Topic

Off-hook audio protection

Applicable to

Official, Protected, Secret, Top Secret

History

Priority

recommended

Dec 2021

In SECRET and TOP SECRET areas, push-to-talk handsets or push-to-talk headsets are used to meet any off-hook audio protection requirements.

Miscellaneous changes were made to rationale and security controls throughout the publication. This included:

• A review from the Using the Information Security Manual chapter through to the Guidelines for Media chapter.

• Security controls suitable for all audiences have been identified with the ‘All’ applicability marking while additional security controls suitable for just government audiences have been identified with the O, P, S and TS applicability markings.

• Security controls suitable for specific classifications have been amended to include their classification(s) in the wording of the security controls to reduce the reliance on applicability markings to confer suitability.

• Tables in security controls have been converted into prose to allow for inclusion in the SSP annex template and the XML list of security controls.

• The use of ‘official’ and ‘highly classified’ terminology has been replaced with specific classifications to remove ambiguity.

• Security controls relating to high assurance ICT equipment have had their applicability narrowed to ‘S, TS’ reflecting that they are intended for the protection of SECRET and TOP SECRET systems and data.

Dec 2020

In SECRET areas, push-to-talk handsets or push-to-talk headsets are used on all telephones that are not authorised for the transmission of SECRET information.

Security control 0931 was amended to include push-to-talk headsets.

Nov 2020

In SECRET areas, push-to-talk handsets are used on all telephones that are not authorised for the transmission of SECRET information.

2015

Agencies should use push–to–talk handsets in open areas, and where telephones are shared.

2010

It is recommended agencies use push-to-talk handsets in open areas, and where telephones are shared.