Defense and national security

Executive Order 13618: Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions

President: Barack Obama

Assigned federal departments responsibility for resilient priority communications during crises and national emergencies.

Status: In effect as amended by EO 13961.

Is Executive Order 13618 still in effect? Yes, as amended by EO 13961.

What does Executive Order 13618 do?

EO 13618 modernized government responsibility for national security and emergency preparedness communications across converging voice, data, internet and broadcast networks. It assigned policy, operational, research and industry-coordination roles to White House offices, DHS, Defense, Commerce and other agencies. EO 13961 changed the executive committee structure in 2020, while CISA continues the National Coordinating Center and priority-services programs under the framework.

Administration position: The order assigns preparedness functions; extraordinary control under section 706 of the Communications Act still requires the presidential findings and actions specified by law.
SignedJuly 6, 2012
Operational leadDepartment of Homeland Security
Industry hubNational Coordinating Center for Communications

Before and after

Before the order

EO 12472 reflected an earlier telecommunications environment centered on traditional carrier networks.

After the order

Responsibilities expanded across modern communications infrastructure with formal government-industry coordination.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
DHS and CISAOperate priority services and coordinate restorationContinuing
Defense and other agenciesMaintain mission-specific resilient communicationsContinuing
White House and interagency bodiesSet policy and review resilience arrangementsContinuing as amended

What happened next

EO 13618 issued and EO 12472 revoked.

EO 13961 revised delegated authority and committee governance.

EO 14239 ordered a review of preparedness and communications policies.