This series consists of reports, proceedings of meetings, and other miscellaneous records of NSTAC, its Industry Executive Subcommittee [IES], and working groups. NSTAC was formed on September 13, 1982 under President Reagan's Executive Order 12382, to provide advice and technical information on telecommunications issues related to national security policies and systems, particularly concerning emergency preparedness and maintenance of functioning telecommunications after a catastrophic event or attack. NSTAC was made up of CEOs of major telecommunications concerns, including manufacturers, common carriers, and engineers, as well as major industries and telecommunications users, including IBM, U.S. West, and Boeing.

A major impetus to the formation of NSTAC was the impending divestiture of the Bell Operating Companies, and divestitures effects on government and military telecommunications networks. These networks had formerly been based on Bell's Public Switched Network, and were managed through cordial and highly integrated relationships between various U.S. Government agencies and AT&T. Distribution of network control to multiple companies required an entirely new structure for meeting government telecommunications requirements and concerns.

Increasing demands and diminishing functionality of the government's communications infrastructure also spurred efforts to establish a working forum within which major industry participants could establish technical standards and work cooperatively on national security requirements. The forecasted obsolescence of many systems was imminent, and dependence on the Bell relationship had caused the government to fall further behind in provision of the innovations provided by the newly competitive market for telecommunications services.

NSTAC also provided technical forums and working... groups to establish standards and practices for network and equipment engineering issues related to national security concerns. These included protection of equipment from electromagnetic pulse radiation as generated by the detonation of nuclear devices [EMP hardening], survivability of satellite and terrestrial networks after nuclear warfare or natural disaster, and the design and implementation of services to branches of the Federal Government and its agencies.

The series consists of 5 linear feet of records arranged in four subseries: Subseries A. Proceedings of NSTAC meetings, 1982-1992, arranged chronologically; Subseries B. Proceedings of IES meetings, 1982-1992, arranged chronologically; Subseries C. Working group reports and proceedings, alphabetical by group; Subseries D. Miscellaneous records.