5 FAH-2 H-120
RESPONSIBILITIES
(CT:TEL-68; 06-25-2018)
(Office of Origin: IRM/BMP/GRP/GP)
5 FAH-2 H-121 BUREAU OF INFORMATION
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (IRM)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) is the
directing authority for planning, developing, acquiring, and maintaining
telecommunication services, voice communication services, automated data
processing, personal computers, local area networks, electronic media products,
and mass data storage for the Department of State and its missions. To achieve
this overall objective, IRM works in conjunction with other bureaus and
delegates responsibility for specific programs and objectives to numerous
support offices. IRM is also tasked to implement information security policy,
create and implement corporate security and system security plans, perform
operational monitoring, and jointly develop guidelines for system security plans.
See 1 FAM 270
for descriptions of supporting IRM offices, divisions, and branches.
5 FAH-2 H-121.1 Information
Assurance (IRM/IA)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The Office of Information Assurance, under the direction
of the chief information security officer (CISO), is responsible for: managing
the agency-wide cyber security program; approval of information assurance
policies, standards, and guidelines; evaluating compliance; developing
guidelines for system security plans; and ensuring compliance with national
directives. These policies, standards, and guidelines are designed to protect
information pertaining to national security and foreign affairs, as well as
information defined as sensitive by the Department of State. The CISO is also
responsible for ensuring that all staff receives the appropriate training and
awareness for their specific roles.
5 FAH-2 H-122 BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC
SECURITY (DS)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is responsible for
developing information security policies to include the information systems
security policies, developing computer security policies, providing security
training, evaluating compliance, jointly developing guidelines for systems
security plans, and coordinating with other agencies regarding personnel
abroad. DS has developed worldwide standards for Department classified and
unclassified automated information systems (AIS). These standards are designed
to protect information pertaining to national security and foreign affairs, as
well as information defined as sensitive by the Department.
5 FAH-2 H-123 EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT-OPERATIONS CENTER (S/ES-O)
(CT:TEL-68; 06-25-2018)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The executive secretariat-operations center (S/ES-O), also
known as the ops center, performs various telecommunications tasks in concert
with IRM/OPS/MSO/MSMC (Main State Messaging Center) to support Department
principals, i.e., the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretaries.
Foreign service and civil service officers staff the ops Center, 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year. S/ES-O communications responsibilities include:
(1) Reviewing telegram distribution for and directing
telephone calls to seventh floor principal officers and senior Department
officials;
(2) Enforcing the proper use of high-precedence
designators and notifying originating posts upon receipt of telegrams with
inappropriate precedence or special handling instructions;
(3) Granting permission to laterally transmit NODIS telegrams;
(4) Assigning dissemination to EXDIS, NODIS, PARTO,
and DEPTO telegrams; and
(5) Providing final clearance on all ALDAC (All
diplomatic and consular posts) telegrams, outgoing NIACT, TOPAR, TODEP, and
TOPOL telegrams, as well as all seventh floor-approved telegrams. See 5 FAH-2
H-237.3, 5
FAH-2 H-423 and 5 FAH-2 H-443
for more information regarding S/ES-O communications responsibilities.
5 FAH-2 H-124 FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE
(FSI)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The school of applied information technology (SAIT),
within the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), provides industry-standard and
Department of State specific technical telecommunications, information
assurance, and information systems management training to IRM personnel and
other personnel with duties related to IRM systems and networks. SAIT
evaluates training methodologies regularly with IT industry standards and
adapts courseware to continuously meet changing technologies and provide
effective training to IM personnel.
5 FAH-2 H-125 REGIONAL INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT CENTER (RIMC)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The regional information management center (RIMC) serves
as both an IRM bureau service and support outreach center for all Department
IRM activities and as a regional network hub supporting a variety of IRM
distributed services to area diplomatic missions. As such, RIMC provides
technical and operation guidance for all computer, communications, radio, and
telephone operations within a regional jurisdiction. To execute IRM policies
consistently, the RIMC staff has regional maintenance and oversight
responsibility. To execute IRM policies, RIMC includes the following in its
scope of operations:
(1) In coordination with the information management officer
(IMO), assisting U.S. Government agencies served by Department missions to meet
their communication requirements;
(2) Representing the Department in arrangements for
communication facilities and personnel to service international or regional
conferences not held at posts abroad;
(3) Assisting in the supervision of facilities
installations at field posts;
(4) Providing technical training for U.S.
and FSN IM personnel assigned to posts within its jurisdiction during site
visits or, at some centers, in RIMC training facilities;
(5) Performing and providing regional distributed
network hub services, systems administration, and information security
supporting area-wide black router, remote dial-in, and other wide area networks
(WAN); and
(6) Conducting COMSEC audits and performing IM
management reviews.
5 FAH-2 H-125.1 RIMC Regional
Director (RIMC/DIR)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(State Only)
The RIMC/DIR is responsible for implementing IRM programs,
which are formulated according to needs prioritized by regional bureaus, IRM,
and post management. The RIMC/DIR manages all IRM activities conducted in
support of posts under the RIMCs jurisdiction, specifically:
(1) Serving as IRM's primary IT policy linkage to a
given region and to diplomatic posts within that region;
(2) Serving as IRM's regional IT policy expert,
providing guidance to chiefs of mission, other senior post officials, and other
agencies operating at post;
(3) Serving as the first contact with engineering
services centers (ESC), regional security officers (RSO), and regional computer
security officers (RCSO) to ensure security requirements are met;
(4) Directing the activities of all information
management technical specialists (IMTS) in the region, and regional information
management specialists (IMS) assigned to the RIMC;
(5) Coordinating DTS operations with the Department,
the posts concerned, DTS-PO, and the Area Telecommunications Office (ATO);
(6) Recommending telecommunications improvements to
post principal officers and the regional bureau, in consultation with posts
senior IMO and IMTSs; and
(7) Providing overall management for the RIMC regional
systems and WAN support operation.
5 FAH-2 H-125.2 Information
Management Technical Specialist (IMTS)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(State Only)
The information management technical specialist (IMTS)
installs and repairs telephone, radio, or digital systems for a post within a
RIMC jurisdiction. Accordingly, the position is designated IMTS/T, IMTS/R, or
IMTS/D. Abroad, unless on temporary duty, the IMTS is assigned or reports to a
RIMC or a RIMC associate office and is supervised by the RIMC regional
director. Specific IMTS responsibilities include:
(1) Performing on-site engineering surveys and
providing guidance in procuring and installing telephone and radio systems in
information and communication facilities;
(2) Performing on-site engineering surveys and
providing guidance in procuring, installing, and operating emergency
communications facilities;
(3) Planning communication installations and upgrades
at posts abroad, in coordination with regional security officers;
(4) Providing special technical assistance for posts
to support visits of high-level officials as directed;
(5) Upgrading computer systems and ensuring proper
integration to meet diplomatic telecommunications service (DTS) and the
Department's OpenNet and ClassNet security and configuration standards for
Department computer systems and providing assistance to other agencies at post;
(6) Coordinating network and information system projects
between the Department and other agencies at posts to ensure adherence to the
Department's OpenNet and ClassNet standards;
(7) Providing a rapid response to information system
and communications failures, to include assistance or instruction provided telephonically,
by e-mail, or by traveling to the affected post;
(8) Representing the RIMC Director and IRM at
satellite RIMC posts during country team and administrative staff meetings; and
(9) Providing technical assistance and training in
support of IM personnel at a post, as may be required.
5 FAH-2 H-126 DIPLOMATIC
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE-PROGRAM OFFICE (DTS-PO)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)
The Diplomatic Telecommunications Service-Program Office
(DTS-PO) is a statutorily mandated office tasked with providing
telecommunications services to all U.S. Government agencies and departments
located at diplomatic missions abroad. See 5 FAH-2 H-512
through 5
FAH-2 H-516 for more information regarding DTS-PO.
5 FAH-2 H-127 POST PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform all agencies)
The principal officer, or management officer acting as a
designee, is responsible for conducting of posts information management
operations according to criteria established by the Department. The principal
officer is also responsible for preparing and maintaining an emergency action
plan, which includes recommended procedures for ensuring the maximum
effectiveness of communications under abnormal conditions. The principal
officer enforces the disciplined use of telegraphic facilities to prevent
congesting telegraphic channels with unnecessary or inappropriate messages. To
achieve this end, the principal officer or a designee approves all drafted
telegrams. The principal officer also includes instructions on the proper use
of telegraphic channels, uniformity of format, and message preparation
procedures in posts orientation program for newly assigned employees.
5 FAH-2 H-128 POST INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT POSITIONS
5 FAH-2 H-128.1 Information Management
Officer (IMO)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The information management officer (IMO) is the senior IM
person at post. The IMO at the embassy is also responsible for IM operations
at constituent posts. The IMO coordinates with post's RSO to ensure DS
security standards are maintained. The IMO serves as the DTS-PO representative
for operations. The IMO, or senior IM specialist, is responsible for ensuring
all relay and transmitting stations connected to the post are notified in advance
of local holidays and other days the IM section will be closed. For complete
details on the roles and responsibilities, refer to 5 FAM 121.1.
5 FAH-2 H-128.2 Information
Programs Officer (IPO)
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The information programs officer (IPO), under the
supervision of the IMO, manages the information programs center (IPC). In
posts where no IMO is assigned, an IPO may be responsible for IMO duties and
responsibilities, depending on the post's staffing configuration. For complete
details on the roles and responsibilities of an IPO, refer to 5 FAM 121.2.
5 FAH-2 H-128.3 Information
Management Specialist (IMS)
(CT:TEL-53; 05-05-2017)
(Uniform State/USAID)
In the broad context of Department positions, information
management specialist (IMS) refers to all IRM employees within the 2880 skill
code. Within the context of IRM, IMSs are all non-supervisory IM personnel.
Although IMSs typically have no supervisory responsibilities, at some posts
they may be assigned supervision of locally employed staff (LE staff). For
complete details of the roles and responsibilities of an IMS, refer to 5 FAM 121.4.
5 FAH-2 H-128.4 Information Systems
Officer (ISO)
(CT:TEL-53; 05-05-2017)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The information systems officer (ISO), under the
supervision of the IMO, manages the information systems center and is
responsible for all unclassified data processing equipment and systems. The
ISO may also serve as the systems manager at smaller posts. At large posts,
the system manager is usually a locally employed staff (LE staff). For
complete details on the roles and responsibilities of an ISO, refer to 5 FAM 121.3.
5 FAH-2 H-128.5 Information Systems
Security Officer (ISSO)
(CT:TEL-53; 05-05-2017)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The information systems security officer (ISSO) implements
the information systems security program. The ISSO advises the security
officer on information systems security issues and works closely with the
system manager and IPO to implement DS information systems security standards.
See 12 FAM 600 for more information regarding ISSO duties and responsibilities.
5 FAH-2 H-128.6 Information
Technical Officer (ITO)
(CT:TEL-53; 05-05-2017)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The information technical officer (ITO) is responsible for
the information technical center (ITC) and supervises one or more information
technical specialists. Depending upon posts transmission facility, the ITO
shares responsibility with the IPO for black (encrypted signal) transmission
equipment, such as multiplexers, black packet switches, access communications
processors, and black data circuits.
5 FAH-2 H-128.7 Information
Technical Specialist (ITS)
(CT:TEL-53; 05-05-2017)
(Uniform State/USAID)
The information technical specialist (ITS) performs all
maintenance and operational procedures as requested by the ITO. This ITC
position is equivalent to the IMS position in the IPC.
5 FAH-2 H-129 BACK-UP IMS SUPPORT
5 FAH-2 H-129.1 Back-up IMS Support
by Non-IM Employees
(CT:TEL-56; 05-24-2017)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. Post management may assign IM responsibilities to
non-IM personnel at posts with one or no IM employees:
(1) The assignment of IM responsibilities may include
either sharing IM duty officer responsibilities or performing all IM operations
and procedures on either a part-time or as-needed basis, or in the absence of
the post's sole information management specialist (IMS); and
(2) The Department or the regional IRM rover program
coordinator must provide temporary duty assistance to posts with one IMS during
an extended absence of that IMS. The Department or the regional IRM rover
program coordinator must provide temporary duty assistance to posts without an
IMS during an extended absence of the individual assigned to perform IM roles
and responsibilities.
b. Individuals undertaking IM responsibilities must
possess appropriate security clearances. Top secret/cryptographic use
clearance is required before such individuals perform telecommunications
processes. Additionally, these individuals must have completed formal
post-specific training prior to performing any IM operations or procedures.
c. 3 FAM 3140
covers entitlement to communications differential, and specific requirements to
attain and retain this entitlement. Office management specialists (OMS) who
serve as back-up to IMS are entitled to this communications differential, which
is five percent of their basic pay. To maintain their five percent pay
differential, OMSs must assume IM duty officer responsibilities for a minimum
of one week per month unless on extended official leave. Additionally, unless
they are on official leave, they must work a minimum of four hours per week in
the IPC, or communications center, to maintain their communications skills.
5 FAH-2 H-129.2 Office Management
Specialist (OMS) Assuming the IMS Role
(TL:TEL-11; 07-19-2004)
(Uniform State/USAID)
a. In situations where an office management specialist
(OMS) is assigned to a post that does not have an IMS, the OMS may be assigned
the additional responsibilities, but not the title, of the IMS position. If
assigned to the post as an OMS with added IMS responsibilities, the OMS must
meet all of the requirements in 3 FAM 3140 to
be entitled to the communications differential for performing IM
responsibilities.
b. In accepting an assignment of the sort set forth in
subparagraph (a), the OMS assumes all of the post-specific responsibilities of
the IMS listed in 5
FAM 120.
c. This category of OMS positions is normally found at
consulates or other missions that are constituents of an embassy. Where this
is the case, the IMO at the embassy will provide support and assistance as
necessary.