NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY DIRECTIVE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: August 12, 1968
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
-CMFMENU.AL_
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY DIRECTIVE
GROUP-1
Excluded from automatic downgrading and declassification
-COM?TDENTliU,-
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
CONFIDENTIAL
The Special Committee of The National Security Council
For Communication Security Affairs
Washington, D. C. 20506
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHAIRMAN, UNITED STATES COMMUNICATIONS
SECURITY BOARD
SUBJECT: NSC Communications Security Directive
The Special Committee of the National Security Council for Communications Security
Affairs has reviewed your memorandum of June 1968, requesting, on behalf of the United
States Communications Security Board (USCSB), that the Special Committee approve the
USCSB recommendation that the existing NSC 5711, dated 25 April 1957, be replaced by
the proposed NSC Communications Security Directive, approved unanimously by USCSB
on 4 June 1968.
The Special Committee hereby approves the USCSB recommendation. Effective this date,
the NSC Communications Security Directive supersedes NSC 5711.
The President is being advised of this action by copy of this memorandum to the Executive
Secretary of the National Security Council.
bk4A4-fz, Q-A410.\.c4,
Secretary of State
August 26, 1968
2 of 6
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary of Defense
12 August 1968
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
CONFIDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY DIRECTIVE*
26 August 1968
The security of federal telecommunications and the control of compromising emanations are
national responsibilities, and the activities pertaining thereto must be so organized and managed
as to ensure maximum utilization of available resources and to satisfy the requirements of the
National Security Council and the departments and agencies of the Government. To ensure the
coordination of these security activities of the several departments and agencies of the
Government in the interest of national security, specific responsibilities and authorities are
established as prescribed herein.
For the purposes of this Directive, communications security (COMSEC) is concerned with all
measures designed for the security of federal telecommunications, including the control of
compromising emanations from telecommunications systems, while emanations security
(EMSEC) is concerned with the control of compromising emanations from all other sources.
1. The Special Committee of the National Security Council for Communications Security
Affairs
a. The Secretaries of State and Defense are designated as a Special Committee of the
National Security Council for Communications Security Affairs and, in that capacity, shall
establish the policies for the effective coordination of the COMSEC and EMSEC activities of the
Government, and shall keep the President advised through the Executive Secretary of the
National Security Council.
b. The heads of the executive departments and independent agencies not represented on
the Special Committee shall also participate as members whenever matters of direct interest to
their respective departments or agencies are before that Committee.
2. The United States Communications Security Board (USCSB)
a. The United States Communications Security Board (USCSB), hereinafter referred to
as the Board, is established to ensure coordinated and effective national COMSEC and EMSEC
efforts. The Board shall act for and under the aforementioned Special Committee and shall
operate in accordance with this Directive and any other directives that may be issued by the
Special Committee.
b. The Board shall be composed of one representative of each of the following:
(1) The Secretary of State
(2) The Secretary of Treasury
(3) The Secretary of Defense
(4) The Secretary of Transportation
(5) The Secretary of the Army
(6) The Secretary of the Navy
*This Directive supersedes NSC 5711, dated 25 April I 957.
3 of 6
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP891301354R000100050013-2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
CONFIDENTIAL
(7) The Secretary of the Air Force
(8) The Director of Central Intelligence
(9) The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission
(10) The Director of the National Security Agency
(11) The Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
c. Under the authority of the special Committee it shall be the responsibility of the
Board to:
(1) Establish broad COMSEC and EMSEC objectives, policies and procedures
necessary to:
(a) Ensure high and uniform security standards.
(b) Provide guidance to U.S. departments and agencies in their relations with
foreign governments, international organizations, and private industry.
(c) Provide guidance to the Secretary of Defense as the Executive Agent of
the Government for communications security.
(2) Keep the Special Committee informed on significant COMSEC and EMSEC
matters and make recommendations as deemed necessary.
(3) Review every two years the COMSEC and EMSEC status and objectives of all
departments and agencies and make recommendations to each department and agency as
necessary.
(4) Establish a national COMSEC and EMSEC issuance system for promulgating
policies of the Board under the Chairman's signature, and for issuing COMSEC and EMSEC
guidance and information of government-wide interest.
(5) Approve and promulgate definitions unique to COMSEC and EMSEC.
d. The Board shall make recommendations to the Special Committee on Board
membership and shall establish procedures and membership criteria for considering membership
changes.
e. The Board shall elect its own Chairman from among its Members, with tenure as it
determines.
f. The Board shall meet at least annually.
g. The Board shall reach decisions by majority vote. The Director, National Security
Agency shall have no vote in matters involving appeals from his own decision. In the event that
the Board votes and reaches a decision, any dissenting member of the Board may appeal from
such decision. Such appeal must be made within 15 days to the Special Committee. In the event
that the Board votes and fails to reach a decision, any member of the Board may appeal to the
Special Committee and such appeal must be made within 15 days of the inconclusive vote. In
either event, the Special Committee shall review the vote and its determination thereon shall be
final. Appeal by the representative of any component of the Department of Defense shall be filed
only with the approval of the Secretary of Defense.
h. No action shall be taken with respect to any matter forming the subject of an appeal
until the appeal is decided; provided that, if the Secretary of Defense determines, after
consultation with the Secretary of State (and the heads of other executive departments and
independent agencies as appropriate), that the subject matter presents a problem of an emergency
nature and requires immediate action, his decision shall govern, pending the result of the appeal.
4 of 6
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
CONFIDENTIAL
i. The Board shall invite any department or agency not represented to participate in
matters of direct interest to such a department or agency. Such a department or agency may also
request consideration of a matter by the Board.
j. Departments or agencies not represented on the Board may appeal from decisions of
the Board in the manner prescribed for departments and agencies represented on the Board.
3. The Executive Agent of the Government for Communications Security
a. The Secretary of Defense is hereby designated as the Executive Agent of the
Government for Communications Security.
b. As the Executive Agent for Communications Security, the Secretary of Defense is
responsible for the centralized provision of the measures necessary to provide and assure the
adequacy of the COMSEC systems and materials to be used by the departments and agencies of
the Government.
c. As the Executive Agent for Communications Security, the Secretary of Defense is
empowered to take action within the policies and procedures established by the Board in all
COMSEC matters affecting the departments and agencies of the Government:
Provided: That where exception to his action is made by the Secretary of a
department or by the Head or Director of an agency outside the Department of
Defense, such exceptions shall be referred to the Board. Pending Board review,
if the Secretary of Defense determines that the subject matter presents a problem
of an emergency nature and requires immediate action, he may refer the matter
to the Special Committee for immediate decision.
4. The Director, National Security Agency
The Director, National Security Agency shall act for the Executive Agent in all COMSEC
matters set forth below. In so doing, he shall fulfill requirements of the various departments and
agencies of the Government. Subject to the provisions of this directive, matters voted on by the
Board, and the direction of the Secretary of Defense, he shall:
a. Prescribe or approve all cryptographic systems and techniques used in any manner.
Included are the doctrine and procedures governing their operation, use, modification or removal
from use, and the application of compromising emanations suppression techniques and protective
measures to cryptographic systems and techniques.
b. Initiate research and development projects needed to fulfill stated qualitative
requirements for COMSEC equipment or to advance communications security technology,
including techniques, protective measures, and standards for controlling compromising
emanations of COMSEC equipment. When mutually agreed, the Director, NSA, may delegate
authority to conduct specified cryptographic R&D projects.
c. Evaluate and advise the Board and the departments and agencies concerned on the
vulnerability of telecommunications to hostile exploitation. Recommend basic doctrine, methods,
and procedures to minimize COMSEC vulnerabilities.
d. Generate and produce cryptomaterial and provide for the production or procurement
of COMSEC equipment needed by departments and agencies. When mutually agreed, the
Director, NSA may authorize departments and agencies to produce specified COMSEC
equipment and cryptomaterial in accordance with prescribed technical and security criteria.
5 of 6
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
CONFIDENTIAL
e. Conduct technical COMSEC liaison with the appropriate organizations of foreign
governments and international organizations concerned with such matters. When required by
U.S. commitments, provide for COMSEC assistance to foreign governments and international
organizations.
1. Provide guidance and procedures to departments and agencies to effect the maximum
practicable control over material authorized for release outside the Government.
g. Collaborate with departments and agencies in order to:
(1) Develop basic COMSEC design criteria for telecommunications systems,
including command and control systems for weapons and space vehicles, determine the level of
COMSEC protection provided by a specific system, and advise and assist the cognizant
department or agency.
(2) Develop and prescribe doctrine on measures required to protect COMSEC
equipment, materials and information.
(3) Formulate concepts and develop techniques for the collection and analysis of
data necessary to identify and evaluate COMSEC vulnerabilities, and for the prevention or
control of compromising emanations which may constitute a threat to COMSEC.
(4) Assist in the formulation of principles and the development of techniques for
communications cover and manipulative communications deception and in the preparation or
review of the COMSEC elements of these programs.
(5) Develop national long range COMSEC objectives, to include consideration of
equipment research, development and application, threat projection and security theory.
(6) Provide technical guidance and support for COMSEC education and training
programs.
h. Obtain information needed to assess the adequacy of national COMSEC doctrine,
procedures, techniques, and material.
i. Provide a Secretariat for the United States Communications Security Board,
including an Executive Secretary who shall be approved by the Chairman.
5. The Heads of the Departments and Agencies of the Government
The heads of all departments and agencies of the Federal Government shall organize and
conduct their COMSEC and EMSEC activities as they see fit subject to the provisions of law, the
directives of the President, the provisions of this Directive, matters voted on by the Board, and
any other Directives which may be issued by the Special Committee. Nothing in this Directive
shall relieve the heads of the individual departments and agencies of their responsibilities for
executing all measures required to assure the security of federal telecommunications and the
control of compromising emanations.
6. Nothing in this Directive shall be construed to give the Board, any of its members or
committee, the Executive Agent, or the Director of NSA the right to inspect any department or
agency without approval by the head thereof. Departments and agencies shall not be required to
disclose to the Board, any of its members or committees, the Executive Agent, or the Director of
NSA the contents of any official communications concerning its activities, if, in the opinion of the
head of the department or agency, the disclosure would be contrary to the national interest.
7. The communications conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency in the performance of
functions described in NSCID No. 5 are specifically exempted from this Directive.
6 of 6
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/03/18: CIA-RDP89B01354R000100050013-2