success, and we are grateful to all our participants and speakers for making this event possible.

“The focus on shielding effectiveness, door integration, and cross-discipline coordination was exactly the level of technical insight this market needs,” said attendee.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, including H&B Engineered Products, Hobbs & Associates, Houston-Starr Doors, Secom, Signals Defense, and Surface Solutions. Your support is vital to bringing together industry professionals and advancing SCIF design and security.

If you’d like to learn more about secure space design or have a project you’d like to discuss, please contact Brian Frels, Scott Walthour, or Stephanie Bounds Nunn, or call 410-730-2300. Arium AE’s team is available and ready to help you.