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)
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.
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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)
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Comsec Incident. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/comsec-incident
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High consensus
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Disputed
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