Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a Protected Distribution System (PDS)?

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of a PDS is to protect unencrypted national security information (NSI) that is transmitted via wire line or optical fiber. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "The purpose of a PDS is to protect unencrypted national security information (NSI) that is transmitted via wire line or optical fiber." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 2

What are the two categories of Protected Distribution Systems (PDS)?

Accepted Answer

The two categories of PDS are Category 1 and Category 2. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "There are two categories of PDS." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 3

What type of carrier is used in a Category 1 PDS?

Accepted Answer

A Category 1 PDS uses a simple carrier, which is constructed of metal or polyvinyl chloride pipe at least schedule-40 grade or utilizes armored cable. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "There is a single type of carrier for a Category 1 PDS. It is called a simple carrier, and it is constructed of metal or polyvinyl chloride pipe-at least schedule-40 grade-or utilizes armored cable." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 4

What is required for a PDS that must pass through an uncontrolled access area?

Accepted Answer

Data in the carrier passing through an uncontrolled access area (UAA) must be encrypted. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "If the carrier connects two controlled access areas by passing through an uncontrolled access area (UAA), data in the carrier passing through the UAA must be encrypted." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 5

What is the role of the Authorizing Official (AO) in the PDS lifecycle?

Accepted Answer

The AO is responsible for PDS approval, certification, and recertification, as well as approving reactivation of a PDS. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "The AO is responsible for PDS approval, certification, and recertification. The AO also must approve reactivation of a PDS." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 6

What are the three factors that guide the selection of a PDS category?

Accepted Answer

The three factors are the classification or type of data, the threat environment, and the type of access area in which the PDS is installed. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "The guidance for selecting a Category 1 or Category 2 PDS is based on three factors." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 7

What is the requirement for visual inspections of PDS?

Accepted Answer

Visual inspections are required for most PDS except those transmitting Confidential data in a Low threat area, alarmed carriers, and continuously viewed carriers. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "Visual inspections are required for most PDS except PDS transmitting Confidential data in a Low threat area, alarmed carriers, and continuously viewed carriers." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 8

What must be done if an incident of tampering or unauthorized interception occurs with a PDS?

Accepted Answer

The incident must be reported immediately to all organizations that use the PDS and to the local security authority. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "When an incident of tampering, penetration, or unauthorized interception occurs, the incident must be reported immediately to all organizations that use the PDS and to the local security authority." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 9

What is the construction requirement for a hardened carrier in a Category 2 PDS?

Accepted Answer

Hardened carriers must be constructed of a ferrous material, such as ferrous electrical metallic tubing, ferrous pipe conduit, or ferrous rigid sheet metal ducting. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "Hardened carriers must be constructed of a ferrous material, namely, ferrous, electrical metallic tubing (EMT), ferrous pipe conduit, or ferrous rigid sheet metal ducting." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 10

What is the minimum depth for burying a carrier in a low threat location?

Accepted Answer

In a low threat location, the carrier must be buried one meter below the surface. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "For low threat locations, bury the carrier one meter below the surface." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 11

What should be done to secure access to buried carriers?

Accepted Answer

Use a PDS lock or alarm for manholes and any other access points to secure access to buried carriers. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "To secure access to buried carriers, use a PDS lock or alarm for manholes and any other access points." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 12

What is required for marking a PDS?

Accepted Answer

The PDS must be clearly marked to make it easily identifiable to the inspector, but it should not indicate that it is a PDS or that it carries National Security Information (NSI). [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "Clearly mark the PDS to make it easily identifiable to the inspector." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

Question 13

What is the requirement for the inspection log of a PDS?

Accepted Answer

All inspections must be logged with the date and time of the inspection and the name and title of the inspector, and the log must be maintained for at least one year. [Source: CDSE — Protected Distribution System (CS140.16) Student Guide — "CNSSI No. 7003 requires that you log all inspections with the date and time of the inspection and the name and title of the inspector. Maintain the log for at least one year." https://www.cdse.edu/Portals/124/Documents/student-guides/CS140-guide.pdf]

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