Communications security

Communications security is the discipline of preventing unauthorized interceptors from accessing telecommunications in an intelligible form, while still delivering content to the intended recipients. In the United States Department of Defense culture, it is often referred to by the abbreviation COMSEC. The field includes cryptosecurity, transmission security, and physical security of COMSEC equipment.

COMSEC is used to protect both classified and unclassified traffic on military communications networks, including voice, video, and data. It is used for both analog and digital applications, and both wired and wireless links.

Voice over secure internet protocol VOSIP has become the de facto standard for securing voice communication, replacing the need for Secure Terminal Equipment (STE) in much of the U.S. Department of Defense. USCENTCOM moved entirely to VOSIP in 2008.

Specialties

COMSEC (South Africa)

COMSEC (formally Electronic Communications Security (Pty) Ltd) is a company owned by the Government of South Africa through its National Intelligence Agency.

COMSEC’s main task is to secure South African government communications against any unauthorized access and also from technical, electronic or any other related threats. The company also provides verification services for electronic communications security systems, products and services used by the South African government .

The company was established by an act of government private company in 2003 in order to ensure that critical electronic communications of South African government were protected and secured. Prior to the establishment of the company, provision of communication security was fragmented in government.

The Chief Executive Officer of COMSEC (as of July 2005) is Ms. Taki Netshitenzhe.