The Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 establishes the policy and requirements for constructing secure facilities; these guidelines are used to protect our nation’s most valuable assets. Knowledge of these guidelines and how to apply them is key to combating the risks to the assets you are charged with protecting.
What is ICD 705?
The Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705, the associated standards (ICS-705-1 and ICS-705-2), and the ICD/ICS 705 Technical Specifications are the foundation for the construction of secure facilities. These documents outline how to protect Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) by establishing uniform IC physical and technical security requirements. They also foster efficient, consistent, and reciprocal use of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) within the Intelligence Community (IC) and often other government agencies. These requirements apply to all IC facilities where SCI is processed, stored, used, or discussed, but are often adopted as the standard for agencies outside of the IC as well.
Threats historically seen as limited to the government are now encroaching into the commercial sector, as seen in major attacks on corporate data and assets over the last few years. The ICD 705 guidelines can be used to mitigate similar threats to protect commercial and corporate assets as determined by a risk assessment.
About Anser Advisory's ICD 705+ Training
In supporting clients undertaking these efforts, we recognize some of the challenges they face. Using our experience in SCIF construction, Anser Advisory offers comprehensive ICD 705+ training that provides learners with an understanding of requirements and how to best plan, program, design, and construct SCIFs for accreditation.
There are no prerequisites for this course. Due to the nature of the course information, we are limiting attendees to US citizens. We provide an interactive class with case studies, knowledge checks, group activities, and a final exam. For upcoming course dates, please visit our registration site here.
Anser Advisory's ICD 705+ Training Provides Bonus Modules
The course also delivers additional modules on best practices for construction surveillance and contracting beyond general ICD 705 courses. These modules address some of the common pitfalls that may cause a project to go over budget and/or beyond the schedule. This information is not part of the ICD 705 documents or the typical training curriculum, which is why our training offers a “+” at the end of the name.
Yes, There Will Be a Test!
To ensure that you understand the information presented, there will be an exam at the end of the course. Those who successfully score an 80% or higher will receive a certificate of completion.
Who Should Attend
This course is suited best for government and private industry professionals involved in the planning, inspection, construction oversight, and/or accreditation of secure facilities. Participants gain an understanding of ICD 705 requirements and how to best apply them to the design and construction of a space to achieve accreditation.
What Our Participants Are Saying
Owners and managers from across the industry see the value in ICD 705 training for their security, IT, and construction professionals. One manager commented that his team ran into conflicts with every SCIF project. As a result, he wanted his team to have first-hand (technical) education from an experienced and formal ICD 705 instructional group. He wanted his people to learn what is required for SCIF projects, how to make decisions on their own, and if needed, develop mitigation strategies with the Accrediting Officer (AO) instead of relying on the AO to be the sole subject matter expert.
Those taking the class have expressed seeing immediate benefits from taking the course:
"The breadth of information presented and discussed allowed students to understand the policies, requirements, processes, and actions needed to take on our project from any aspect or role that we would be involved in." — Learner (September 2021)
"I came into this class not knowing a lot about ICD 705 and now I am pretty confident tackling my current and future projects with security." — Learner (September 2021)
“…I am involved with initial planning, designs, contracting, execution, construction, and accreditation. The aspect of understanding the specific specs vs. real-life references and discussions helped the most because every situation is dynamic. Having the detailed understanding of the specs and roles while knowing there are sometimes other considerations will help me tremendously in the future.” — Learner (June 2022)
Meet the Instructor
Jennifer Holcomb, PE, PMP®, PSP, CPP, CPD currently serves as Security Solution Lead for Anser Advisory. She is charged with managing the firm’s security consulting services. Jennifer has spent over 20 years overseeing complex security missions across the country for state, municipal, federal, and private organizations and has more than 11 years of experience overseeing construction and renovation in SCIFs.
Enroll in an upcoming ICD 705+ session and reserve your seat! If you have any questions about the course, feel free to contact us and our training team will be happy to help you.
About Anser Advisory
Anser Advisory is an ENR Top 50 Program Management firm, and Great Place to Work® designated 2021 Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services™, specializing in capital program advisory and consulting services, organization preparedness, strategy, funding, process development, program controls and project, program, and agency construction management. Anser Advisory offers clients solutions that address owner pain points across the capital development cycle from pre-planning through construction and closeout within a diverse range of social and civil infrastructure end markets.
About the Author
Jennifer Holcomb, PE, PMP®, PSP, CPP, CPD
Jennifer is a Vice President and Senior Technical Expert at Anser Advisory with the responsibility of identifying, standardizing, and delivering industry-leading security consulting services for the firm. She has spent more than 20 years overseeing complex security missions across the country for state, municipal, federal, and private organizations. As both a senior security professional and project manager, she is routinely sought after to advise, assess, and provide security services to multiple military and federal facilities, state and municipal facilities, and private industry and commercial facilities across the country.
She additionally serves on the ASCE 59 "Blast Protection of Buildings" Standards Committee and has served on the ASIS technical committee to update Active Assailant standards. She authored Chapter 7, Security Architecture and Engineering in the ASIS Physical Security Principles book (2015) and serves as a director on the ASIS International Professional Standards Board. She routinely facilitates security training for corporate clients and professional industry associations. She is a frequent keynote speaker at industry events and conferences, such as the Global Security Exchange (GSX).
Jennifer is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), certified Project Management Professional (PMP)®, certified Physical Security Professional (PSP), Certified Protection Professional (CPP), and holds the "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design" Professional Designation (CPD) from the National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP).