MINUTES OF COINS COMMITTEE MEETING OF 15 DECEMBER1967.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000100090014-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 19, 2007
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: December 27, 1967
• Content Type: MFR

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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD 27 December 1967
SUBJECT: Minutes of COINS Committee Meeting of 15 December 1967.
1. The COINS Committee met at NPIC on 15 December 1967. Attending were:
2. Minutes of the previous meeting of 1 December were reviewed and
approved.
NSA review
a. larified the ilcompletedpa~ragraph 6 on the extent of
NSA contractor study of data retrieval languages. The NSA contractor is
concerned with a study of all known user oriented languages, capabilities,
advantages and disadvantages, etc. and formulation of recommendations for NSA
on their use. As a part of this study, the contractor will include COINS
participating agency languages in being or planned (NSA TILE, CIA TORQUE, DIA
Formatted File System retrieval language). The study will not result in
recommendations for COINS adoption of any language, but will provide a comparison
of the different languages of the system for consideration by the COINS Committee
in determining a course of action on this subject.
b.- Relative to the above and reference paragraph 7,
working within the framework of the Computer and Communications Interface Pane.,
will. continue his study of development of a common network data retrieval language
for COINS. This concept envisions the following:
(1) Users at COINS participating agencies would frame interrogations
of COINS files at distant agencies in the local retrieval language.
(2) The local remote access computer system would have a library
translator program to translate the local language into the network language.
(3) At the receiving agency the translator program translates the
network language into the local language for retrieval operations.
(ii.) This concept would require each agency to write one translator
program. Undesirable alternatives are:
(a) Users learning and applying the language of each of the
other COINS agencies.
(b )- Each agency provide the software to translate the local
language into the language of the agency being interrogated.
c. Reference paragraph 3 relative to TMA No. 1 on COINS Communications.
(1)
DIA Review
Completed.
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(2) stated that NSA communications personnel were
of the belief that COINS communications circuits should be schedule 4B vice
4C as stated in :paragraph 2; and that NSA requested that paragraph C be changed
to state that speeds above 2400 BPS will not be considered prior to FY-70. The
DIA for resolution.
25X1
3, presented a memorandum (copy inclosed) on the subject of
establishment of security classification levels for COINS. Members were
requested to review the classification levels proposed, and to be prepared to
discuss the matter at the next meeting.
former problem has been referred to
4. A proposed TMA providing general guidance to COINS Panels concerned
with data base requirements was presented for committee consideration.
5. Final copies of Part 1 of the COINS Semiannual report were distributed
to those attending. The balance of copies for each agency and Part 2 (in
publication) will be distributed through courier channels. 25X1
6. re orted the first exchange of user training classes between
NSA and I . ill arrange a meeting with of DIA to discuss
further training courses to be conducted, and improvement of the courses.
7. urged committee members to determine agency reaction to the
files planne ior INS I, what is required to better satisfy requirements,
what additional data elements might be required, etc.
8. distributed copies of an NSA draft proposal for COINS
development an' management by means of an Executive Agent and Agency COINS
Manager system. Basically, the COINS Executive Agency would be designated by
a DCID. The director of the agency named would appoint an Executive Agent for
system management, and a COINS Manager for that agency. Each of the other
participating agencies would name COINS Managers. The host agency would provide
all support services; the Executive Agent would plan, coordinate and manage
the system; the COINS Managers would assist the Executive Agent and coordinate
all activities within their respective agency. The proposal is currently being
studied by NSA legal and comptroller personnel who are preparing briefs to be
made available shortly.
Efforts to arrive at a solution for efficient and effective COINS
management are most important, particularly in view of the fact that such a
major interagency undertaking is without precedent and may serve as a prototype
for future systems.
9.l described an AMPEX video document retrieval system to be
installed by NSA. Anyone interested in learning more about the system can be
briefed.
10. Conduct of a "workshop" on the subject of computer networks is being
considered by NSA. COINS Committee members were asked. to consider interest in
the workshop and extent of participation.
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11. Copies of the second draft of COINS Situation papers No. 1-4 and the
first draft of No. 5 were distributed for consideration and comment.
12. Members are requested to provide lists of the character sets and codes
utilized in the computer and terminal equipment of their system.
13. The next committee meeting is scheduled at 1000 hours, 5 January 1968,
at NSA. Members are requested to be prepared to comment and discuss the
.following:
a. Proposed TMA on "Guide for COINS File Panels.
b. Proposed management system.
c. COINS security levels.
d. Computer network workshop.
25X1
Executive Secretary
a ry4 1 ES,.51 z'
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