5 FAH-2 H-800
OPERATIONAL READINESS
OPERATIONAL READINESS
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT/EI/NT)
5 FAH-2 H-811 TERMS
(CT:TEL-95; 09-05-2023)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. Operational readiness of telecommunications systems is defined as the optimum availability of systems, applications, equipment, and personnel to meet the requirement. Operational readiness is achieved through preventive maintenance, including testing at least annually as determined by the post Information Management Officer (IMO) or Emergency Action Committee (EAC), training, and redundancy. (see 5 FAM 850 Contingency Planning Policy for Information Technology and Systems)
b. Redundancy is defined as the stocking of spare equipment and parts to replace inoperable components, prevent system failure, and ensure continuity of operations.
5 FAH-2 H-812 RESPONSIBILITIES
5 FAH-2 H-812.1 Information Programs Center (IPC)
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
a. The IPC is responsible for the operational readiness of the following:
(1) Transmission equipment to include, but not limited to satellite systems, networking equipment, multiplexing systems, etc;
(2) The classified LAN (ClassNet) to include network equipment, workstations, and peripherals;
(3) The telephone Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system, telephone instruments, and peripherals to include secure instruments such as the Secure Voice Equipment (SVE);
(4) The Emergency and Evacuation (E&E) radio networks to include repeaters, base stations, secure and non-secure mobile and handheld radios;
(5) The high frequency radio network to include base stations and antennae;
(6) Emergency and contingency communications capabilities which may include Department of State-owned satellite phones, emergency satellite data systems, and satellite radio systems;
(7) Transient Electro Magnetic Pulse Emanation Standard (TEMPEST) or Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) personal computer systems used to process classified material in Controlled Access Areas (CAA); and
(8) The Information Systems Center (ISC) is responsible for computer Local Area Network (LAN) systems that process unclassified material, i.e., OpenNet. The ISC is also responsible for configuring and installing Department owned, approved, and authorized Dedicated Internet Network (DIN) equipment (see 5 FAM 872 DIN).
b. Posts' Information management staff are responsible for first-level maintenance on the equipment listed above. First-level maintenance means identifying equipment faults, tracing faults to the component level and replacing faulty components with operable spares. The IMO should ensure that IPC personnel are trained to operate and maintain IPC equipment.
c. Each IPC/ISC must stock sufficient redundant equipment and parts to provide continuity of service for the systems that IPC/ISC maintains. To support an inventory of spare equipment, IPC/ISC should stock at least one spare. If the inventory contains more than 10 items, IPC/ISC should stock at least 1 spare component for each 10. Refer to 14 FAM 400 for inventory control procedures.
d. The ranking IM officer at post (normally the IMO or IPO) is the accountable property officer (APO) for all information and communications technology (ICT) program property and is responsible for conducting annual inventories of this equipment. The APO will ensure the proper receipt of, and inventorying of, all equipment using the Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS). Accountable property is defined in 14 FAM 411.4 Definitions. Program property is defined in 14 FAM 411.4 as “specialized property associated with a unique program where the overall management and technical expertise are controlled by a single bureau or agency, and which is generally funded by that bureau or agency (e.g., Department-owned motor vehicles, secure telephones, radios, tempest PCs, and security equipment).” Program property listed in 5 FAH-2 H-812.1 paragraph a may be funded by DT, the regional bureau or post. This includes equipment that may have been purchased and used by other agencies but is tracked and/or maintained through DT resources.
e. The IMO or Information Programs Officer (IPO), as appropriate, is the principal communications and ICT subject matter expert at post, and as such is strongly encouraged to participate as an active member of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC). The IMO/IPO provides oversight of critical post communication infrastructure assets. It is essential that the IMO/IPO maintain a primary role in the formulation of post emergency policies and procedures to ensure that operational responsibility for these assets is considered and addressed. Crisis situations can develop rapidly. Consequently, the IMO/IPO’s ability to assess critical communication vulnerabilities as early as possible is essential to formulating responses, mitigating risks, and ensuring that responses are carried out effectively and efficiently so that communication is possible during times of crisis.
5 FAH-2 H-812.2 Regional Information Management Center (RIMC)
(CT:TEL-95; 09-05-2023)
(State only)
RIMC supports post’s telecommunications systems by supplying maintenance from qualified information management technical specialist (IMTS) personnel who specialize in the Department’s radio, telephone and data systems. IMTS personnel are certified to maintain systems beyond first-level repairs. To guarantee operational readiness the Information Management Officer (IMO) should coordinate with RIMC any maintenance that exceeds the technical expertise of IPC personnel.
5 FAH-2 H-812.3 Office of Logistics Operations (A/LM/OPS)
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(State only)
a. The Office of Logistics Operations distributes, stores, and tracks DT equipment and supplies and coordinates equipment and supply purchases, while A/LM/PMP/PM, through Integrated Logistics Management System's (ILMS) asset management, maintains the inventory of all accountable DT equipment and Diplomatic Telecommunications Program Office (DTS-PO)-controlled items located in domestic facilities and posts abroad.
b. The Office of Logistic Operations (A/LM/OPS) also directs and controls all DT requests for equipment, spare parts, and logistical support, including shipping, receiving, warehousing, and related material management.
5 FAH-2 H-812.4 Office of Acquisitions Management (A/OPE/AQM)
(CT:TEL-95; 09-05-2023)
(State only)
The Office of Acquisitions Management (A/OPE/AQM) manages the procurement of equipment from U.S. vendors for post Controlled Access Areas (CAAs) and assists with expendable supply orders. (see 5 FAM 915 GENERAL IT ACQUISITION POLICIES)
5 FAH-2 H-812.5 Technical Security and Safeguards Division (DT/OPS/ITI/TSS)
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
The Technical Security and Safeguards Division (DT/OPS/ITI/TSS) provides technical security services for posts abroad, including:
(1) Coordination of secure procurement and shipment;
(2) Secure maintenance services; and
(3) Defensive technical counterintelligence.
5 FAH-2 H-813 REPAIR AND RETURN PROCEDURES
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Uniform all agencies)
For repair and return procedures of DT equipment, refer to 5 FAH-2 H-840. Repair and return of consular section equipment should be coordinated through the CA Service Desk (CAServiceDesk@state.gov)
5 FAH-2 H-814 THROUGH H-819 UNASSIGNED