REF ID:A59471 ,,..,,.., .... ....,,..., ~.lR~lt:nl 

USGIB: 13.5/61 

10 May 1954 

MEMlRANPUM FOR THEi MEMBEBS OF USCIB : 

Subject: Compromises and Possible Compromises of COMINT 

Information and COMINT Codewords Due to 

Communication Insecurities. 

Reference; USCIB Directive Number 9 (Revised), dated 4 Feb 54 

1. The Director, NSA, in accordance with Section III, 

paragraph 2d of the reference, has established certain 

procedures for reporting instances of possible compromise 

of COMINT information involving ineffective communications 

security occurring outside the tec:J:ll4.cal or operational 

jurisdiction of NSA. 

2. A copy of these procedures is enclosed herewith 

for your information and compliance. 

Enclosure 

NSA Serial 00143 S 

dated 6 Ma:y 54' - subject as above. 

USCIB: 13.5/61 

Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 02-24-2014 pursuantto E.O. 1352a 

SECRET 
NATION.AL SECURITY AGENCY 

WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 

, 

MEIDRANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, USCIB 

Serial: 00143 S 

6 May 1954 

SUBJECT: Compromises and Possible Compromises of COMINT Information 

and COMINT Codewords Due to Communication Insecurities 

1. Reference is made to paragraph 2 d, Section III, of CIBD #9 

Revised, 4 Feb 54, which provides that each member department or agency 

of USCIB will report as expeditiously as possible all instances of 

possible com.promise of COMINT information involving ineffective communications security to the Director, NSA, in accordance with procedures 

established by him, for evaluation. 

2. The procedures described herein accordingly are set forth by 

the Director, NSA, for guidance of all activities which are engaged in 

electrical transmission of OOMINT information, but which are not under 

his technical or operational control. A siIBilar procedure for units . under the technical or operational control of Director, NSA, has been 

established • 

.3. The term "communication insecurities", as used herein, refers 

to those occurrences involving communications which may result in compromises of COMINT information. Communication insecurities include: 

a. Unauthorized transmissions of classified information in 

plain language or in improperly encrypted forms. 

b. Violations of the physical security of cryptographic material 

used for encrypting COMINT information; this includes loss, theft, capture, 

recovery by salvage, defection of individuals, or unauthorized viewing of 

the cryptomaterial. · 

c. Use of unauthorized cryptosystem.s for tranSili.tting COMINT 

information. 

d. Violations of rules concerning encryption or decryption 

processes. 

4. Immediately upon detection of known or suspected compromise involving communication insecurities, a message report should be forwarded 

to the Director, NSA, ATTN: COM3EC. All such reports should be classified SECRET unless TOP SECRET infol'Ill.8.tion is contained therein and should 

be encrypted in an authorized COMINT cryptosystem other than that involved 

in the violation. If an alternate authorized COMINT cryptosystem. is not 

available, the message report should be encrypted in the general purpose 

cryptosystem having the least number or holders; in such cases, reports 

should be so worded as not to reveal COMINT information (including codewords). NSA D1.a.Y request a supplementary report if necessary for evaluation. 

SECR-ET Enclosure with USCIB: 13.5/61~ dated 10 May 1954. 
.. 

e Serial: 001.4.3 s 

f 

5. Massage reports should contain the following information: 

a. A brief description of the violation and the circumstances 

or factors contributing to the occurrence. 

b. An identification of the activities directly concerned 

with the violation. 

c. Specific identification of all cryptomaterial involved 

in the violation. 

d. Where applicable, an exact quote of the information which 

has been endangered due to the violation. In the event such information 

is considered too lengthy to include in a message report, a brief 

description or summary should be included in the message report and an 

exact copy of the information forwarded to the Director, NSA, by the 

most expeditious physical meens available. In the latter event, the 

massage report should state what material is being forwarded to the 

Director, ~A. 

e. A brief statement of remedial actions taken locally, 

specifically those designed to prevent or reduce the likelihood of 

recurrence. 

f. Any other information which, in the opinion of the reporting 

authority, will assist in evaluating the likelihood or extent of the 

compromise and in determining remedial action to be taken. 

6. Upon being advised by the Director, NSA, that a case has been 

evaluated as a compromise, a final report will be submitted in accordance 

with paragraph 2 e, Section III of the reference. Two copies of the 

i"inal report should be forwarded by mail to the Director, NSA, one copy of' which will be forward.ad to the Executive Secretary, USCIB, as prescribed in paragraph 2 f, Section III of the reference. 

7. It is requested that the foregoing inforD.ation be furnished to 

the members o:r USCIB, 'With a request that each lllelllber provide for these 

procedures to become efi"ective as soon as possible within the department 

or agency he represents. 

FOR THE DIRECTOR: 

- 2 -

SECRET 

/a/ 

L. H. FROST 

Captain, US Navy 

Chief of Staff'