Balancing privacy for classified work with communal spaces that encourage employee interaction

Cyber Security Office Design

Unlike many post-pandemic offices, our cyber security client required all employees to be in-office due to the classified nature of their work for the US federal government. This type of work also requires a high ratio of enclosed offices to maintain privacy, which limits open space and visual transparency. It also poses challenges in creating a cohesive, welcoming environment and complicates wayfinding. They reached out to our Workplace and Office team to help update their space.

Our designers set out to develop a workplace that upheld necessary levels of privacy while still providing a space that would encourage spontaneous interactions among employees. We leveraged our specialized knowledge of secure compartmental information facility (SCIF) design and security protocols to create offices and support spaces that adhere to high standards of protection for sensitive information. For communal areas, we focused on strategic placement of amenities to encourage interactions between employees and incorporated variations in color scheme density to aid in wayfinding. Additionally, we located amenities where views outside and access to roof terraces offer breaks from focused tasks.

Now settled into their refreshed office, our client and their employees enjoy a secure yet welcoming workplace.