National Security Directive

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National Security Decision Directive 114, signed by Ronald Reagan

In United States, a National Security Directive (NSD) is a type of presidential directive covering national security policy signed by the President. Different presidential administrations have used various names for these documents. The title National Security Directive was used by the administration of George H. W. Bush.

[edit] Names for National Security Directives by administration

[edit] National Security Presidential Directives of note

• February 13, 2001 - NSPD 1 - Organization of the National Security Council System via Federation of American Scientists [1]

[edit] Presidential directive NSPD 54

The NSA (headquarters pictured) was authorized in 2008 to monitor domestic federal networks.^[1]

As the number of actual attacks as well as perceived threats to U.S. networks increased during the mid-2000s, Einstein became mandatory. U.S. departments and agencies had reported a large increase in security incidents for 2007.^[2] The U.S. Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security itself experienced attacks during late 2006 and early 2007.^[1] A presidential directive was discussed in 2007 and issued on January 8, 2008 and is known by three names: National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 54, HSPD 23 and the Cyber Initiative.^[3][1] Although the directive and its details are classified, it is public information that Einstein is no longer optional.^[4]

The CIA (headquarters pictured), one of four agencies authorized to monitor federal agency networks^[1]

Following NSPD 54, three agencies were authorized to conduct domestic intrusion detection in addition to DHS: the National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Cyber Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).^[1] The NSA has a "twofold mission" to protect U.S. information systems and to produce foreign signals intelligence information, but previously had been "authorized by law to collect only foreign intelligence information".^[5] A task force led by the office of the Director of National Intelligence became responsible for efforts to identify the source of attacks, and the Pentagon was authorized to develop counterattacks.^[1]

The FBI (headquarters pictured), one of four agencies authorized to monitor federal agency networks^[1]

It was decided that DHS lacked the "expertise and authority" to lead the effort, for example, the OMB had assessed a Federal Emergency Management Agency/DHS division as not demonstrating results.^[6] DHS was directed to protect systems^[1] and as of 2008 remained the lead "for assuring the security, resiliency and reliability" of the nation's information technology and "communications infrastructure".^[7] US-CERT remained the department's response center responsible for the nation's "Internet infrastructure".^[7] DHS continued to promote Einstein and the goal of its use in all federal agencies and departments.^[7]

[edit] Notes

[edit] External sources

• San Diego State University Library
• Federation of American Scientists - Presidential Directives Collection
• The National Security Archive - George Washington University

[edit] See also

• Continuity of Operations Plan