Communique on physical security 2024-003
SDA and SSA/SCIF differences and requirements
On this page
The purpose of this bulletin is to advise Government of Canada (GC) employees of the main differences between a Special Discussion Area (SDA) and a SIGINT Secure Area (SSA)/Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). The RCMP Lead Security Agency (LSA) has recently observed some confusion within the GC Security community of the differences between an SDA and SSA/SCIF. This bulletin is to clarify the main differences between both spaces and to identify which Lead Agency to contact for advice and guidance on your space requirements.
Many GC organizations have a need for an SDA to process and discuss varying levels of information up to Top Secret; however, only a few require a SSA/SCIF. A SCIF is a highly specialized, secure facility that is available to authorized GC organizations that have National Special Centre (NSC) or National SIGINT Risk Authority (NSRA) approval to build a SCIF.
Note: The term “SSA” is being phased out by the GC and the term “SCIF” is being adopted in all related documentation.
Special Discussion Area (SDA)
- An area specially designed and managed to prevent the overhearing of discussions regarding protected and classified information at various levels of sound attenuation.
- Does not have the same stringent security measures or certifications as an SSA/SCIF.
- For SDA construction standards visit the RCMP LSA guidance webpage - GCPSG-017 (2022) refers.
- RCMP LSA Org Email: RCMP.LSA-GRC.POSM@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
- LSA Webpage: Lead Security Agency for Physical Security
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF)
- An accredited facility authorized for receipt, storage, processing, and discussion of SCI.
- Construction standards are more robust versus an SDA to provide greater protection against both covert and forced entry.
- SSA/SCIF construction standards are held by the DND National Special Centre and the CSE SIGINT Security Management Office.
- The SSA/SCIF construction standard is intended for Authorized Organizations (AO) in the federal government that have NSC or NSRA approval to build an SSA/SCIF, and it is distributed through their departmental Compartmented Information Control Officer (COMCO).
- Documentation related to a SCIF or identifying a space as a SCIF is classified SECRET.
- Authorized Organizations or federal government departments interested in obtaining AO status can reach out to CSE at ssmo@cse-cst.gc.ca.
Contact us
Contact the RCMP LSA with your Physical Security inquiries at RCMP LSA Org Email: rcmp.lsa-grc.posm@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or visit the RCMP LSA web page.
- Date modified: