COINS MEETING 20 JUNE 1973

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79M00097A000300010027-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2001
• Sequence Number: 27
• Publication Date: June 22, 1973
• Content Type: MFR

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IHC -MM-414
22 June 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: COINS Meeting, 20 June 197t3
1. The attendees at the meeting are listed in Attachment
A. The purpose of the meeting was to present a status review 25X1
of the COINS and specifically discuss the COINS II follow-on
program. This was accomplished quite well by 25X1
and. Attachment B is a handout provided y
2. At this point in time no additional FY73 funds are
required for COINS; however, the COINS II improvement program
report of the Communications Netting Group (Ad Hoc) to make
the system interactive, is due by 10 July 1973 and will propose
FY74 and FY75 funds be made available. Addin u the numbers
on p. 2, Attachment B, the FY74/75 funding is excluding 25X1
items 5 and 6.
3. Item 4, a "Study of Multiple Retrieval Language
Problems in COINS" is estimated at~ I believe this 25X1
number to be low by at least a factor o five. Attachment C
is a copy of a proposal byl o develop a UNIFORM QUERY
Language. The problem is that each host computer in a net-
work has its own query language. For a distributed data base
concept considering "n" host computers, each would have their
own set of files. This means that a terminal that would want
to access each of the host computer files would have to have
"n" sets of procedures (handbooks). This is confusing and
causes time delays. One solution is a single standardized
query language used on all host computers. This is only
practicable for a new network implementation plan or for a
long range evolutionary modification program where host com-
puters would adopt the new standard query language. This is
desirable for the long term, however, it will never be fully
achieved. A more desirable solution is to develop a stand-
ardized query language together with a front end communica-
tions processor. This would be a mini-computer system that 25X1
would make the terminals interactive and also provide the
translation of the terminal mak' to the query
language of the host computer.
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solution is only the former; i.e., to make the network inter-
active and not address the query language problem. In this
case it is not realistic to conceive of an analyst using a
number of different handbooks to retrieve files from the net-
work computers. This is what has been implemented at CIA;
i.e., to have an operator assigned to the terminal. This
reduces the capability and flexibility of the system.
4. The following tasks should be considered:
a. Institute a two to three month study to determine
the number of files and potential COINS users for the next
five years. (NSA's estimate of five plus terminals for
the next year appears to be unrealistic.) Al" consider
centralized vs. distributed data bases for the network.
b. Somewhat in parallel with a. above, consider the
network impact upon replacement of NSA's and NPIC's 494
computers (NPIC has an RFP on the street to replace their
494's and NSA is also actively considering the replace-
ment of their 494 computers) and other host computer
changes contemplated or planned for the next five years.
Also examine in detail the interface of COINS within
IDHS, WWMCCS, CIA's plans and State's plans for tele-
processing systems.
c. Initiate an outside study contract to develop
a standardized query language together with specifying
a mini-computer teleprocessor to make the system inter-
active and perform the query language translation.
S. Tasks a., b. and c. should be conducted before the
COINS system is made interactive (i.e., COINS II). If the
mini-processor is correctly sized, I believe the COINS system
can be improved in an evolutionary manner. That is, made
interactive first and then implement the software translation
package after the query language has been developed.
6. The following alternatives should be considered for
implementing the above:
a. Task ASD/I to accomplish the above and to submit
a report with recommended courses of action,with funding
estimateS,within six months.
b. Task the USIB-IHC to accomplish the above and
to submit a report with recommended courses of action
with funding estimates (contractors support will be
required).
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c. Task the COINS Project Manager through ASD/I
to do the above.
d. Do nothing.
Recommendation: Alternative a. with periodic monthly reports
to the IC/IHC Support Staff.
7. The reorganization plan for the IHC, if implemented,
would be able to do the above tasks. The Guidance and Evalua-
tion Subcommittee would Task a. Tasks b. and c. would be
conducted by the Systems Subcommittee and-Telecommunications.
and Teleprocessing Subcommittee. The IHC/SS would direct
and integrate the study. Some contractor support would be
required. Implementation would be handled by COINS P.M.O.
Since the Executive Agency responsibility has been assigned
to ASD/I vice IC Staff or IHC, the study task should be
assigned to ASD/I. It should be noted, however, that ASD/I
.does not have any management responsibility over the'CIA or
the State Department and therefore the DCI, using the IC/IHC/SS,
should assume management supervision over this ASD/I project.
Atts (3)
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 CU N r 1. U 1 N T 1. A L.
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Attachment A
to IHC-MM-414
G/IC
CCG/IC
CCG/IC
CCG/IC
ri s PB/CIA
PB/CIA
RS/CIA
NSA _. .
IHC/IC
, IHC/IC
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NP-VM4 B to
I. COMMUNICATION NETTING GROUP (AD HOC)
Report due 10 July 1973.
Expect 60-90 days for formal coordination
Implement Phase I (Specification) while plan as being
coordinated. (5 months).
Communications (CNG)
Security
Network Monitoring
Management Information
Retrieval Language
File Processors
.IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
.RESOURCES REQUIRED
III. DEVELOPING RDT&E COMPUTER SECURITY PROGRAM FOR COINS II.
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