​​RF and acoustic performance deficiencies in SCIF and SAPF environments are rarely visible—and are often not discovered until final testing, when corrective action is most costly and disruptive.

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Sentinel Secure Build provides construction-phase diagnostic testing, targeted remediation engineering, and verification testing to ensure that performance is not assumed, but measured, corrected, and confirmed. By integrating a structured test → diagnose → remediate → retest process during construction, Sentinel enables project teams to identify deficiencies early, implement precise corrective actions, and proceed to accreditation with confidence in the installed system.

 

RF Diagnostic Testing

Sentinel performs whole-enclosure RF attenuation testing to evaluate the shielding effectiveness of the secure boundary as a complete system.

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Testing is conducted after the enclosure is established—including shielding systems, penetrations, doors, and mechanical interfaces—and prior to closure of critical assemblies.

This testing approach is structured to align with IEEE 299 measurement principles, while incorporating considerations consistent with TEMPEST evaluation practices and NSA 94-106 guidance for shielding performance and emanations control.

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Methodology

• Controlled RF signals are introduced external to the enclosure

• Signal levels are measured within the secure space

• Attenuation is calculated across relevant frequency ranges

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Testing methodologies are aligned with IEEE 299, with procedures and measurement approaches informed by TEMPEST evaluation frameworks to ensure results are meaningful within secure facility performance expectations.

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Diagnostic Analysis and Leakage Localization

When enclosure-level testing identifies abnormal signal levels or frequency-specific attenuation deficiencies, Sentinel performs targeted diagnostic analysis to isolate leakage sources with precision.

 

This phase utilizes near-field probing and localized RF measurements along the shield boundary to identify discontinuities in shielding integrity. Near-field probes measure RF energy directly at seams, penetrations, and interfaces—locations where shielding performance is most susceptible to degradation.

 

By introducing controlled RF signals external to the enclosure and scanning the interior boundary, Sentinel identifies localized leakage paths that may not be apparent during whole-room attenuation testing.

 

Areas examined during diagnostic testing include:

 

• Seams between shielding panels or foil assemblies

• Conduit penetrations and cable entry points

• Cable tray and pipe penetrations through shielded walls

• Grounding and bonding interfaces within the shield system

• Door frames, door leaf interfaces, and conductive gasketing

• Waveguide vents and mechanical interface points

• Equipment mounting interfaces attached to the shield boundary

• Transitions between shielding assemblies and structural framing

 

Even minor discontinuities in electrical continuity at these locations can significantly degrade shielding effectiveness despite visually complete installations.

 

Near-field diagnostics enable precise isolation of deficiencies, allowing the construction team to implement targeted corrective actions rather than broad exploratory demolition. In many cases, this approach reduces remediation to localized adjustments instead of large-scale reconstruction of the shield boundary.

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Diagnostic Acoustic Testing & Flanking Path Analysis

In parallel with RF containment verification, Sentinel performs construction-phase acoustic testing to confirm that the enclosure provides adequate speech containment.

 

Acoustic performance is a critical security requirement, as sound transmission through walls, ceilings, doors, or mechanical systems can allow sensitive conversations to be unintentionally monitored outside the secure space.

 

Testing is conducted after the primary enclosure boundary is complete and prior to interior finishes, ensuring that all critical assemblies remain accessible for corrective action if required.

 

Acoustic verification testing evaluates potential sound transmission through:

• Wall and ceiling assemblies forming the secure boundary

• Door assemblies and door seal performance

• Mechanical duct paths connected to the secure enclosure

• Conduit or penetration pathways that may allow sound transmission

• Structural interfaces that may create acoustic flanking paths

 

Acoustic deficiencies commonly arise from flanking paths, where sound bypasses the primary barrier through structural or mechanical routes. These conditions can significantly reduce effective isolation even when wall assemblies meet design expectations.

 

By performing acoustic verification during construction, Sentinel enables early identification and correction of these issues, minimizing the cost, disruption, and schedule impact associated with post-construction remediation.