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The DSMA Notice System

Welcome to the website of the Defence and Security Media Advisory (DSMA) Committee

Standing notices

The DSMA-Notice System is a means of providing advice and guidance to the media about defence and security information, the publication of which would be damaging to national security. The system is voluntary, it has no legal authority and the final responsibility for deciding whether or not to publish rests solely with the editor or publisher concerned.

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DSMA Notice 1

Military Operations, Plans & Capabilities

Purpose This Notice aims to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information which would improve an adversary’s knowledge and understanding of the UK’s military plans, current operations and capabilities.  Such disclosure could improve an adversary’s knowledge in ways which could put UK forces at a disadvantage.  At a minimum, this would increase the risk to UK personnel and…

Published
DSMA Notice 2

Nuclear & Non-Nuclear Weapon Systems & Equipment

Purpose This Notice aims to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information which would improve an adversary’s knowledge and understanding of the UK’s military and security weapon systems and equipment (including nuclear, conventional and counter-terrorist). Such disclosure could enable an adversary to develop defensive counter-measures and/or offensive capabilities or take pre-emptive actions to negate their effects.…

Published
DSMA Notice 3

Military Counter-Terrorist Forces, Special Forces and Intelligence Agency Operations, Activities and Communication Methods and Techniques

Purpose This Notice aims to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of classified information about: Special Forces and other MOD units engaged in security, intelligence and counter-terrorist operations, including their methods, techniques and activities; Security and Intelligence Agency operations, methods, techniques and activities And Communications methods, techniques and activities Encryption capabilities, techniques and activities; Data protection measures…

Published
DSMA Notice 4

Physical Property and Assets

Purpose This Notice aims to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information in connection with sensitive UK and NATO installations of critical importance to the security of the UK and its international partners. Disclosure could assist an enemy to develop plans and capabilities to: monitor, attack, disrupt or destroy installations thereby endangering UK national security and…

Published
DSMA Notice 5

Personnel and their Families who work in Sensitive Positions

Purpose This Notice aims to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of Sensitive Personal Information (SPI) that reveals the identity, location or contact details of personnel (and their family members) who have security, intelligence and/or counter-terrorist duties and/or backgrounds, including members of the UK Security and Intelligence Agencies, MOD and Special Forces. Those working in such sensitive…

Published