COMMUNICATION SECURITY (COMSEC)

Communications Security (COMSEC) involves protecting the confidentiality and integrity of CLASSIFIED / PROTECTED information being transmitted over communication lines, while at the same time ensuring the availability of this information to personnel authorized to use it. Communications security requirements are applied to communications systems, their links and equipment through various security methods such as physical, cryptographic, transmission and emission security.

COMSEC Accounts

A private sector organization which has a valid requirement to hold COMSEC material and assets at their site will be required to establish a COMSEC account with CIISD. The organization will be visited by a Field Industrial Security Officer (FISO) who will identify the physical security and administrative requirements that must be met before the firm can be granted a COMSEC account. The organization will have to appoint a COMSEC Custodian and Alternate who, together with the Company Security Officer, will be responsible for the security and accountability of COMSEC material and assets.

Once it has been determined that the organization can adequately safeguard COMSEC material and assets, a COMSEC account will be granted at the appropriate level. The COMSEC Custodian will be provided a copy of the PWGSC Industrial COMSEC Material Control Manual which contains a comprehensive set of rules and procedures for the handling and physical safeguarding of COMSEC material.

COMSEC Inspections

COMSEC account holders in the private sector will be subject to COMSEC inspections, depending on the complexity of their accounts, to ensure they are protecting COMSEC material and assets in accordance with the PWGSC Industrial COMSEC Material Control Manual.