Federal agencies, military installations, and government contractors face persistent physical threats ranging from espionage to sabotage. Protecting classified information, critical infrastructure, and sensitive facilities requires physical security solutions that meet or exceed federal standards for high-security applications. In this environment, even seemingly simple devices like door contacts play a crucial role. Magnasphere’s magnetic security contacts deliver the performance, reliability, and compliance required for these environments, which is why they are trusted by U.S. government and military agencies across a wide range of applications.

The threat model: covert entry and insider threats

Unlike common burglary or vandalism scenarios, government and military facilities face advanced adversaries capable of covert entry techniques. Covert attacks attempt to bypass or defeat sensors without triggering alarms, often through sophisticated manipulation of magnetic fields. The goal may be physical entry into secure spaces, access to classified materials, or insertion of sabotage devices.

Standard reed switch-based magnetic contacts are highly vulnerable to magnetic manipulation. Attackers can apply external magnets to hold the reed switch closed while physically opening the protected door or panel, defeating the contact without triggering the alarm system. This bypass technique is widely known and easily executed, making legacy security contacts unsuitable for true high-security environments.

In addition to covert attacks, these facilities also face insider threats. Physical security systems must account for the possibility of an authorized person attempting to bypass systems without detection. This increases the importance of tamper-resistant, independently verified sensors that meet federal security standards.

UL 634 Level 2: The federal benchmark

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard 634 defines the requirements for high-security contacts used in government and defense applications. UL 634 Level 2 is the highest level of certification for non-resistive magnetic security contacts. This standard specifically addresses vulnerabilities to physical attack, magnetic manipulation, and electrical bypass.

Magnasphere’s high-security sensors are fully UL 634 Level 2 listed. This independent certification verifies that Magnasphere contacts resist external magnetic fields, tampering, and manipulation techniques that would defeat standard reed switches. The contacts also meet Department of Defense ICD-705 (DoD) requirements for use in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), Controlled Access Areas (CAAs), and other highly controlled environments.

Magnasphere’s patented technology

Magnasphere’s technology replaces the fragile reed switch of traditional contacts with a solid-state magnetic sphere and sealed housing. This patented design eliminates the vulnerabilities of reed switches while increasing durability and longevity.

Key advantages include:

  • Magnetic immunity: External magnets cannot bypass or hold Magnasphere contacts in a closed state. The sphere’s design requires precise alignment and field strength to activate, making external manipulation virtually impossible.
  • Tamper resistance: The sealed design prevents mechanical tampering or physical defeat of the contact components.
  • Environmental durability: Magnasphere security contacts operate reliably across extreme temperatures, humidity, and environmental conditions without degradation in sensitivity or performance.
  • Long operational life: With no mechanical reed contacts to wear out or corrode, Magnasphere switches offer long-term stability and reduced maintenance cycles.
Government and military applications

Magnasphere’s high-security door contacts are deployed across federal agencies, military installations, defense contractors, and classified program facilities. Applications include:

  • SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities): Entry doors and access points are protected against both forced and covert entry attempts, ensuring compliance with ICD 705 and DoD security guidelines.
  • Secure armories and weapon storage: Tamper-resistant security contacts monitor weapon vaults and restricted arms rooms, protecting controlled inventories.
  • Data centers: Federal and defense data centers utilize Magnasphere security contacts on server room doors and sensitive equipment enclosures to prevent physical breaches that could compromise national security information.
  • Utility and energy infrastructure: Government-operated critical infrastructure sites, including power substations and energy control facilities, employ Magnasphere security contacts to enhance building security against physical intrusion.
Why integrators and specifiers choose Magnasphere

For security integrators, specifying Magnasphere simplifies compliance with federal standards and reduces long-term service issues. The sensors integrate easily with standard intrusion detection systems, access control platforms, and government-approved alarm monitoring systems.

Key benefits for integrators include:

  • Simplified UL 634 Level 2 compliance for government contracts
  • Reduced false alarms due to superior stability in varying environmental conditions
  • Elimination of magnetic manipulation concerns during site assessments
  • Lower service costs from extended sensor lifespan and high reliability

Government and military security environments demand certified, tamper-resistant security contacts that perform flawlessly under threat of covert attack. Magnasphere’s UL 634 Level 2 listed technology directly addresses these challenges, providing integrators, specifiers, and federal procurement officers with a trusted solution for securing the nation’s most sensitive assets.