5 FAH-2 H-620
MANAGING POST TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT/EI/NT/ITL)
5 FAH-2 H-621 MAINTENANCE
(CT:TEL-92; 08-14-2023)
(Uniform all agencies)
Non-secure telephone equipment must be procured, installed, and maintained in accordance with security standards appropriate to the technical threat level of the post. Specific maintenance procedures depend on the type of telephone system and level of training of Information Program Center (IPC) staff. All posts abroad should follow the general guidelines below and develop specific procedures unique to post's needs:
(1) Document post's procedures, update telephone system(s) programming records, and keep them on file in the IPC;
(2) Swap defective components immediately with operable spares and send defective components for repair and return in accordance with 5 FAH-2 H-621.5;
(3) Stock enough spare components to keep the system continually and fully operational. As a minimum, one spare for each unique telephone item in post’s inventory and multiple spares for a larger volume of like items;
(4) Update the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) inventory when parts are sent to the Department for repair and when replacements are received at post; and
(5) Maintain the operational status of call accounting systems, if used.
5 FAH-2 H-621.1 Controlled Access Areas
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
The following security standards govern the maintenance and daily operations of telephone equipment and circuitry located inside controlled-access areas (CAAs) of all Department facilities, regardless of threat level. See 12 FAH-6 OSPB Security Standards Handbook, for additional, threat-specific security standards:
(1) Only TOP SECRET-cleared U.S. citizens may maintain telephones used in CAAs;
(2) Instruments used in CAAs must be TSG-approved or installed with TSG-approved disconnect devices;
(3) The post Counterintelligence Working Group (CIWG) must approve private or direct outside lines that are not administered through posts' telephone system(s). Such telephones must be installed with a TSG-approved disconnect at the point of telephone wire entry into the CAA;
(4) Telephone equipment for CAAs must be transported to the site by secure transport under 24-hour control of Secret-cleared U.S. citizens or by appropriate U.S. government-approved technical means and seal. Store equipment in CAAs within a locked and alarmed area or place equipment in secure storage protected by a cleared U.S. presence on a 24-hour basis;
(5) Diplomatic Security (DS) prohibits non-secure cellular telephones and convenience telephone accessories, such as speaker phones, cordless telephones, and stand-alone answering machines;
(6) DS and DT must approve optional features of posts' telephone system(s) , such as voice mail, auto attendant, and call distribution, prior to implementation;
(7) Posts' telephone system(s) and main distribution frames (MDFs) for telephones installed inside a CAA must be located in a CAA or within a locked and alarmed room; and
(8) IPC must control access to IDFs that support telephone instruments or circuits in the CAA.
5 FAH-2 H-621.2 Outside Controlled-Access Areas
(CT:TEL-92; 08-14-2023)
(Uniform all agencies)
Unescorted LE Staff may repair and maintain telephone circuitry and instruments located outside CAAs. LE Staff access to posts' telephone system(s) and MDF may be prohibited or limited to escorted access. Post's Regional Security Office (RSO) makes the determination, as appropriate, in accordance with 12 FAH-6, OSPB Security Standards and Policy Handbook, and the DS-assigned technical threat level.
5 FAH-2 H-621.3 Remote Maintenance Restrictions
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
a. Remote maintenance and diagnostic services, and centralized maintenance allows a remote site to access posts' telephone system(s) local software and perform maintenance diagnostics, polling, and programming functions. These functions may be performed only with the concurrence of the post. Post must be made fully aware of any reconfiguration or changes that are proposed to its telephone system(s). In a diagnostic and corrective action scenario, it is understood that the action required may not be known in advance. However, a complete recapitulation of the actions taken must be provided to post when the maintenance or restoral action has been completed.
b. Routine remote maintenance or diagnostics may be conducted only from cleared facilities over secure communications links.
c. In an isolated instance, if a remote maintenance procedure over an unsecured communication link is necessary, it may be provided by an uncleared facility over a non-secure communication link. This provision also applies if the technical ability for a secure link does not exist at a particular post. If remote maintenance is performed over an unsecured link, the following restrictions must be adhered to:
(1) The facility performing remote maintenance must not be able to access posts' telephone system(s) except through a port dedicated to infrequent activity;
(2) Unless in use, the remote maintenance port must remain disconnected from all trunks and lines leaving posts' telephone system room(s). If modems are required for remote maintenance, they must be disconnected from the remote maintenance port when not in use; and
(3) Initiation of a remote maintenance activity and the connection between the remote maintenance port and facility must be by an authorized person from within posts' telephone system.
d. IPC personnel should be familiar with post’s telephone system(s) remote maintenance capability. However, at those posts where there is no information management specialist assigned or IPC personnel have not been afforded the opportunity to obtain specific telephone system training, the remote facility conducting remote maintenance and diagnostics or centralized maintenance activity is still required to obtain concurrence from the responsible party at post. IPO should consult DT/FO/ITI/LWS/FPT to ensure that post’s telephone system(s) is configured to allow remote maintenance under the security restrictions approved by DS.
5 FAH-2 H-621.4 Direct Inward System Access (DISA)
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
The DISA feature of posts' telephone system(s) programming must be disabled. If uncertain about how to disable this feature or confirm that it is disabled, consult the area RIMC or DT/FO/ITI/LWS/FPT.
5 FAH-2 H-621.5 Repair and Return Procedures
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
a. The repair of CIPE, radio, and telephone systems will all be handled in a similar manner, the same process that has been in place for ADP equipment located inside the CAA. Posts should submit a ServiceNow ticket for repair or return equipment using the following OpenNet link: Service Now. As a secondary option, posts may still send an official telegram to USOFFICE ITECH WASHDC, SECSTATE WASHDC and the appropriate RIMC. This telegram should be assigned TAGS AMTC, ACOA, and KRIM. A slug line must be included for the Customer Service Exchange Activity (DT/FO/ITI/LWS/DSB), the respective regional bureau, and the cognizant maintenance provider:
CIPE/ADP - DT/FO/ITI/LWS/DSB
Radio - DT/FO/ITL/LWS/RPB
Telephone - DT/FO/ITI/LWS/FPT
b. The telegram should request a “Return Authorization Number” (RAN) and provide registry number, model number, and serial number of equipment requiring repair. DSB will then provide the RAN so that post may return the equipment. All equipment should be returned to:
Department of State
ATTN: GITM for LWS/DSB
7001 Newington Rd, Suite 200
Lorton, VA 22079
RAN # ____
c. Posts must request a RAN prior to returning the equipment. This allows time for LWS to obtain regional bureau clearance for repair or replacement of the faulty equipment. This includes equipment being sent back for warranty repair, since that does incur a handling expense and the regional bureaus must be able to track all expenses.
5 FAH-2 H-622 CALL ACCOUNTING
(CT:TEL-92; 08-14-2023)
(Uniform all agencies)
a. A call accounting system is an effective method to track recurring calling patterns, to ensure that users comply with policies for placing official calls, and to determine costs of calls. Detailed call accounting information must be safeguarded and disseminated only on a need-to-know basis according to 12 FAH-6, OSPB Security Standards and Policy Handbook.
b. Post management and the ranking IM officer determine post’s need for a call accounting system. The IM officer should consult the RIMC to decide which type of call accounting system to procure and for current vendor information.
5 FAH-2 H-623 PROCUREMENT
5 FAH-2 H-623.1 POST TELEPHONE SYSTEM(S)
(CT:TEL-92; 08-14-2023)
(Uniform State only)
The senior IM officer at post consults with the RIMC and post management to decide when to replace a telephone system. The IM officer submits the formal request for funding in the IM section of post’s Mission Performance Plan. The request must include estimates for the total cost of the equipment and installation and address the justification criteria below:
(1) Capacity of current telephone systems for expansion with regard to a projected increase in the number of users, instruments, or telephone lines;
(2) Age, reliability of equipment, availability of spare parts;
(3) A change in security standards applied to post;
(4) Change in business needs linked to the Department’s regional bureaus or post’s mission; and
(5) Measurable improvement in efficiency of a new system over an existing system, i.e., automated functions to replace human resource requirements.
5 FAH-2 H-623.2 Procurement Responsibility
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(State only)
a. Coordinate all procurement requests with RIMC and DT/FO/ITI/LWS/FPT. FPT will organize a needs assessment survey conducted by RIMC and/or FPT representatives, in consultation with post management and the ranking IM officer. FPT will then coordinate procuring, shipping, inventorying, and installing the new system with RIMC and post’s IM officer. A/LM/OPS/WLC/MAT is responsible for ordering telephone equipment, from the central investment fund for major post telephone system upgrades, or bureau and/or post funds for ancillary systems or individual components. Once funding is provided, A/LM/OPS/WLC/MAT will submit the order for the post and advise the vendor of the method for shipment as prescribed by the post.
b. If the vendor is to ship the equipment via Department shipping channels, A/LM/OPS/WLC/MAT must concur, and funds must be provided to cover the cost of shipment from SA-21. A/LM/OPS/WLC/MAT will not accept equipment from vendors that was purchased by posts unless they have previously received copies of formal purchase requests or telegraphic orders. The correct address for shipping through Department channels is:
Department of State
(Post Name)
A/LM/OPS
10377 Mordor Drive, SA-10A
Lorton, VA 22079
5 FAH-2 H-623.3 Supplemental Components
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
Post must fund call accounting systems, telephone sets, replacement circuit cards, telephone system expansion cards, and other supplemental telephone components. Coordinate all procurement requests with RIMC and DT/FO/ITI/LWS/FPT. RIMC will ensure that supplemental components are compatible with post’s telephone system and advise if the Department provides maintenance support for proposed purchases. A/LM will track the purchase order from the Department through receipt at post and ensure that items are properly bar-coded and sent to post through the appropriate pouch channels.
5 FAH-2 H-624 THROUGH H-629 UNASSIGNED