Residential SCIFs for Elected Officials: Stay Compliant Without the Commute
There is a growing push for elected officials to build residential SCIFs in their homes—but a less disruptive option exists, and it doesn’t require a renovation or scrimp on security.
The JAMS facility can function as a standalone residential SCIF when placed inside of a home garage.
Bad actors have historically posed lower threat levels in the continental U.S. But in recent years, there has been a shift as America’s adversaries and their attack methods have grown more sophisticated. Amid this higher threat level, it is more important than ever before that officials who engage with classified information do so in secure environments.
For elected officials whose work involves matters of national security, it’s essential that they have the ability to review sensitive communications quickly and without risking breaches. Their work doesn’t stop at the office, which means they need a way to securely access sensitive information even while at home. Accessing classified information outside of a secure space is not worth the risk—and no, speaking quietly doesn’t qualify as a form of high security
So how can elected officials ensure that they have the setup they need at home? Building SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities) inside their houses is one answer, though this solution is rarely implemented because it can be costly and disruptive. Luckily, there is now another option that is less invasive, easily transportable, and meets all ICD 705 requirements: the Joint Airlift Micro SCIF (JAMS), a product that didn’t exist prior to January 2025.
The Problems With Building Residential SCIFs
Many elected officials—including governors, select U.S. senators, and some members of Congress—conduct work that requires access to classified information about potential threats at the local, national, and international levels. Since that information can arrive at any time of day or night with little or no notice, those without residential SCIFs often have to choose between risking security to access updates or waiting until they travel to a secure facility to receive the latest intel.
Deciding to build a residential SCIF is like embarking on a renovation project: It’ll take time, and as the project is underway, there will be disruption to home life, loss of square footage, and lots of dust. Making this kind of permanent change to a home is a huge commitment for elected officials who have no way of knowing for sure if they’ll win their next election, or how long they’ll serve on committees that require them to engage with sensitive information. SCIFs built into private residences also bring up complicated questions about how they are to be funded, and to what extent (if at all) the government will provide construction cost reimbursement.
Joint Airlift Micro SCIFs (JAMS) provide enough secure space for two workstations and can fit inside a residential garage. They just need to be connected to power and comms.
An Easy Solution to Residential SCIFs
For governors, senators, and other elected officials who need an ICD 705–compliant facility in or near their homes, the answer is simple: JAMS. Introduced earlier this year by Universal Modular Inc. (UMI) in partnership with Highland Engineering, Inc., JAMS is a fully accreditable SCIF that can be transported easily—and, since each unit is roughly the size of a two-person sauna, it’s small enough to fit inside a residential garage.
The government can own or lease a JAMS facility and relocate it as needed. This means that if someone is elected to a position in which they need the ability to access secure materials in their home, the government can buy a JAMS unit and have it delivered to their residence. And if that official loses their committee assignment or their next election? The JAMS facility can be easily relocated to the home of their replacement, since it never needs to be physically affixed to any private residence.
Opting for a JAMS facility instead of building a SCIF inside a home avoids the hassle of construction and quashes the debate over who will cover the associated costs. It also eliminates the delays involved with waiting for a residential SCIF to be built—in fact, once a JAMS facility has been delivered, it can be operational in just 10 minutes.
In addition to their high portability, JAMS units are ATTLA-certified for air transport and meet all ICD 705 requirements. JAMS can achieve over 100dB of radio frequency (RF) shielding and acoustic protection levels of sound transmission class (STC) 50 without sound masking—marks that are extremely difficult to reach. Each JAMS facility houses a mini split HVAC and is outfitted with all necessary data and communications wiring.
Every JAMS unit weighs under 4,400 pounds (which means moving one only requires the use of a small forklift) and is 108” by 88” by 90” in size (which totals about 40 usable square feet, or enough space to fit two small workstations).
UMI can handle the transportation and redeployment of JAMS facilities, and they can maintain and store them when they are not in use. If you or someone you know has a need for a residential SCIF and is interested in learning about an alternative that meets all ICD 705 requirements, reach out to us to learn more about JAMS or to get started on a quote.