The Merge E52 – Top Secret Offices
4 snips
Oct 25, 2025 Sean Blackman, co-founder and CEO of Nooks, shares insights into the world of classified business with the Pentagon. He discusses the innovative concept of Classified-Infrastructure-as-a-Service (CIaaS), which offers subscription access to secure workspaces. Sean delves into the challenges startups face in obtaining security clearances and how Nooks navigates these hurdles. He also explores the impact of COVID on real estate, the advantages of shared SCIFs, and his vision for a streamlined classified network by 2028.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Distributed Workforces Break Old SCIF Model
- Even companies with one SCIF still hand-carry classified material across the country due to distributed workforces.
- The historic one-company SCIF model didn't scale as the cleared population grew to millions.
Get FCL Help And Attend Briefs
- Use expert help to navigate the FCL process once you have sponsorship and automate where possible.
- Attend FCL 101 briefings to understand terminology and required steps before building classified strategy.
Begin FCL Sponsorship Early
- Start the FCL (company clearance) process early if your work might go classified.
- Encourage sponsors to submit sponsorship now rather than waiting until contracts finalize.