Information security
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Understand the information security lifecycle
- Understand what information and ICT systems you need to protect
- Assess the risks to your information security
- Design fit-for-purpose information security measures
- Implement your information security measures
- Validate your security measures
- Operate and maintain to stay secure
- Review your security measures
- Retire information securely
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Communication security
Communication security (COMSEC) safeguards reduce the threat of unauthorised people gaining access to your communications.
COMSEC includes cryptography, transmission security, emission security, traffic-flow security, and physical security of COMSEC equipment.
Your organisation should use mitigation strategies to reduce the threat of unauthorised access to communications. Encrypt all communications during transmission. You may need high-grade cryptographic equipment.
The standards relevant to these requirements are:
- NZCSP 301 Safeguarding Communications Security (COMSEC) Material. This standard provides the minimum security requirements for the control and accountability of communications security material within New Zealand Government and agencies.
- New Zealand Communications Security Standard No. 400 (NZCSS 400). This standard provides a minimum standard of installation engineering for all New Zealand Government agencies, organisations, or personnel concerned with the planning or engineering of New Zealand installations processing protectively-marked information.
- New Zealand Information Security Manual
The Communications Security Standards are classified documents. For more information, contact:
Government Communications Security Bureau
Pipitea House, 1-15 Pipitea Street
Thorndon, Wellington
Phone (04) 819-8200
Email: ism@gcsb.govt.nz
If you have technical questions on cryptographic products, contact:
Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), Manager, Cryptographic Services
Phone: (04) 472-6881
Fax: (04) 499-3701
Email: cryptohelpdesk@gcsb.govt.nz
Page last modified: 28/03/2023