RECOMMENDED NEW NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL INTELLIGENCE DIRECTIVE NO. 7 - CRITICAL INTELLIGENCE COMMUNICATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85S00362R000600040007-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 1, 2006
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 28, 1958
• Content Type: MF

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ER 10-614
28 January 1958
MEMORANDUM FOR. Executive Secretary
National Security Council
SUBJECT . Recommended New National Security Council Intelligence
Directive No. 7 - Critical Intelligence Communications
REFERENCES , (a) Memorandum for DCI and ES/NSC, dated 28 October 1957,
Subject: Recommendation No. 1, Report of the President's
Board of Consultants on Foreign. Intelligence Activities,
dated 21.i- October 1957.
(b) Memorandum for ES/NSC from DCI, Serial TS #lh-1662/a,
IAC_D.114/l, dated 6 December 1957, subject as above.
1. The United States Communications Intelligence Board (USCIB) has
completed a study of measures which might be undertaken immediately to
improve the quality of communications service necessary to provide the
President and the National Security Council more timely service on critical
intelligence, particularly that related to prior warning of Soviet attack.
2. At the present time the intelligence community is primarily
dependent upon the communications capabilities of the Military Services,
the Central Intelligence Agency and the Department of State for the electrical
transmission of intelligence between intelligence collection sources and
intelligence users. There is no communications service available to the
intelligence community which is used exclusively for the transmission of
intelligence; the networks used, other than those employed by the National
Security Agency (NSA) and the service cryptologic agencies, are common-user
networks where intelligence must compete for circuit time and priority of
handling with the communications needs of other users. The communications
facilities and services currently available for use by the intelligence
community are not adequate to provide for the consistent transmission of
critical intelligence on a timely basis.
3. The Intelligence Advisory Committee (IAC) has stated that, because
of the growing Soviet missile capability, the intelligence community should
have communications available by mid-1958 which can provide a ten-minute
speed of service. USCIB does not believe that such a service can be provided
by mid-1958 except in unusual circumstances, but does believe that substantial
improvement can be made immediately.
NSA review(s) completed
(pages 1-3 only)
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4. Certain overseas relay centers and communications channels
currently provided for the use of the National Security Agency and the
Service cYyptolog.lc agencies, and the NSA Communications center at Fort
Meade, are suitable for transmitting all-source intelligence and, if
augmented and improved, could provide the basis for improved intelligence
communications.
5. Preliminary estimates of costs of augmenting and improving
communications have been made.
a. The estimated one-time cost of an immediate improvement
program for overseas relay centers is $8,125,000 and the
estimated annual cost of additional communications channels
necessary to augment existing available channels is $5,500,000.
In addition to the above, funds would be required by the
intelligence agencies in Fiscal Year 1959 to interconnect
with the relay centers since none of the agencies has budgeted
for this item
b. A long-range program for automation, which is considered
to be the logical goal for adequate service, is estimated to
require a one-time expenditure of $56,271,000 including crypto-
graphic equipment for the tributaries interconnecting with the
relay centers. It is estimated that the annual recurring cost
for operation and maintenance of such a system would be $18,000,000.
c.. No funds, have been budgeted for these purposes.
6. USCIB and the I.AC consider that the following actions must be
accomplished if the intelligence community is to have communications
support necessary to insure timely transmission of critical intelligence.
a. The designation of an Executive Agent for the Government
to provide for the establishment, operation, and perfection of
communications means necessary to insure adequate transmission
of critical intelligence.
b. The designation of a single authority at the national
level to provide the Executive Agent of the Government with
continuing guidance as, to the communications requirements of
the intelligence community for the transmission of critical
intelligence..
c. The designation of a single authority to define
critical intelligence, and to establish uniform criteria
for the identification, selection, and designation of
relative priority for transmission of critical intelligence.
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d., The provision of funds, manpower, and resources
specifically allocated, over and above those required for
any other national defense program., for the establishment,
operation, and perfection of communications means to handle
critical intelligence.
7. USCIB and the TAC have jointly concluded that, in order to
accomplish these actions, it will be necessary for the NSC to:
ae Designate the Secretary of Defense as Executive
Agent of the Government to provide for the establishment,
operation, and perfection of communications means necessary
to insure adequate transmission of critical intelligence.
b. Direct the Director of Central Intelligence, with
the advice and support of the members of the IAC, to provide
the Secretary of Defense with continuing guidance as to the
communications requirements of the intelligence community
for the transmission of critical intelligence.
cu Direct the Director of Central Intelligence, in
consultation with the members of the IAC, to define
critical intelligence, and to establish uniform criteria
for .the identification, selection, and designation of
relative priority for the transmission of critical
intelligence.
da Support the Secretary of Defense in obtaining
supplementary appropriations for the purpose of augmenting
and improving communications needed for the transmission
of critical intelligence.
8. USCIB and the IAC have jointly concurred in my recommendation
that the National Security Council approve tie enclosed National. Security
Council Intelligence Directive.
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DRAFT
Concurred in by USCIB 22 January 1958
Concurred in by the IAC 28 January 1958
CRITICAL INTELLIGENCE COMMUNICATIONS
Pursuant to Sections 101 and. 102, as mended, of the National Security
Act of 1947, the National Security Council authorizes and directs that:
The following organization and procedures are hereby established
so that the communicating of critical intelligence may be made most effective
in order that the President and other members of the National Security
Council may receive, in the most timely manner, intelligence necessary for
action.
1. `Where shall be established communications means for the trans-
mission of critical intelligence, particularly that related to early warning
of Soviet attack, necessary to the President and high government officials.
These means shall consist of tributary lines linking certain overseas
intelligence sources of the intelligence community to overseas relay centers
at key locations. The overseas relay centers shall in turn be connected
to a communications center and distribution system in the Washington area
serving the highest authorities.
2. The Secretary of Defense shall be the Executive Agent of the
Government to provide for the establishment, operation, and perfection of
communications means necessary to ensure adequate transmission of critical
intelligence. The Executive Agent of the Government shall be responsible
for the establishment, operation, and perfection of the Washington and
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overseas relay centers, the Washington terminals serving the highest
authorities, and the interconnecting communications channels. He shall
also ensure that, to the extent practicable, intelligence sources overseas
are connected with the relay centers designated by him for the relay of
critical intelligence.
3. The Director of Central Intelligence, withrthe advice and
support of the members of the Intelligence Advisory Committee, shall
provide the Secretary of Defense with continuing guidance as to the
communications requirements of the intelligence community for the trans-
mission of critical intelligence.
4. The Director of Central Intelligence, in consultation with the
members of the Intelligence Advisory Committee, shall define critical
intelligence and establish uniform criteria for the identification,
selection, and designation of relative priority for the transmission
of critical intelligence.
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