NATIONAL SECURITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 16, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: November 15, 1979
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT (O/DCi)
Routing Slip
TO: I I ? II ACTION INFO I DATE I INITIAL
i i I DCI I x 1
Re last pars, PD/NSC-24 dated 16 Nov 77 concerns
Telecommunication Protection Policy.~ 167
.19 Nov 79
Dot.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
F-QoIII>C Ya+y ?w~
THE WHITE HOUSE ?,~
WASHINGTON
November 15, 1979
Presidential Directive/NSC-53
TO: The Vice President
The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
ALSO: The Attorney General
The Secretary of Commerce
The Secretary of Transportation
The Secretary of Energy
The Director, Office of Management & Budget
The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Director of Central Intelligence
The Assistant to the President for Domestic
Affairs & Policy
The Director, Office of Science & Technology
Policy
The Administrator, General Services
Administration
The Director, Federal Emergency Management
Agency
SUBJECT: National Security Telecommunications Policy 0
I have reviewed the report of the National Communications System
on the need for a national security telecommunications policy.
It is essential to the security of the United States to have
telecommunications facilities adequate to satisfy the needs of
the nation during and after any national emergency. This is
required in order to gather intelligence, conduct diplomacy,
command and control military forces,'provide continuity of
essential functions of government, and to reconstitute the
political, economic, and social structure of the nation. More-
over, a survivable communications system is a necessary component
of our deterrent posture for defense. In support of national
security policy, the nation's telecommunications must provide
for:
-- Connectivity between the National Command Authority
and strategic and other appropriate forces to support
flexible execution of retaliatory strikes during and
after an enemy nuclear attack.
-- Responsive support for operational control of the
armed forces, even during a protracted nuclear conflict.
-- Support of military mobilization in all circumstances.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
-- Support for the vital functions of worldwide intelli-
gence collection and diplomatic affairs.
-- Continuity of government during and after a nuclear
war or natural disaster.
-- Recovery of the nation during and after a nuclear war
or natural disaster.
In order to achieve adequate capabilities for these objectives,
the following principles are established as national security
telecommunications policy:
-- National security and continuity of government telecom-
munications requirements have priority in restoration
of services and facilities in national emergencies.
-- To the maximum extent feasible, interstate common
carrier networks, including specialized common car-
riers and domestic satellite carriers, should be
interconnected and capable of interoperation in
emergencies at breakout points ouside of likely
target areas.
The National Communications System will make available
information necessary to allow interstate common car-
riers to locate backbone facilities, where possible,
outside of likely target areas.
Functionally similar government telecommunications
networks shall be capable of interchange of traffic
in emergencies.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination
with the National Communications System, shall plan for
emergency use of industry.private line communications
that have significant capabilities (e.g., pipeline,
railroad, and airline).
There must be a capability to manage the restoration
and reconstitution of the national telecommunications
system'following an emergency.
The National Communications System will consult with
the Federal Communications Commission on implementing
these principles and will place substantial reliance
upon the private sector for advice and assistance in
achieving national security and preparedness goals.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6
The National Communications System will amend and revise these
principles as security needs dictate and submit them to the
Special Coordination Committee for approval, as required by
E.O. 12046.
Nothing in this directive amends or contravenes Presidential
Directive/NSC-24.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/16: CIA-RDP10M02313R000704030001-6