PROTECTION OF COMMUNICATIONS
Enemy interception and disruption of
communications are of primary concern to any
communications planner. Every facet of
communications facilities, methods, and procedures
needs to be examined in terms of security, vulnerability
to deception, and the electronic protection (EP) required
for maximum protection.
Communications Security
Security is the safeguarding of information. As it
pertains to communications, security is usually referred
to in terms of communications security (COMSEC) and
signal security (SIGSEC). Security will be discussed in
more depth in chapter 3. Various devices and
procedures are used to increase security, including:
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Authentication— A security measure designed
to protect communications systems against
acceptance of false transmissions or simulations
by establishing the validity of a transmission,
message, or originator.
Codes— Any system of communication in
which arbitrary groups of symbols represent
units of plain text. Codes are often used for
brevity and/or security.
Ciphers— Any cryptologic system in which
arbitrary symbols or groups of symbols represent
units of plain text.
Radio Silence— A condition in which all or
certain radio equipment is kept inoperative
(frequency band and/or types of equipment are
specified).
Monitoring— The act of listening, carrying out
surveillance on, and/or recording the emissions
of one’s own or allied forces for the purpose of
maintaining and improving procedural standards
and Security.
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)— A system
using electromagnetic transmissions to which
equipment carried by friendly forces
automatically responds. For example, by
emitting predetermined IFF pulses, friendly
forces can distinguish themselves from enemy
forces.
Communications Deception
Communications deception, part of the field of
tactical deception, is the use of devices, operations, and
techniques with the intent of confusing or misleading
the user of a communications link or a navigation
system.
EA and EP
Electronic attack (EA) is that division of electronic
warfare (EW) involving actions taken to prevent or
reduce an enemy’s effective use of the electromagnetic
spectrum. Enemy EA concerns the communications
planner because overcoming enemy jamming and
deception imposes certain restrictions on general
communications operations procedures.
Electronic protection (EP) is that division of EW
involving actions taken to ensure friendly effective use
of the electromagnetic spectrum despite an enemy’s use
of electronic warfare. The planner must be aware of EP
capabilities available.
THE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
The communications plan satisfies the
communications requirements of an operation. It
specifies circuits, channels, and facilities to be used and
stipulates the policies and procedures that are
applicable. The plan is, in effect, an assignment of
communications tasks to be performed by subordinate
commanders or by supporting commands.
The planner first establishes requirements for
communications and then determines the best means for
satisfying them. This process may reveal shortages or
inadequacies in what is available. If inadequacies are
identified, it may become necessary to share circuits or
facilities, as well as merging or consolidating
requirements. All possibilities should be considered to
support valid operational requirements.
In planning communications, the planner must
evaluate such factors as the performance, capabilities,
and capacities of systems, facilities, and personnel.
These factors are merely guides and averages. They
represent the sum result of experience in previous
similar situations, and are considered only after any
local factors are determined. These factors change from
time to time and must all be available for final
determination of communications requirements.
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