National Communications System (NCS)

National Communications System (NCS) was initially established by President Kennedy in August 1963.  Executive Order 12472 formally established the role of the NCSto assist the President, the National Security Council, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in the discharge of their national security emergency preparedness telecommunications functions. The NCS consists of both the telecommunications assets of the entities represented on the NCS Committee of Principals and an administrative structure consisting of the Executive Agent, the NCS Committee of Principals, and the Manager. 2. The telecommunications system that results from the technical and operational integration of the separate telecommunications systems of the several executive branch departments and agencies having a significant telecommunications capability. [JP 1-02]

Note: In concert with Executive Order 13618 “Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions” of 6 July 2012 which revoked Executive Order 12472, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security realigned programs and activities of the Office of the Manager, National Communications System, along with those of the Office of Emergency Communications.  A new organization, named the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), emerged from the realignment effort.  OEC is now called Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); Emergency Communications Division.