DoD TEMPEST Protection: Better Evaluations Needed to Determine Required Countermeasures

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.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 27, 1986
Accession Number
AD1122850

Entities

People

  • Frank C. Conahan

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accounting
  • Air Force
  • Classified Materials
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Countermeasures
  • Data Processing
  • Department Of Defense
  • Directives
  • Governments
  • Guidance
  • House Of Representatives
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Money
  • National Security
  • Processing Equipment
  • Security
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Word Processors

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Cybersecurity.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics