DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
(C) 5-Eyes Global Network Forum
FROM:
GCHQ Integree, Link Access Planning and Requirements Division (S3341)
Run Date: 07/07/2004
(C) In mid June, 15 representatives from NSA traveled to CSE in Ottawa, Canada to attend the
inaugural 5 Eyes Global Network Forum (GNF), and were joined by members from DSD, GCSB,
GCHQ and CSE* to establish a ground-breaking forum that will address the challenge of global
network access from a 5 Eyes perspective.
(U) Here's why ...
(S//SI) During recent years, there have been significant shifts in the way targets communicate
across the globe, as well as an ever-increasing number of tools that enable rapid and effective
connection to the global net from almost any position on the surface of the earth. From a
SIGINT perspective, this has forced a fundamental change in the way we approach Global
Network communications.
(S//SI) Our target's use of commercial services have highlighted the need to coordinate
collection efforts across all available accesses in order to more effectively exploit the Global
Network. This approach stresses cooperation among the 5 Eyes partners on access availability
and the need to take full advantage of each partner's finite resources.
(TS//SI) The agenda for the three-day conference was comprehensive, with Heads of Delegation
keen to define the structure and governance of the GNF in addition to addressing topics
coordinated in the months prior to the forum. Of particular interest were the ratification of the
GNF charter and the documents proposing mechanisms to address the sharing of sensitive data
to a wider audience across the 5 Eyes Intelligence Community.
(TS//SI) There was a positive atmosphere from the start of the conference, with each agency
very willing to play a role in the success of the GNF. The GNF accepted the challenging
responsibility for developing the strategic vision for the 5 Eyes Intelligence Community across
Global Network accesses in accordance with the 5 Eyes SIGINT Business Vision (SIGINT
Strategic Action - Access). Initially, this will include COMSAT, Special Source and STATEROOM ,
and will cover:
cross-agency architectural and technical solutions (where appropriate),
Operational planning and Mission Management,
coherent SIGINT Development and
Sustained Collection.
The GNF will be led by a Senior Steering Group (SSG) consisting of the representative of each
agency attending the GNF as Head of Delegation.
(U//FOUO) Thanks to background work with the partners prior to the conference, several
agreements were reached and the first GNF was a great success. To maintain the impetus
generated at the inaugural forum, the next iteration of the GNF will be held at NSA in early
December 2004. Stay tuned for more details...
*(U) Notes:
CSE = Canada's Communications Security Establishment
DSD = Australia's Defence Signals Directorate
GCSB = New Zealand's Government Communications Security Bureau
GCHQ = the UK's Government Communications Headquarters
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108