BASE ACCESS AND SECURITY

The classified breakout sessions taking place at NIWC have reached capacity. The unclassified sessions at the Charleston Area Convention Center, which take place concurrently, are still available and included with your registration. The below information only pertains to the optional classified sessions taking place at NIWC.

Base Access

Visitors without a CAC

Visitors without a CAC had to be pre-vetted through Joint Base Charleston (JB CHS) for base access prior to NIWC. A retiree ID or dependent ID will not work for access.

Your name will be on an IAL base access list. You will be able to proceed through Gate 4 and let the guards know that you are on the IAL for an event at the NIWC Conference Center.

Visitors with a CAC

Visitors who have a CAC can proceed directly through Gate 4.

Passing Security Clearances

The deadline has passed to send your security clearance to NIWC. To confirm the receipt of your VAR, call the NIWC security office at 843-218-6886 and reference DoD SAP IT Summit.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited in NIWC facilities. Please secure any of these items outside of the building in your personal vehicle.

  • All wireless and/or Bluetooth devices & peripherals
  • Cell phones, smart-watches, Fitbits, fitness trackers, medical devices – anything that is Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth enabled
  • Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs)
  • Audio/voice & video recorders/cameras
  • Classified and Unclassified IT (unless approved ISSM via a cybersecurity deviation) – this includes UNCLASS work laptops
  • Personal Bags, computer bags, purses, etc.
  • Note taking is prohibited – If individuals were to take notes they must be reviewed by a SME for classified information. If notes contain classified information, they must be marked as working papers and handled as such.
  • Items stored immediately outside the venue must be powered off

FAQs for JB Charleston and NIWC

  • Can I take an Uber, rideshare, or taxi to the base?
    • Ubers will not be allowed past the gate. If you use an Uber/rideshare service, you must have someone available to pick you up at the gate to get you to the conference center.
  • Can I carpool or ride along with someone else to get onto base?
    • Yes, you can. Please make sure that all passengers in the vehicle either have CACs or are on the IAL for base access. Only attendees registered to participate in their specific assigned day will be allowed access to the conference center.
  • I signed up for the breakout sessions on Tuesday, but now I would like to switch to Wednesday, can I make that change?
    • Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate date changes. Due to the complexity of such a large group, passing clearances, and content being repeated, we can only accommodate the exact registrants for each day. Unclassified sessions are still available at the convention center, and you are welcome to attend those at any point.
  • Can I take notes during the classified sessions?
    • No, no classified note taking is allowed. The event is not setup to allow for handing and transport of classified materials.

Directions to Conference Center (Bldg. 3112)

You will enter Joint Base Charleston through Gate 4. Use GPS address 1050 or 1060 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406 to get to Gate 4 (please note this is approximate). This address will get you to the building just before Gate 4. Once you go through the gate DO NOT continue to follow your GPS, this is just to get you to the gate which does not have its own address.

Once through the gate, proceed about 1/2 of a mile, and the conference center will be the first building on your right. Parking will be on both sides of Bldg. 3112 and Bldg. 3113. There will also be overflow parking off of Brig Road and 6th Street near Bldg. 3451. There will be a shuttle to Bldg. 3112 in the event we have to utilize the overflow parking. Enter through the north entrance of Building 3112.

NIWC visitor badges will be available in the front of the building on the day you are assigned to attend. You will only have a badge available on the day you have preregistered to attend if you have passed your clearance.  Please do not try to switch days, you will be denied access.

Parking and Base Map

Parking will be located on either side of Building 3112.

NIWC Atlantic parking map