~· . - - - ~I Ali SECHftl'fY INPOR:Mld'ION 

com IDENTIAL - Sl!'.Ct:JftITT IllFOftWc'f!eft Draft version revised on 

basis of meeting vlth 

representatives of OSD, ~, 

JCS, Army, Navy and Air Force 

on 4 December, 1953 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY 

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 

SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE 

JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF 

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY 

SUBJECT: Implementation of' NSC Directive on Communications Securit7 

(NSC 168) 

References• (a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

NSC Directive on Communications Security, (NSC 168) 

dtd 20 Oct 53 

SecDef Memorandum Interim Responsibility tor COMSEC, 

dtd 5 Dec 52 

NSCID No. 9 Revised, dtd 24 Oct 52 

Secretary of Defense Directive Implementation of NSCID 

No 9 Revised, dtd 5 Dec 52 

1. This Directive is issued for the purpos~ o'f implementing vithin 

the Department of Defense the provisions of reference (a) and supersedes 

reference (b) All directives, orders, or instructions relating to COMSEC 

matters issued by any authorities within the Department o'f Defense which 

are inconsistent or at variance with the provisions of this Directive 

will be rescinded or revised in consonance therewith 

2 The Department of Defense has been designated by reference (a) 

as Executive Agent o'f the Government for all COMSEC matters. 

3 The National Security Agency (NSA) was authorized by reference 

(c) and established by reference (d). Reference (b) assigned to the 

Director, NSA, on an interim basis, the responsibility for COMSEC 

activities and related matters previously assigned to the Director, 

~~ 

Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA) The Director, NSA, has,,\been 

designated to set for the Executive Agent in all COMSEC matters set 

forth in paragraphs 2d(l) through 2d(l3) of reference (a) and any others 

lThich may be specified by the "Special Committee of' the National Security 

eclassifi ed and a 
• 

S9PJFIBBN'i'%Afi 

-Ai SECUMfYINPORlfld'fON 

OE!6UR!'i'Y Im'OftMA:T!.ON 

Council for COM5.t!:C Mntters", or the ''U11ited States Communications 

Security Board" (hereinafter referred to as the Board). With respect 

· will enaure that fulfillment 

to the military departments, the Director, NSt\ J trill -pex fox m ld:s 6ef•~e 

ot his C<MmC f'unctiona will meet the requirements ot the Joint Chiefs ot Sta.f'f'. f\H!e~ieBB 1:!Btler tifte ilftl'B.eaia~e airee~ien ~i!anee) ef 't;fte JeiB~ Saiefs 

ef S4ieff. 

4. In fulfilling his COYSEC responsibilities, the Director, NSA, 

governed . will be 14etlf!A by the provisions of reference (a), and in the fields of 

cryptosecurity, transmission security, physical security, and cover and 

deception, it shall be his responsibility: 

a. To obtain from ;the military departments such information 

as he may require in performing h:ts fllncti.ons, as authorized in this 

directive or any other direc~ive subsequently issued. 

b. To prescribe, or review and approve, the cryptoprinciples 

incorporated or to be incor~orated in any telecommunications equipments 

and systems and in any CO!•IBEC equipments and oystems. 

. . 

c. To prescribe, or review and approve, cryptosecurity rules 

regulations, and instructions applicable to the operation ~nd use of ar.y 

crypto-equipments and systems and of any COivISEC equipmen~s and systems. 

d. To perform technical analysis of military telecommunications 

for the purpose of determining the degree of COI-iSEC being provided by the 

cryptoprinciples, materials and procedures used, as well as the effect on 

COMSEC of the commu..~ications procedures and practices being utilized; making 

arrange~ents with the military departments to obtain the material required 

for_ such analysis. 

e. To review and evaluate communications procedures developed 

within the Department of Defense to determine whether such procedures will 

2 

CONFIDEN'FIAL 
• • -WON:FJ@~ :i\i SECURITY INFORWA'ION 

OONPIBBN~iA:fl = ffilet1fU'l'Y lff.l"MMA'1'!6N 

provide and maintain transmission security; and, in conjunction with the 

· revise and supplement rules and procedures as required. 

military departments,/4e~elef all41. es,a•lis~ e~eh revisiena !~ an.cl acltli,lenal 

;y,;i,,es AIW proce4m:H as may lie rettll:l:rea. The Dire.ctor 1 NSA may perform 

technical analyses of military telecommunications and shall make arrangements with the military departments to obtain the material required for 

!E_Ch analysis. 

f. To prescribe minimum· standards for the physical security I 

of cryptomaterial, in collaboration with the military departments as 

appropriate. 

g. To assist in the preparation of or to review the communications 

portions of all cover and deception plans. To formulate and promulgate 

the basic policies used in such portions. 

h. To receive from the military departments their research 

and development requirements for crypto-equipmente and materials, and 

provide for review, coordination, and approval of all such research and 

development programs. In so doing, he will ascertain the extent of joint 

! 

or cor.unon interest in the requirements and the means by which requirements 

may best be satisfied. 

1. In consonance with the policies of the Department of Defense~ 

and the Joint Chiefs o1" Statt, 1 

/to fol'IllUlate an integrated program for cryptosecurity research and 

development to meet the requirements of' the military dep~rtm.enta in order 

to ensure the continuing security of their telecommunications. 

j. Ift e&B:seMftee wi'91l '4i'Be "PBlie:l:ee et the Be:par1ime9 et Betenee, 

To 

/ 4;e- conduct an integrated research and development program adequate to 

i 

achieve a satisfacto~y state of cryptosecurity. In so doing, he shall 

3 

CONFIDENTIAL 
• • i£>N'f1 E)~I{ A9 llilCUIUTY INF'OftMA'l'ION 

69Ni''IBB*'1'3"Jdl SF.l8l:lRI'fY BH.1tffit.fk?!eN 

be asoiated by the military departments. 

k. To inform any military department which has expressed 

interest in cryptosecurity research and development projects of the 

progress being made. 

1. To receive from the mili~ary departments their requirements 

(other than research and development) for crypto-equ~pments and materials, 

and provide for review, coordination, and approval of all crypto-equipment 

and material production and procurement programs. 

In COD8cmance with policies at the Departmnt ot Def'enae an4 the 

m. / to formulate an integrated program for the production and 

Joint Chieta ot Statt 

procurement of crypto-equipments and materials. 

n. To produce cryptomaterial necessary to meet the requirements 

of the military departments and to ensure that there is· adequate capacity 

to meet these requirements. In so doing, the D~rector, NSA, by mutual 

agreement will authorize the military departments to engage in the. 

production of cryptomaterjal. Such production will be conducted in 

accordance with technical cryptologic criteria prescribed by the Director, 

NSA, and he will be kept informed of the production accomplished. 

o. In meeting operational requirements, to ensure the necessary 

com.Patibility and, insofar as practicable, the standardization of 

crypto-equipments and material in order to promote a maximum of efficiency 

and economy in their procurement, operation, and maintenance. Determination 

. of the acceptability of an equipment in meeting the operational requirements 

is a responsibility of the milita~y departments. 

p. To :furnish services and materials for the COMSEC program 

of the military departments under mutually agreeable fiscal arrangements. 

4 

CON FI DENT I AL 
, _ ~ A9 BECURl'J'Y INFORM>d'ION 

CQ.SEC 

q To provide t~chnical guidance and support for/eP)'7teeeeQPity 

tTainine conducted by the military departments 

r To arrange with the authorized representatives of a 

military department for required liaison with subordinate elements of 

that department 

s To refer violatlons of COMSEC instructions to the military 

department concerned for such action as may be deemed necessary, and if 

appropriate corrective action is not taken, refer the subject to the 

Secretary of Def enee via the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

5 Except on matters which have been voted on by the Board and 

subJect to the direction of the Secretary of Defense and (tee !'li&eR!e 

~ '93.t!e CFeil'!:il Oh:tef:!l ef 8 baf:fl, the Director, NSA, shall discharge hie 

responsibilities with respect to the military departments in accordance 

with his awn judi;m.ent 

6 In COMS~C matters, it shall be the responsibility of the 

military -departments 

a To organize and conduct their COMSEC activities as they see 

fit subject to the provisions of law, the directives of the President, 

and any other directives iaaued by the 

the provisions of reference (a)/ tihe ~revisiene ef taie aiPeetiva, aR4 

Boa.rd the provisions of this directive, and any directives issued by 

SftY e~er 41Pee~ives ieettea by ilhe Uftitea States Cemmtmieatiene Sec'ttriily 

the Director, NBA 

Deaxa er the SeexetePy ef Defel'!:ee. Nothing in this directive shall 

relieve the military departments of their responsibilities for executing 

ail measures required to assure the security and efficiency of their own 

telecommunications 

b To provide all lawful assistance required by the Board 

c. To provtde the Director, NSA, vith such information and 

assistance as he may require in the performance of his functions, as 

CON FID~NT 12\L 
• 

. _ eJ: A9 SBCURf'fY INPOftMld'ION 

authorized in this directive, or any other directives subsequently I 

issued 

d To provide logistic support of the National Security 

Agency es required by the Director, NSA, in order that he may fulfill 

his COMSEC responsibilities 

e. To furnish to the Director, NSA, the materials necessary 

for his technical analysis of military telecommunications. 

f. To submit all research end development requirements for 

crypto-equipments and materiel to the Director, NSA, end to keep him 

currently advised of any changes therein 

g To accomplish such COMSEC research end development projects 

es may be authorized by the Director, NSA. Subject to prior notification to 

and approval by the Director, NSA, to initiate and conduct such research 

end development projects as may be necessary to support their COMSEC 

activities. 

h To determine the acceptability of crypto-equipmenta in 

I 

meeting their expressed operational requirements Military departments 

will furnish the Director NSA, timely notification of service test 

findings When equipment developed to meet .1oint or common requirements 

is service tested, the departments concerned. will arrange to conduct 

coordinated service tests so as to achieve maximum results with the 

procurement or the minimum number of service test mod.els. 

I 

i. To submit all requirements, other than research and 

develOpmE"nt, for CrVPtO oqu •rmi~nts and materials of the Director, NBA, 

in accordance with proc'"'"d1n .::s e-stablished by him 

6 

CONFIDENTIAL 
• 'ji)N-lil ~ AltflECumTY INFORMld'ION 

eeNfi'I:BEN'i'D\L - BEetffl'.f'l'Y INfi'eRW<'f!6N 

j To organize, train, equip, operate, administer, budget 

for, and provide logistic support to their respective COMflEC activities. 

This will include provision of reserve programs to meet emergency or wartime 

requirements 

k To perform, under mutually agreeable fiscal arrangements, 

such COMSEC tasks and f'unctions as may be specified by the Director, NSA. 

1. To provide the necessary COMSEC facilities and resources 

for the support of the military effort, in accordance with assigned 

responsibilities. 

7 The Director, NSA, will arrange with the appropriate authorities 

Department of 

of departments and agencies of the Government outside thtY•ilita~ 

Defense for the exercise of the authority over ca.EEC natters granted in 

estal:Jlishmeat f!eP ~e eJEere:f:l!le ef liie att'bhori'by over OOMOEIO ma'bters gxantea 

paragraph 2 of ~reference (a) 

8 In accordance with the policies established by the Board, and 

in behalf' of the Executive Agent of the government for all COMSEC matters, 

the Director, NSA, will conduct the liaison on technical COMSEC and related 

matters with the cryptologic authorities of foreign nations and international organizations. The military departments shall be invited to 

participate in any international conference called for the purpose of' 

determining the crypto-equipments, procedures, and/or materials to be 

used to provide security to communications between the military forces of 

the United States and those of the United. Kingdom or Canada. 

9 Appeals from any decision of the Board by the Director, NSA., 

or by the representative of' any of the military departments, shall be 

filed only with the approval of the Secretary of' Defense In the event 

that a military department objects to any decision of the Director, NSA., 

7 

CONFIDENTIAL 
-- ONFf fJ.Elti'r I 2A. iECYRITY INFORMA'FION 

that department will call the mtter to the attention of the Director, NBA. 

if the matter in question cannot be resolved after consideration by the 

Director, NBA, and the department concerned, the head of that department 

shall refer the matter to the Secretary of Defense via the Joint Chiefs 

of Ste.ff. 

dee:pa~i&ee ~A•i~ J9J1'1BaPy miss&eB1 eJ1 8lleeei 'se&Ji aQ•ae•'••i lnlige~....,. 

I 

elQ&!liiL~vea.. If in the i!f1Plemente.tion of COMSEC directives or requirements 

I it becomes apparent that the primary mission of a military department will I 

be adversel.y affected or its budgetary authorization will be exceeded, 

such directives or requirements will be implemented to the fullest extent 

possible while the conflict between the COMSEC directives or requirements 

on the one hand and the primary mission or budgetary limitation on the 

other is being referred to the Secretary of Defense by the head of the 

military department concernljd. The military departments shall not be 

required to disclose to the Director, NSA, the Board, or aey of its 

committees the contents of arry official communications concerning its 

activities, if, in the opinion of the head of the department, th& disclosure would be contrary to the national interest. Nothing in this 

directive shall,be construed to give the Board or aey of its representatives the right to inspect the operation of COMSEC in any military department w1 thout approval by the head thereof. 

11. Special terms used in this directive shall have the meanings 

assigned by reference (a). 

CONFIDENTIAL