A protective distribution system (PDS), also called protected distribution system, is a wireline or fiber-optics telecommunication system that includes terminals and adequate acoustical, electrical, electromagnetic, and physical safeguards to permit its use for the unencrypted transmission of classified information. At one time these systems were called "approved circuits".
A complete protected distribution system includes the subscriber and terminal equipment and the interconnecting lines.
The purpose of a PDS is to deter, detect and/or make difficult physical access to the communication lines carrying national security information. Approval authority, standards, and guidance for the design, installation, and maintenance for PDS are provided by NSTISSI 7003 to U.S. government departments and agencies and their contractors and vendors. This instruction describes the requirements for all PDS installations within the U.S. and for low and medium threat locations outside the U.S. PDS is commonly used to protect SIPRNet and JWICS networks.
There are two types of PDS: Hardened Distribution Systems and Simple Distribution Systems.
Read more about Protective Distribution System: Hardened Distribution PDS, Simple Distribution PDS
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