Defence Signals Directorate
Encyclopedia
Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) is an Australian government
intelligence agency
responsible for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and information security
(INFOSEC).
Based in Canberra
, at the Defence Headquarters at Russell Offices
it operates monitoring facilities at Kojarena
, Western Australia and at Shoal Bay
, Northern Territory
, which are believed to be part of the ECHELON
system. It may also play a role in Pine Gap
.
Under the 1948 UKUSA agreement, DSD's intelligence is shared with its foreign partner agencies:
Electronic warfare
operators in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals
work closely with the Defence Signals Directorate.
(ADSCS), located at Kojarena, near Geraldton in Western Australia, and the Shoal Bay Receiving Station
, located at Shoal Bay, Northern Territory. These stations contribute signals intelligence for many Australian Government bodies, as well as the wider UKUSA partners. The DSD is also presumed to maintain a workforce at Pine Gap
in central Australia.
In addition, it is believed many embassies and overseas missions also provide a return flow of signals intelligence to DSD.
Other Countries
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
intelligence agency
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
responsible for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and information security
Information security
Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, perusal, inspection, recording or destruction....
(INFOSEC).
Overview
According to its website, DSD has two principal functions:- to collect and disseminate foreign signals intelligence;
- to provide information security products and services to the Australian Government and its Defence Force.
Based in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, at the Defence Headquarters at Russell Offices
Russell Offices
The Russell Offices is a complex of office buildings located in the Canberra suburb of Russell.Together with Campbell Park, these two complexes are home to the Australian Department of Defence and contain the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force.The Office of National...
it operates monitoring facilities at Kojarena
Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station
The Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station is located at Kojarena, 30 km east of Geraldton, Western Australia. The ADSCS is part of the US signals intelligence and analysis network ECHELON...
, Western Australia and at Shoal Bay
Shoal Bay Receiving Station
Shoal Bay Receiving Station is a signals intelligence-gathering facility, located on the shores of Shoal Bay, from Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory...
, Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
, which are believed to be part of the ECHELON
ECHELON
ECHELON is a name used in global media and in popular culture to describe a signals intelligence collection and analysis network operated on behalf of the five signatory states to the UK–USA Security Agreement...
system. It may also play a role in Pine Gap
Pine Gap
Pine Gap is the commonly used name for a satellite tracking station at, some south-west of the town of Alice Springs in the centre of Australia which is operated by both Australia and the United States. The facility has become a key part of the local economy.It consists of a large computer complex...
.
Under the 1948 UKUSA agreement, DSD's intelligence is shared with its foreign partner agencies:
- National Security AgencyNational Security AgencyThe National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
(NSA) United States - Government Communications HeadquartersGovernment Communications HeadquartersThe Government Communications Headquarters is a British intelligence agency responsible for providing signals intelligence and information assurance to the UK government and armed forces...
(GCHQ) United Kingdom - Communications Security EstablishmentCommunications Security EstablishmentThe Communications Security Establishment Canada is the Canadian government's national cryptologic agency. Administered under the Department of National Defence , it is charged with the duty of keeping track of foreign signals intelligence , and protecting Canadian government electronic...
(CSE) Canada - Government Communications Security BureauGovernment Communications Security BureauThe Government Communications Security Bureau is an intelligence agency of the New Zealand government.The mission statement is given as:To contribute to the national security of New Zealand through:...
(GCSB) New Zealand
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
operators in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals
Royal Australian Corps of Signals
The Royal Australian Corps of Signals is one of the 'arms' of the Australian Army. It is responsible for installing, maintaining and operating all types of telecommunications equipment and information systems...
work closely with the Defence Signals Directorate.
Facilities
The DSD operates at least two receiving stations: the Australian Defence Satellite Communications StationAustralian Defence Satellite Communications Station
The Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station is located at Kojarena, 30 km east of Geraldton, Western Australia. The ADSCS is part of the US signals intelligence and analysis network ECHELON...
(ADSCS), located at Kojarena, near Geraldton in Western Australia, and the Shoal Bay Receiving Station
Shoal Bay Receiving Station
Shoal Bay Receiving Station is a signals intelligence-gathering facility, located on the shores of Shoal Bay, from Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory...
, located at Shoal Bay, Northern Territory. These stations contribute signals intelligence for many Australian Government bodies, as well as the wider UKUSA partners. The DSD is also presumed to maintain a workforce at Pine Gap
Pine Gap
Pine Gap is the commonly used name for a satellite tracking station at, some south-west of the town of Alice Springs in the centre of Australia which is operated by both Australia and the United States. The facility has become a key part of the local economy.It consists of a large computer complex...
in central Australia.
In addition, it is believed many embassies and overseas missions also provide a return flow of signals intelligence to DSD.
Naming
The Directorate has operated under a number of different names since its founding:- 1947 – Defence Signals Bureau established within the Department of Defence
- 1949 – Changes name to Defence Signals Branch
- 1964 – Changes name to Defence Signals Division
- 1978 – Changes name to Defence Signals Directorate
See also
- Australian intelligence agencies
- EspionageEspionageEspionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
- ECHELONECHELONECHELON is a name used in global media and in popular culture to describe a signals intelligence collection and analysis network operated on behalf of the five signatory states to the UK–USA Security Agreement...
Other Countries
- NSA United States
- GCHQ UK
- Communications Security EstablishmentCommunications Security EstablishmentThe Communications Security Establishment Canada is the Canadian government's national cryptologic agency. Administered under the Department of National Defence , it is charged with the duty of keeping track of foreign signals intelligence , and protecting Canadian government electronic...
Canada