COMDTINST 3820.5A — Implementing Enhanced Safeguards For Signals Intelligence Activities Under Executive Order 14086

COMDTINST 3820.5A governs Coast Guard implementation of enhanced safeguards for signals intelligence activities under Executive Order 14086.

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  • Publication number: COMDTINST 3820.5A
  • Title: IMPLEMENTING ENHANCED SAFEGUARDS FOR SIGNALS INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14086
  • Date: 3/4/2026
  • Proponent: USCG

View COMDTINST 3820.5A on armypubs.army.mil


The publication addresses privacy and civil liberties safeguards, SIGINT activities, personal information, oversight, and environmental considerations. It requires Coast Guard personnel to comply with its provisions and establishes principles for SIGINT collection and executive branch oversight.

Topics covered

  • Signals intelligence activities
  • Privacy and civil liberties safeguards
  • Personal information safeguards
  • Coast Guard Cryptologic Enterprise
  • SIGINT operational tasking authority
  • Executive branch oversight

Questions and answers

Who must comply with COMDTINST 3820.5A?

All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officers-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements shall comply with the provisions of this Instruction. (paragraph 2)

Which Coast Guard organization is authorized to conduct signals intelligence activities?

As a Service Cryptologic Component (SCC) and member of the United States SIGINT System (USSS), the Coast Guard Cryptologic Enterprise (CGCE) is the only Coast Guard National Intelligence Element (NIE) authorized to conduct signals intelligence activities. (paragraph 5)

Who tasks Coast Guard signals intelligence activities?

Personnel assigned to the Coast Guard SCC conduct signals intelligence activities as tasked by the director, NSA/Chief, CSS, (DIRNSA/CHCSS), or the supported operational commander, when the operational commander has been delegated SIGINT operational tasking authority (SOTA) from DIRNSA/CHCSS. (paragraph 5)

What determination is required before signals intelligence activities are conducted?

Requiring that signals intelligence activities be conducted only following a determination, based on a reasonable assessment of all relevant factors, that the activities are necessary to advance a validated intelligence priority and only to the extent and in a manner that is proportionate to the validated intelligence priority for which they have been authorized. (paragraph 1)

What safeguards govern personal information of non-United States persons?

Reference (c) provides the entire USSS with procedures implementing Reference (a) that govern the safeguarding of personal information of non-United States persons, including collection, minimization, dissemination, retention, data security and access, data quality, oversight and compliance, and reporting requirements. (paragraph 1)

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