SCIF

noun

plural SCIFs
: a specially designed and secure room or enclosure in which highly classified government documents can be viewed by authorized personnel
The most commonly known SCIF is one of the most secured rooms within the White House—The Situation Room.Chandelis Duster
There are thousands of SCIFs in Washington and beyond, tucked into federal buildings, military installations, embassies and government contracting offices. They can range from phonebooth-sized rooms to entire floors of buildings.Derek Hawkins et al.

called also sensitive compartmented information facility

Examples of SCIF in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
One government official demanded midway through the demo that the rest of it be conducted inside a SCIF, a secure government facility where classified information could be discussed. Byron Tau, WIRED, 27 Feb. 2024 The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence helped organize the panel as part of the committee's Beyond the SCIF events series. Alex Thomas, arkansasonline.com, 17 Dec. 2023 Last month, Cannon issued a protective order over the classified information central to the case, clearing the way for the special counsel to begin providing classified discovery materials to Trump and his lawyers to review in a SCIF. Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2023 On multiple occasions last month, he was allegedly observed taking notes on a piece of paper of classified information at his desk in the SCIF. Luke Barr, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023 The judge said that classified material, including sensitive information discussed with Trump, must be confined to an accredited SCIF or other location authorized by the security officer. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 13 Sep. 2023 His attorneys said Trump wouldn’t view the classified materials at this SCIF — only discuss them. Perry Stein, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2023 Each night, sensitive materials must be returned to a secure SCIF. WIRED, 3 Feb. 2023 In general, classified information needs to be housed in what is known as a sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF), which has appropriate controls to ensure security. Glenn Kessler, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

sensitive compartmented information facility

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of SCIF was in 1981

Dictionary Entries Near SCIF

Cite this Entry

“SCIF.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/SCIF. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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