USCIB: 

CCMSEC: 

12./4 

2-/6 

24 

20 August 1954 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE: U.S. CCJOOJNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE BOARD 

U.S. C<lOO.JNICATIONS SECURITY BOARD 

Subject: Procedures for Dealing with Requests by Foreign Nations 

for Cryptographic Assistance. 

Reference: COMSEC 2-/2 (USCIB 12./2) of 3 June 1954 (Item 1 of the 

Minutes of the Joint Session of USCIB/USCSB held at 1430, 

3 June 1954. 

1. The enclosed Report of the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee 

established in compliance with the reference is submitted for approval or 

conunent as appropriate. 

2. In submitting his Report to the Executive Secretary the above 

mentioned Chai:nn.an included a comment as follows: 

11The ad hoc committee believes that its terms of reference 

as they pertain to 'cryptographic• assistance were too 

restrictive in the sense that the broader field of 'communications security' assistance might better have been 

considered. It is the opinion of the ad hoc committee, 

however, that the proposed procedure can be applied in 

cases where requests are made for more than ' cryptographic 1 

assistance." 

3. It is requested that the members execute the attached vote sheet 

and return it to this office by the close of business, Friday, 3 September 

1954. 

Eh closure 

Memo from Chainn.an, Combined 

Ad Hoc CQmmittee, dated 

20 Aug 1954, subject as above. 

USCIB: 

COMSEC: 

12./4 

2-/6 
r 

20 AUG 1954 

MEMORANDUM FOR TllE MEMBERS OF THE: 

U.S. COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE BOARD 

U.S. COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY BOARD 

SUBJECT: Procedures for Dealing with Requests from Foreign Nations for 

Cryptographic Assistance 

1. At a. combined meeting on 3 June 1954, uscm and USCSB agreed that 

an ad hoc committee would be appointed to study and make reconnnend.ations 

with regard to the establishment of standard opera.ting procedures for deal.-

ing with requests of foreign governments for cryptographic assistance. 

2. A uniform procedure for member departments and agencies to follow 

in handling requests for cryptographic assistance submitted by foreign 

nations is attached as Inclosure 1. 

3. In connection with the procedures described herein (Incl. 1), the 

ad hoc committee also studied a matter closely related to ha.nd.1ing of requests 

for foreign cryptographic assistance. USCSB is responsible for establishing 

broad policies necessary to guide the relations of the U.S. Government with 

foreign governments and international organizations in COMSEC matters (paragraph l c (2) (e), NSC 168). Implicit in this assigned responsibility of 

USCSB is-the function of authorizing disclosure of cryptographic information ~o foreign nations. This function insofar as it pertains to military information is now performed by the State-Defense Military Information Control 

Committee {S-DMICC) acting as agent for the Secretaries of State and Defense. 

4. Attached hereto (Incl. 2) is a proposed memorandum to the Cb.airman, 

S-DMICC, from the Chairman, USCSB, which states that USCSB, under the authority 

of NSC 168, will assume the national authority for approving disclosure of 

cryptographic information to foreign nations, and proposes that S-DMICC 

recognize USCSB as the national authority for this matter. 

5. · The ad hoc committee rec.onnnends that : 

a. The procedure contained in Inclosure 1 be approved,, and 

implemented by the members of USCSB and USCIB within their respective 

departments and agencies. 

b. The memorandum contained in Inclosure 2 be forwarded to S-DMICC. 

6. This memorandum ma.y be downgraded to CONFIDENTIAL upon removal of. 

the inclosures. 

Incls: 

a/s 

' 

(/'" 

D~#.~ JAMES H. DOUGLAS 

National Security Agency 

Chairman, Combined Ali Hoc Committee 

SE€RET 
... ' 

REF ID:A66102 

SE€RET 

INCLOSURE l 

PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH REQUESTS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC 

1\SSISTJ\NCE FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS 

1. "Cryptographic assistance" includes, for the procedure described 

herein, provision of crypto-materiaJ_ such as crypto-equipments, codes, 

ciphers, key lists, and associated material, as well as instructions or 

ad.vice pertaining to the use, development, or improvement of cryptographic 

systems. 

2. When a member department or agency receives, either formaJ.ly or 

informally, requests for cryptographic assistance from foreign governments, 

international organizations, or their authorized representatives, the member 

department or agency shall take the following action: 

a. Ascertain that the request is one authorized by proper officials 

of the foreign nation. 

b. Inform the requesting official that the matter will be referred 

to the appropriate U.S. officials for action. 

c. Forward a copy of the request together with other information 

provided by the foreign representative concerning the requirement for cryptographic assistance to the Director, National Security Agency, and an information copy to the Executive Secretary, USCSB. 

3. The Executive Secretary may forward copies of the request to members 

of USCSB and USCIB for their information, or will do so upon request of a 

member. 

4. Upon receipt of a request from a member department or agency, the 

Director, NSA, will if current policy permits, take appropriate action to 

fulfill the request and inform the Board that such action has been ta.ken. 

If, however, current policy does not authorize the request to be granted 

the Director, NSA, will present his recommendations for the action to be 

taken on the request to USCSB. The Director, NSA, will effect coordination 

as necessary with USC.IB before submitting his recommendations to USCSB. 

5. In considering disclosure of cryptographic information to foreign 

nations, USCIB may consult with !SIB. 

6. The Director, NSA, will maintain records of the information and 

crypto-material disclosed a.nd furnished to each foreign nation. 

7. In cases where requirements for cryptographic assistance given to 

members are ambiguous and need clarification before final. decision can be 

SE€RE'F 

-----------------------------
_.I 

• 

r 

!NCLOStJRE: l 

reconnnended, the Director, NSA; may arrange with the appropriate member 

department or agency for NSA technicians to interview the foreign of'f'icial 

'\;o ascertain in detail the nature of the requirement. When interviews are 

arranged under the foregoing procedure, the NSA technicians will not be 

identified as NSA personnel. 

8 • The member department or agency receiving the request shall be 

responsible for ma.king a suitable reply to the original request. When a. 

decision is made that the requested assistance will be provided, the member 

department or agency concerned and the Director, NSA, will consult on the 

manner in 1rhich the requested cr;yptograp~ic assistance is to be made available, 

.. 

SECRE'f 
s~~9'6102 :l\:fJ :l • 

INCLOSURE 2 

(DRAFr) 

MEMORANDUM FOR TEE CHAIRMAN 2 S'I'ATE-DEFENSE 

MILITARY llWORMATION CONTROL COMMITTEE 

SUBJECT: Responsibility for Policies on Disclosures of Camnunications 

Security Information to Foreign Governments 

1. A National Security Council directive on communications security 

(COMSEC) dated October 202 1953 (NBC 168) delegates responsibility for 

policies and procedures affecting the security of Federal telecommunications 

to the United States Conmrunications Security Board (USCSB). This responsibil• 

ity includes disclosures of COMSEC information to foreign governments. 

2. In view of the NationaJ. Security Council directive, it is requested 

that you take the necessary actions to remove the responsibility for disclosures of classified military communications security information to foreign 

governments from the terms of reference of S-DMICC. 

3. It is recognized that decisions by the USCSB might have some bearing 

on disclosures of information which might be considered by S-DMICC. The 

Executive Secretary, USCSB, will supply S-DMICC an information copy of 

decisions of USCSB which approve disclosures of classified inf'orma.tion to 

foreign governments. 

4. I suggest that details concerning the mechanics of this change or 

responsibities and the exchange of the necessary information in connection 

with the change should be a.s agreed between the secretaries of the two bodies. 

5. Please let me know what action is ta.ken by your Connnittee in regard 

to this request. 

{Draft) 

Chairman 

SE€RET0SB