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(U) Media Leaks - Part II (repost)
FROM: SIGINT Communications
Run Date: 12/31/2003
(U) What Happens When a CI Is Discovered?
(U) Once there is a CI, what happens? If a first-time disclosure of classified NSA information
appears in press, NSA's Public Affairs Office notifies DIRNSA and prepares notification letters to
the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and Director of Central Intelligence (DCI). NSA's Office of
the General Counsel (OGC) advises DIRNSA whether the matter involves a possible criminal
case; if so, it is referred to the DOD General Counsel, and then finally to the Department of
Justice for investigation.
(U) Media leaks are rarely prosecuted. Why? Often because they are hard to prove, but in some
cases officials are reluctant to prosecute for fear that the case will attract even more attention
than the original disclosure. (Nevertheless, people who release classified information without
authorization are subject to a range of punishments, from loss of clearance to dismissal to
criminal prosecution.) Meanwhile, the OPI at NSA scrambles to minimize (if possible) the
damage from the disclosure, and informs its customers that our capabilities may take a hit.
(U) What Is My Role?
(S//SI) Obviously, Cryptologic Insecurities constitute a real danger to our ability to produce
SIGINT. What can you do about it?
Stay alert for reflections of impairment or denial-or-deception practices by our
adversaries in your target traffic.
If you note an impairment of NSA's ability to collect against a target, please notify
Intelligence Security Issues. They will try to determine if there was a CI.
When watching/reading press reports, remain conscious of potential reflections of SIGINT
information. If you suspect an unauthorized disclosure of classified NSA information,
notify Intelligence Security Issues.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108