UNCLASSIFIED   STATE   00226504 
VZCZCXRO8534
PP RUEHAT
DE RUEHC #6504/01 3502055
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 162048Z DEC 05
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHTRO/USLO TRIPOLI PRIORITY 5500

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 226504 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR ALL CABLE DRAFTERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT ACOA AOMS PINR KCCP SIPDIS GUIDANCE
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF NEW SIPRNET DISTRIBUTION 
CAPTION (SIPDIS) 
 
REF:    STATE 107000 
        STATE 99654 
 
STATE 00226504  001.2 OF 002 
 
¶1.  The Department has established a new distribution 
caption, SIPDIS (5FAH-2 H-440), to facilitate inter-agency 
information sharing via post classified homepages on the 
US Government Secret Internet Protocol Router Network 
(SIPRNet).  At present 180 posts and bureaus have 
classified homepages on SIPRNet where they publish 
reporting and analysis, biographic, contact, and 
background information, as well as links to other 
resources.  Cables with SIPDIS in the caption line can be 
automatically displayed on these classified homepages. 
This cable provides guidance on the use of the new 
caption. 
 
¶2.  WHEN AND HOW TO USE THE SIPDIS CAPTION 
a.  SIPDIS should be used on all telegrams that can be made 
broadly available to the community of secret-cleared 
users of the SIPRNet.  This community encompasses a 
growing number of U.S. Government agencies, as well as 
some foreign government users as described in (e) below. 
b.  SIPDIS messages may not carry other restrictive captions 
or caveats, such as NODIS or EXDIS, which explicitly 
limit distribution within the USG.  If a message carries 
conflicting captions, the more restrictive caption will 
be controlling. 
c.  Posts remain responsible for the protection of Privacy 
Act (Public Law 93-570) information.  Messages 
containing Privacy Act information may not be marked 
SIPDIS. 
d. Posts are reminded that telegrams not deemed appropriate 
for sharing outside the USG need to be marked "NOT 
RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS" or "NOFORN" as 
described in 12 FAM 500. 
e. The USG has established joint mechanisms for providing 
select US military allies limited access to releasable 
USG intelligence via the "Rel A" network on SIPRNet. 
State INR production is currently being uploaded to this 
network.  The DoD intends to grant select US military 
allies broader access to SIPRNet, but also intends to 
block foreign access to State-managed websites and 
databases currently on SIPRNet, to include SIPDIS- 
captioned messages. 
 
¶3. HOW SIPDIS WORKS 
Messages captioned SIPDIS are automatically routed to 
State Department servers on SIPRNet that provide content 
to embassy and bureau classified homepages.  Your 
embassy's classified web page administrator can add a 
portlet to your embassy homepage that will automatically 
present these messages in a standard display. 
 
¶4.  The current display includes a reverse chronology, 
subject files based on TAGS, Hot Topic files based on 
Terms used by your post, and a full-text search 
capability. Consistent use of TAGS and Terms is essential 
to the proper display of messages.  Examples of the 
current standard display can be seen by going to 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/rm/irpcip/.  Further guidance 
for homepage administrators will be provided SEPTEL. 
 
¶5.  Even if your post does not yet have a classified 
embassy homepage you should still begin using the SIPDIS 
caption immediately whenever appropriate.  These cables 
will be displayed on a simple, centrally managed 
classified webpage accessible from the State homepage on 
SIPRNet http://www.state.sgov.gov/. Please email the 
homepage program team at salomonmx@state.gov when you 
begin using SIPDIS if you wish to establish a SIPRNet 
Embassy webpage. SEPTEL will provide guidance and 
recommendations to posts on a transition strategy for 
handling cables they have loaded on their websites using 
PortalX features. 
 
¶6. RECOMMENDATIONS TO POST 
Post should designate an administrator to manage hot 
topics, upload previously transmitted cables, and update 
the way messages are filed.  Your administrator can find 
information and assistance on performing these functions 
by going to http://www.state.sgov.gov/rm/irpcip/ on the 
classified network and clicking on the link for Net- 
Centric Diplomacy, by calling 202.261.8736, or by emailing 
SIPDIS_HELP@state.sgov.gov. 
 
¶7.  To get the full benefits of web access to and 
publication of SIPDIS messages as well as projecting post 
perspectives to the broad SIPRNet community, your post 
should have a classified homepage.  Help in launching your 
classified web page can be found at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/portalxcop/ or by calling 202- 
663.0254. 
 
¶8.  Minimize considered. 
RICE