Communications Network

OSCE participating States need a secure online communication instrument to fulfil their legal and political commitments. This tool is the Communications Network (CommsNet), a secure and reliable ICT infrastructure managed by the Conflict Prevention Centre. Complementing traditional diplomatic channels, the CommsNet was originally established by the Netherlands in 1992 and nowadays connects around 150 end user stations in almost all capitals of the 57 participating States. The CommsNet also plays a crucial role in cyber/ICT security notifications.

The CommsNet consists of three main components: the End User Stations at the capitals, consisting of a PC and a cryptographic device that encrypts all communication to and from Vienna over the internet; the servers which are the backbone of the CommsNet in a secure location in Vienna; and three custom-made applications: one for formal communication between States on several conventional arms control treaties and agreements and cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures, another for States to submit annual military force postures, and a third to allow for analysis of all the exchanged information and notifications since the start of the CommsNet.

The Conflict Prevention Centre operates and manages this highly reliable and secure electronic network, which is accessible around the clock, seven days a week. The Conflict Prevention Centre also chairs the OSCE Communications Group, an informal subsidiary body under the Forum for Security Co-operation, comprising of experts from OSCE delegations who oversee the network.