Protected Distribution System (PDS)
- An approved telecommunications systems to which electromagnetic and physical safeguards have been applied to permit safe electric transmission of unencrypted sensitive information. (AR 380-380)
- A telecommunications system to which acoustical, electrical, electromagnetic and physical safeguards have been applied to permit its use for secure electrical or optical transmission of unencrypted classified information or sensitive unclassified information. (DOE 5637. 1; JCS PUB 6-03. 7)
- An approved wire line and/or fiber optics system to which adequate acoustical, electrical, electromagnetic, and physical safeguards have been applied to permit its use for the transmission of unencrypted classified information. The associated facilities include all equipment and wire lines so safeguarded. Major components are wire lines, and/or fiber optics, subscriber sets, and terminal equipment. Also known as an "approved circuit. " The major components are defined as follows: a. Distribution System. --The metallic wirepaths or fiber optic transmission paths providing interconnection between components of the protected system. b. Subscriber Sets and End Terminal Equipments. --The complete assembly of equipment, exclusive of interconnecting wire lines, located on the end-user's or customer's premises. This includes such items as telephones, teletypewriters, facsimile data sets, input-output devices, switchboards, patchboards, and consoles. (NACSIM 5203)
- A wireline or fiber-optics system which includes adequate acoustical, electrical, electromagnetic, and physical safeguards to permit its use for the transmission of unencrypted classified information. NOTE: A complete PDS includes the subscriber and terminal equipment, as well as the interconnecting lines. (NCSC-9)
- A telecommunications system to which electromagnetic and physical safeguards have been applied to permit secure transmission of unencrypted classified information, and which has been approved by the department or agency. The associated facilities include all equipment and lines so safeguarded. Major components are lines (wire or fiber optic), subscriber sets, and terminal equipment. Also known as approved circuit. (NACSIM 5203)