Find answers to common questions about physical shielding, installation processes, certifications, and project requirements.
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Physical shielding, also known as electromagnetic shielding or RF shielding, is the practice of surrounding sensitive equipment or spaces with conductive materials to block electromagnetic fields. The conductive barrier reflects or absorbs electromagnetic radiation, preventing it from entering or leaving the protected area. This works on the same principle as a Faraday cage, but on an architectural scale for buildings and rooms.
RF shielding protects against Radio Frequency interference and signals in the MHz to GHz range, typically used for communications security and data protection. EMP hardening provides protection against High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse attacks, which include a much broader spectrum of energy including E1 (fast), E2 (intermediate), and E3 (slow) components. EMP hardening requires thicker shielding, specialized materials, and often hardened power filtration systems.
Shielding costs vary significantly based on several factors: the size of the area to be protected, the level of attenuation required (40dB vs 80dB+), the type of materials used, accessibility of the site, and whether it's new construction or retrofit. Basic RF shielding for a small room may start around $15,000-25,000, while comprehensive EMP hardening for a large facility can range from $500,000 to several million dollars. We provide detailed quotes after a site assessment.
Project timelines depend on scope and complexity. A standard SCIF retrofit for an existing room (500-2,000 sq ft) typically takes 4-8 weeks from contract to completion. New construction projects allow for better planning and may take 8-16 weeks. Large-scale facilities or EMP-hardened structures can take 6-12 months or longer. We maintain 48-hour crew deployment capability for urgent requirements.
Required attenuation depends on your threat environment and compliance requirements. Standard TEMPEST requirements typically specify 40-60 dB attenuation. NSA-certified SCIFs often require 60-80 dB. EMP hardening for critical infrastructure may require 80-100 dB or higher. For reference: 40 dB reduces signal by 99.99%, while 60 dB reduces it by 99.9999%. We conduct site assessments to determine optimal specifications.
We use a variety of military-grade materials selected for specific applications:
Our shielding systems provide comprehensive protection from 10 kHz to 40 GHz and beyond. This covers VLF through EHF frequencies including AM radio (530-1700 kHz), FM radio (88-108 MHz), cellular (700 MHz - 5 GHz), WiFi (2.4/5/6 GHz), satellite communications (12-40 GHz), and mmWave 5G (24-40 GHz). For specific frequency requirements outside this range, we offer custom solutions.
Penetration continuity is critical for effective shielding. We provide specialized products for all penetrations: RF-shielded doors with compression gasket seals, conductive window mesh or coated glass for vision panels, filtered conduit entries for cables and pipes, waveguide arrays for ventilation, and RF gasket solutions for any utility penetrations. Each penetration is individually designed and tested to maintain shielding integrity.
Our installations meet or exceed all relevant international standards:
Yes, we specialize in complete SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) construction. Our services include design consultation, ICD 705 compliance planning, RF shielding installation, acoustic treatment, electrical hardening, access control integration, and NSA/CSS evaluation testing. We have experience with SAPF (Special Access Program Facility) construction and hold necessary facility clearances for classified government work.
Yes, we routinely perform installations in occupied facilities. Our crews are trained to minimize disruption and maintain operational continuity during installation. We can work around your schedule, including nights and weekends, and implement containment measures to prevent any impact on surrounding areas. For critical operations, we can phase the installation to allow continuous functionality.
We provide comprehensive post-installation support including annual inspection and testing services, gasket replacement and door seal maintenance, re-certification testing to IEEE Std 299, real-time monitoring through our AI Portal system, and emergency repair services. Our remote monitoring capabilities can alert you to integrity issues before they become problems.
We maintain a global deployment capability with certified crews in 40+ countries. Our primary operations cover North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, and 10+ additional countries), the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, and regional partners), and Asia Pacific (Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and growing presence). For other regions, we coordinate with local partners to ensure quality installation.
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