Accession Number:

AD1122850

Title:

DoD TEMPEST Protection: Better Evaluations Needed to Determine Required Countermeasures

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Congressional Report]

Corporate Author:

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Conahan, Frank C.

Report Date:

1986-06-27

Pagination or Media Count:

16

Abstract:

In response to your September 1984 request, we have reviewed Department of Defense DOD and service adherence to national TEMPEST policy. TEMPEST refers to technical investigations and studies of compromising emanations from electronic information-processing equipment. Compromising emanations are unintentional intelligence-bearing signals which, if intercepted and analyzed, disclose classified information. National policy instructs federal agencies to protect classified information against such emanations. TEMPEST countermeasures-such as metal shielding, special wiring, and special equipment- are costly to implement. Total TEMPEST costs within DOD are unknown however, they are estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Descriptors:

• processing equipment
• word processors
• national security
• air force
• data processing
• information processing
• contractors
• contracts
• governments
• information systems
• security
• united states
• classified materials
• house of representatives
• money
• united states government
• accounting
• countermeasures
• directives
• guidance

Subject Categories:

• Defense Systems
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]