DSD must perform its activities within the law. Listed below are links to legislation that relate to these activities.

Intelligence Services Act 2001 – (opens new window)
Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 – (opens new window)

The Intelligence Services Act. (ISA) establishes the framework within which DSD is required to operate. In doing so the ISA covers DSD's signals intelligence and information security roles. The ISA also covers the operations of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (or ASIS), which is Australia's other foreign intelligence agency.

Signals Intelligence

One of DSD's major roles is the collection of foreign intelligence by electromagnetic, electrical, magnetic or acoustic means and dissemination of that intelligence, in accordance with Defence Force and government requirements.

The concept of foreign intelligence reflected by the ISA is "intelligence about the capabilities, intentions or activities of persons or organisations outside Australia." (see s7(a) and 7(b) of the ISA).

The ISA contains important restrictions on when intelligence concerning Australian persons may be produced or communicated by DSD.

Information Security (or Infosec)

DSD's other major role is to assist Commonwealth and State authorities in relation to information security, cryptography and communications technologies (see s7(c) and (e) of the ISA).