Is SCI required to be stored in a GSA-approved container?

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) does not need to be stored in a GSA-approved container under all circumstances. The regulation governing the handling and storage of SCI allows for flexibility depending on the specific circumstances. While specific guidelines suggest that sensitive information should be stored securely, the requirement to use a General Services Administration (GSA)-approved container is not absolute in every situation.

For instance, there are scenarios where certain types of SCI can be managed in other secure means, provided that they comply with the necessary security protocols established by appropriate authorities. Certain facilities or environments may have alternate security measures that can effectively secure SCI without adhering strictly to GSA container requirements.

This flexibility acknowledges that the secure storage of information can be achieved through various methods, tailored to specific operational needs and environments as long as they meet the baseline security criteria for sensitive information, rather than binding every situation to a rigid standard of using GSA-approved containers.