DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 2201.3C
N2N6
22 May 2020
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 2201.3C
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY MONITORING OF NAVY
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
Ref: (a) NTISSD No 600, National Telecommunications and Information System Security
(NTISS) Communications Security (COMSEC) Monitoring, 10 April 1990 (NOTAL)
(b) DoD Instruction 8523.01 of 22 April 2008
(c) DoD Instruction 8560.01 of 22 August 2008
Encl: (1) COMSEC Monitoring Terms and Definitions
(2) Procedures for COMSEC Monitoring of Telecommunications and IT Systems
1. Purpose
a. To establish policy, procedures, and responsibilities governing communications security
(COMSEC) monitoring within the Navy in compliance with references (a) through (c).
b. The 2000 series instructions apply to telecommunications and digital systems support.
Changes to this instruction include updates to Navy organizational responsibilities and
governance to align with current guidance.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 2201.3B
3. Scope and Applicability. The provisions of this instruction are applicable to the U.S. Navy,
including Government civilians, members of the active and reserve units, all contractors assigned
to Navy activities, and all personnel who conduct contracted service for the Navy (e.g., research,
development, test and evaluation agencies and their contracted agents).
4. Background
a. COMSEC monitoring is the act of listening to, copying, or recording transmissions of
official telecommunications on organizational communications equipment in order to analyze the
degree of security. This instruction establishes authority for implementing COMSEC monitoring
in the Navy and addresses responsibilities necessary for compliance with references (a), (b), and
(c). Specifically, this instruction governs monitoring of Navy organizational communications
equipment, telephone, and information technology (IT) systems equipment.
