On July 6, 2012, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order 13618 to assign those NS/EP communications functions effective immediately. Specifically, the order outlines the federal government's need and responsibility to communicate during national security and emergency situations and crises and provides direction for such communications. Some of these systems and programs include the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service (GETS), Wireless Priority Service (WPS), and classified messaging related to the Continuity of Government Condition (COGCON). These communications systems are both federally and privately owned and operated. The 2010 National Security Strategy , the primary federal government guidance on national security, reiterates the notion that reliable and secure telecommunication is necessary to effectively manage emergencies, and that the United States must prevent disruptions to critical communications. This report addresses EO 13618 salient provisions and provides a summary of EO 13618. Conclusion

EO 13618 is a continuation of presidential authority assigned in the Communications Act of 1934, and modifies or revokes other executive orders related to federal NS/EP communications. As identified earlier in this report, EO 13618 changes federal national security and emergency preparedness communications functions by dissolving the National Communications System, establishing an executive committee to oversee federal national security and emergency preparedness communications functions, establishing a programs office within the Department of Homeland Security to assist the executive committee, and assigning specific responsibilities to federal government entities.
In the event of a national security crisis or disaster, federal, state, local, and territorial government and private sector communications are important. National security and emergency preparedness communication systems include landline, wireless, broadcast and cable television, radio, public safety systems, satellite communications, and the Internet. For instance, federal national security and emergency preparedness communications programs include the Government Emergency Telecommunications Service, Wireless Priority Service, and classified messaging related to the Continuity of Government Condition. Reliable and secure telecommunications systems are necessary to effectively manage national security incidents and emergencies.
On July 6, 2012, President Barrack Obama issued Executive Order (EO) 13618 which addresses the federal government's need and responsibility to communicate during national security and emergency situations and crises by assigning federal national security and emergency preparedness communications functions. EO 13618 is a continuation of older executive orders issued by other presidents and is related to the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. §606). This executive order, however, changes federal national security and emergency preparedness communications functions by dissolving the National Communications System, establishing an executive committee to oversee federal national security and emergency preparedness communications functions, establishing a programs office within the Department of Homeland Security to assist the executive committee, and assigning specific responsibilities to federal government entities. This report provides a summary of EO 13618 provisions, and a brief discussion of its salient points.