Eisenhower Establishes the TALENT-KEYHOLE Security System to Protect Satellite Reconnaissance Intelligence (1960)

Date: August 26, 1960

Created By: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Presidency, The Cold War

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: Office of the Staff Secretary, Subject Series, Alphabetical Subseries, Box 15, Intelligence Matters (17); NAID #12008951

In this August 26, 1960 memorandum, President Dwight D. Eisenhower establishes strict security procedures governing information obtained through satellite reconnaissance. Addressed to the secretaries of State and Defense, the Attorney General, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and director of Central Intelligence, the memorandum directs that both satellite reconnaissance products and information revealing the existence of such reconnaissance be protected under a specially approved security system known as TALENT-KEYHOLE.

Eisenhower requires each agency to personally select the individuals permitted to receive this highly classified intelligence and determine the extent of their access. Information was to be distributed strictly on a “must know” basis tied to major national security requirements. Lists of authorized personnel were to be provided to the Director of Central Intelligence, who would maintain and regularly review the system. Eisenhower further orders that individuals receiving access be specifically instructed not to share information with anyone unless they knew that person was also officially authorized to receive it.

The memorandum places the Director of Central Intelligence, working with the U.S. Intelligence Board, in charge of resolving questions concerning the continued protection and control of satellite intelligence. This included developing a common understanding of what qualified as a legitimate “must know” requirement and limiting the number of people throughout the government granted access.

The document provides an important look at the extraordinary secrecy surrounding America’s emerging satellite reconnaissance program and Eisenhower’s efforts to tightly control access to one of the United States’ most sensitive new intelligence capabilities during the Cold War.