Communications Security

What Does Communications Security Mean?

Communications security (COMSEC) ensures the security of telecommunications confidentiality and integrity – two information assurance (IA) pillars. Generally, COMSEC may refer to the security of any information that is transmitted, transferred or communicated.

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Techopedia Explains Communications Security

There are five COMSEC security types:

Cryptosecurity: This encrypts data, rendering it unreadable until the data is decrypted.
Emission Security (EMSEC): This prevents the release or capture of emanations from equipment, such as cryptographic equipment, thereby preventing unauthorized interception.
Physical Security: This ensures the safety of, and prevents unauthorized access to, cryptographic information, documents and equipment.
Traffic-Flow Security: This hides messages and message characteristics flowing on a network.
Transmission Security (TRANSEC): This protects transmissions from unauthorized access, thereby preventing interruption and harm.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…