1 Background

1.1 What is S.E.E. Mail?

1.1.1 The S.E.E. Mail environment is designed to facilitate the exchange of email and attachments using the Internet. This system is capable of protecting public domain information and information classified IN-CONFIDENCE or SENSITIVE. S.E.E. Mail is not to be used for information classified CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET or TOP-SECRET.

1.1.2 The environment is formed by a group of co-operating agencies who have deployed accredited secure e-mail gateways that sign and encrypt sensitive messages sent between those agencies using S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) techniques.

1.1.3 Once the e-mail is decrypted at the gateway, the receiving agency is responsible for the proper handling and use of the information, as dictated by the "Security In Government Departments" manual issued by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the New Zealand Security Information Technology (NZSIT) standards issued by GCSB.

1.2 S.E.E. Mail Objectives

1.2.1 Used appropriately S.E.E. Mail will provide the following assurances:

1.2.2 The Recipient in a S.E.E. Mail agency can be highly confident that:

• The e-mail message is from the member agency as claimed.

• No one outside the agency has read the message.

• No one outside the agency has altered the message.

1.2.3 The Sender in a S.E.E. Mail agency can be highly confident that:

• The sensitive e-mail message can only be read by (the agency of) the recipient.

• No one outside the agency can read the message in transit.

• No one outside the agency can alter the message.

1.2.4 Each S.E.E. Mail agency can be highly confident that:

• Sensitive e-mail messages cannot be inadvertently sent to non-S.E.E. Mail agencies.

• All e-mail traffic between S.E.E. Mail agencies is secured.

• All e-mail traffic between S.E.E. Mail agencies authenticates the sending agency.

1.3 Principles

1.3.1 The following principles apply to this Agreement:

1.3.2 This Agreement will change from time to time, to reflect changing Government policy, standards and lessons learned to date;

1.3.3 The S.E.E. Steering Group and the Participating Agency will work co-operatively together and treat the other party reasonably and equitably;

1.3.4 The S.E.E. Steering Group will set the terms and conditions of this Agreement, following consultation with the Participating Agency;

1.3.5 The parties agree to use their best efforts to resolve any dispute that may arise.