Comsec Incident

Primary definition

Any occurrence that potentially jeopardizes the security of COMSEC material or the secure transmission of national security information. COMSEC Incident includes Cryptographic Incident, Personnel Incident, Physical Incident, and Protective Technology/Package Incident. Source: CNSSI No. 4005 (COMSEC); NSA/CSS Manual Number 3-16 (COMSEC)

Also known asCommunications Security Incident · COMSEC breach · COMSEC violation · Cryptographic Incident · Personnel Incident · Physical Incident · Protective Technology Incident · Package Incident
2 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 9, 2026
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015View source
People also ask

What is comsec incident?

The term Comsec Incident refers to a loss of control, misuse, procedural violation, compromise, or suspected compromise involving COMSEC material, cryptographic keys, equipment, or protected communications. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.

How is comsec incident used in cryptography or COMSEC?

In practice, Comsec Incident is applied to the technical or security purpose captured by its definition: a loss of control, misuse, procedural violation, compromise, or suspected compromise involving COMSEC material, cryptographic keys, equipment, or protected communications. Organizations combine that function with documented procedures, authorized access, testing, monitoring, and controls appropriate to the system.

Why does comsec incident need security controls?

Understanding Comsec Incident matters because the concept can affect security, reliability, auditability, or trusted operation. In this glossary context, it refers to a loss of control, misuse, procedural violation, compromise, or suspected compromise involving COMSEC material, cryptographic keys, equipment, or protected communications.

Understand more election terms clearly

Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.

Free. One useful email each week. Unsubscribe anytime.Learn more about the ESG newsletter →
CNSSGC

Any occurrence that potentially jeopardizes the security of COMSEC material or the secure transmission of national security information. COMSEC Incident includes Cryptographic Incident, Personnel Incident, Physical Incident, and Protective Technology/Package Incident. Source: CNSSI No. 4005 (COMSEC); NSA/CSS Manual Number 3-16 (COMSEC)

Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015 · 2024

Cite this term

Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Comsec Incident. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/comsec-incident

Sources

2 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026

01

Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015

High consensus

View source

02

The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary

Disputed

View source

Get the weekly election term

Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.

Get election terms explained weekly →
Free · Nonpartisan · Unsubscribe anytime.
Continue Research

Keep going from here

Three ways to go deeper on communications and adjacent terminology.