COMSEC courses
Overview
The Communications Security (COMSEC) curriculum offers Government of Canada (GC) and private sector company’s personnel an introduction to a subset of Information Technology Security (ITS). The protection of information transmitted by electrical means, and of certain electronic emissions associated with sensitive (classified or protected) information, involves the use of specialized technical, operational, and physical security measures. The courses offered by the Learning Hub (LH) will allow the participant to gain a thorough understanding of COMSEC fundamentals, policies, equipment and software. This training will also articulate the requirement for employing appropriate COMSEC management practices and the need for exercising vigilance when processing sensitive information.
Requirements
Only personnel who work within an approved COMSEC account or require access to Accountable COMSEC Material to perform their duties are eligible to attend (except for courses COM101C – COMSEC in the GC, and CRY101C – Cryptographic Security in the GC, which are open to everyone).
Security Clearance Requirements
A valid security clearance and validation of your Canadian citizenship may be required prior to attend some COMSEC related courses. If this is the case, we will require your full name and date of birth, and our Personnel Security office will be in touch with your corresponding departmental office to conduct this verification.
Mandatory Training for COMSEC Custodians and Alternate COMSEC Custodians
- COMSEC Custodians and Alternate COMSEC Custodians must attend formal COMSEC Account Management training (COM102C or COM103C) within (6) six months of appointment.
- In addition to course COM102C or COM103C, COMSEC Custodians and Alternate COMSEC Custodians are required to undertake training applicable to their account’s accounting systems (such as DIAS and/or GC KMI).
- COMSEC Custodians and Alternate COMSEC Custodians should also complete formal cryptographic equipment training prior to operating or handling cryptographic equipment.
For more information, please consult the table below:
| Course Number and Title | Notes |
|---|---|
| COM102C – COMSEC Account Management | COMSEC Custodians and Local Element Managers (LEM) must complete within 6 months of appointment |
| COM201C – Government of Canada Key Management Infrastructure (GC KMI) COM202C – Distributed INFOSEC Accounting System (DIAS) |
COMSEC Custodians and LEMs must complete prior to assumption of duties if their account uses these accounting/management system(s) |
| COM104C – Controlling Authority/Command Authority Key Material Support Plan (KMSP) | Cryptonet Authorities must complete within 6 months of appointment |
| COM114S – Departmental COMSEC Authority Essentials | Departmental COMSEC Authority (DCA) and Enterprise COMSEC Authority (ECA) must complete within 6 months of appointment |
| COM206S – COMSEC Custodian Refresher | COMSEC Custodians must complete 5 years after initial completion of COM102C, and every 5 years thereafter |
| COM105C – Data Transfer Device (DTD) COM107C – Simple Key Loader (SKL) COM108C – Tactical Key Loader (TKL) |
Recommended if your account uses a Tier Three Management Device (T3MD) |
| COM111C – vIPer | Recommended if your account uses a SCIP device |
| COM205C – TACLANE In-Line Network Encryptor | Recommended if your account uses TACLANEs |
| COM112C – Eclypt Encryption Drives | Recommended if your account uses Eclypt |
| COM204C – Cryptographic Key Management and Ordering | Recommended for Cryptonet Authorities and Product Requestors |
If you have any questions regarding the recommended and mandatory training based on the Information Technology Security Bulletin (ITSB-163), please contact COMSEC Client Services (CCS) at comsec@cyber.gc.ca or 613-991-8565.
Knowledge Checks / Tests
While most courses administer knowledge checks and quizzes throughout the training, only courses COM102C, COM103C, COM201C and COM205C have final exams to ensure knowledge retention. A passing mark is required to be qualified as COMSEC custodian and/or TACLANE administrator.
Additional Courses to Consider
The LH offers several additional courses that may benefit COMSEC custodians in the performance of their duties. These courses can be considered electives, or contextual:
COMSEC Training for DND/CAF COMSEC Custodians
All DND/CAF COMSEC custodians are required to communicate with 766 Comms Squadron for their COMSEC account management training. For all other COMSEC related courses (e.g., SKL, TACLANE), all DND/CAF COMSEC staff are eligible to take training with the Cyber Centre Learning Hub.