Definition of National Security System

National security is a primary responsibility within acting governments that requires a structured approach. A national security system is designed to store, identify and communicate information that affects and maintains a nation's safety. These systems work to protect classified information that affects a nation's security and interests from domestic or foreign threats.

Identification

• A nation's ability to respond in a national or international crisis relies on the communication systems it has in place, according to the Committee on National Security Systems. A well-structured security system is run by a federal or regulating agency that organizes and monitors information concerning national issues. Areas of involvement include cryptologic or coding tasks, intelligence activities and control of a nation's military forces. The communication systems used are designed to remain separate and function outside of routine communications systems that involve administrative, personnel or management activities.

Significance

• In the United States, the structure of the national security system is based on a piece of legislation called the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002, or FISMA. FISMA outlines the types of controls used to manage and protect federal information and information systems, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This legislative action assigns specific agencies as responsible for the tasks involved in maintaining a security system. Individual agencies set the level of security needed, identify the risks involved when certain information is disclosed to unauthorized parties, and monitor the effectiveness of the system.

Security

• Information that affects the safety and security of a nation is labeled as "classified" and falls within the realm of a national security system. Security measures used entail identifying which areas of information require constant surveillance and protection, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. To do this, designated agencies assign classification levels to the different types of information that relate to national interests. Individual agencies or contractors involved in national projects (like military weapons manufacturers) all act as subunits within the system and may each have their own assigned classified security system.

Cryptologic Activities

• Cryptologic activities involve the use of codes and signals within communication processes, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. These activities are designed to conceal classified information as it's passed from one area to another. Cryptologic activities may be used at all times with highly classified information or used only for transmission purposes within other classification levels. These activities also entail setting up whatever equipment, procedures and processes are needed to carry out their role within a national security system.

Military Command

• A national security system establishes command and control over military forces, which exist to protect a nation when attacked or defend national interests overseas, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This includes setting up a command hierarchy and a framework for the weapons systems used by military forces and securing the communications networks that oversee military command. Both military and intelligence missions or activities are separate branches that work together within the framework of a national security system.