IC Directive Series 700 - Managing Security

In our previous article on this topic, we told you about the Intelligence Community (IC), the office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs). These are used by DNI to communicate orders, guidelines and policies to the 16 intelligence agencies that make up the IC.

                Now, we would like to give our customers some details about a series of ICDs that K.L. Security and www.safeandvault.com understand very well. ICD Series 700: Protection of National Intelligence. When you’re dealing with massive amounts of classified information and the groups that use that information to protect/defend the interests of the United States; one of the primary concerns is safeguarding that data.

                So the DNI released a series of ICDs that focuses on the protection of National Intelligence. We’re going to go over some of them for the benefits of our customers (not all of them, some haven’t released to the public record.)  As a security company we feel that the ideas and procedures listed in the can be very helpful for customers looking to improve their own security situations.

                The 700 series started with ICD 700; which the DNI put out in September 2007. It establishes the DNI’s responsibility for the oversight and direction of IC security programs and activities. It describes the agencies that shall oversee this effort and the rules that will guide them; here is a list of the authorities and responsibilities given to the DNI or those chosen to enforce them.

                The ICD empowers the DNI to protect national intelligence and sources with methods consistent with guidance from the DNI. Another goal is to establish and coordinate security policies and standards for the protection of said intelligence and sources. There will be coordination with the DNI Chief Information Officers to ensure protection of national intelligence with the development of security policies and standards for information systems that store, process and communicate national intelligence. The DNI will also provide guidance for security programs associated with the transfer or reprogramming of said resources. The DNI will ensure the successful implementation of this policy with the IC elements and they will monitor the execution of security programs and activities. The DNI will also provide management oversight and direction to the security programs and activities that support the IC. DNI will also ensure effective planning, programming and execution of security resources within the IC.

                The DNI will also use the following ODNI centers; the Special Security Center, the Center for Security Evaluation and the Senior Officials of the Intelligence Community. They will protect national intelligence; ensure uniform implementation of DNI security directives, promote collaboration to identify and implement integrated responses to national security threats. They will also ensure security reciprocity, manage risk and ensure access criteria. There will also be counterintelligence support and the management of insider threats. The process to educate the work force in security awareness with training and education programs concerning IC security directives is ordered. The final measure is to designate a Cognizant Security Authority (CSA).

                This ICD is the foundation of the rest of the 700 series. Many of the ICDs also have sub-directives that provide clarification and additional information. For example, ICD 700 has 700.1 and 700.2 for security glossaries and governance. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other 700 ICDs.

                ICD 701 is about how to deal with the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. It show the importance of reporting and dealing with leaks; it walks through the entire procedure, learning the source and scope of the leak, what information was released, the potential risks to national security. The DNI fulfills its role in guiding agencies in dealing with situations in the most efficient matter.

                Personal standards for access to sensitive and compartmented information are laid-out in ICD 704. The purpose of this directive is to establish the DNI personal security eligibility process for working in one of the sensitive sections of an IC. Under the aegis of protecting national security, the different programs and guides are detailed; it provides a solid core for an IC to build a program around.

                A complete list of the available 700 series ICDs can be found here.

                The 700 series is about protecting national security with better security techniques, equipment and programs; but the lessons it teaches can be applied to security concerns in a multitude of different fields. That is why K.L. Security and www.safeandvault.com want our customers to know about them. We also want our customers to know about some of our products that can fit in perfectly with the type of security methods discussed by the DNI/IC; like the SCIF CDX-09/Kabas Mas Lock.

                The SCIF CDX-09/Kabas Mas Lock is a government approved security device for secure/compliance applications. The design includes a dead-bolt mechanism with varying strike plate configurations for both swing and out swing doors. All the different options can be specified in your order (such as drill-resistant mounting plate) and the model conforms to federal specification #FF-L-2920. Imagine the security of mounting these door lock on the access point of a room holding one of our GSA-approved safes; now that is a double layer of security!

                Using NDI/IC methods and our products can help our customers build a great system of security and safety around their efforts; be they professional or personal. Please take the time to examine both the ICDs and our products.