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Sound Masking Can Boost Information Security

Facility executives who worry that computers can compromise information security should be wary of a low-tech source for leaks of business secrets: the private office. Most enclosed offices are anything but soundproof. In fact, it's common for people outside the door to be able to understand what's being said inside.

"Private offices aren't private," says Fred Folsom, executive vice president of Dynasound. "Most of them provide very poor speech privacy. A wide Range of sensitive corporate information can be compromised. Most people do not realize that."

Among the reasons for the poor acoustical performance: walls that stop at the ceiling line and common air plenums.

So where does that leave existing enclosed spaces, from boardrooms to doctors' offices, when it comes to confidential privacy: "Generally, it can be readily done." Says Kring Herbert, principal of Ostergaard Acoustical Associates. "It just has to be properly engineered."

Often, a key to protecting confidential conversations in both new and existing private offices is sound masking. Masking sound - in conjunction with other measures to address the acoustical quality of wall and ceiling construction - renders conversations unintelligible. People outside the office can still hear voices but can't distinguish the words that are being said.

The realities of construction budgets are among the reasons sound masking is assuming and important role in achieving confidential privacy. "People can't afford to build walls that have absolute soundproofing capabilities," says Nicklas Moeller. "It costs less to build with sound masking than to build private offices to the standard needed for acoustical privacy."

Sound masking can also be important when demountable wall systems are used. The new administration building nearing completion at Boston College is designed for flexibility, with an under floor air system and demountable walls. The wall system has an STC, or sound transmission class, rating of 35. That's good, but not good enough for confidential privacy. To get that, and above-ceiling sound masking system is being used.

"They will get confidential privacy," says Herbert. "And the uniformity of background sound across the space will allow them to have good flexibility in moving walls."