OVERVIEW OF SAFE-ADISS COMMONALITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 19, 2004
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: April 9, 1977
• Content Type: MF

Approved f W Release 2004/03/15: CIA-RDP80MG?65A06d3UO.2a
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Intelligence Information Handling Committee
9 April 1977
MORA' TDI ItiI FOR: Mr. Knoche
THROUGH . Mr. Taylor 9 2 APR 1w7'
FROM Chairman IHC
SUBJECT
. Overview of SAFE-ADISS Commonality
1. On Monday, 4 April you had Jim Taylor and me meet with
you, and we had a general discussion of SAFE and ADISS and how
to go about achieving appropriate commonality. At the conclusion
of that meeting, you asked me to give you a think-piece policy
paper by the end of the week.
. 2. On Thursday, 7 April the IC Staff front office requested
me to prepare a point paper for Admiral Turner's use that same
day in a meeting with Secretary of Defense Brown. I was given
two hours to accomplish this.
3. Attached is the paper I sent to the D/DCI/IC, and I
understand the paper went forward to Admiral Turner. Also attached
is the paper prepared by DIA and sent to Secretary Brown prior to
his meeting with the DCI. My paper makes the points that I would
make in response to your request.
4. I am sending this to Jim Taylor, with the request that
he bring it to your attention as appropriate.
Atts (2)
Chun IIIC memo, DCI/IC 77-1712, dtd 7 Apr 77, "Overview of
SAFE-ADISS Commonality Issue"
DIA paper, dtd 7 Apr 77, "Coordination of the DIA ADISS and
CIA SAFE Computer Projects"
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 Approvedor Release 2004/03/15: CIA-RDP80MOW 65A000300200008-2
Chairman IHC memo to Mr. Knoche, dtd 9 Apr 77, subject: Overview
of SAFE-ADISS Commonality
Distribution:
Orig - Mr. Knoche, via Mr. Taylor (Comptroller) 1 - Mr. Taylor
1 - Mr. McMahon, AD/DCI/IC (FYI)
1 - IHC Subject (SAFE-ADISS)
1 - IHC Chrono
DCI/IC/IHCA (9 Apr 77)
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 .:i
Approved Fqr Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M0W5A000300200008-2
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Intelligence Information Handling Committee
DCI/IC 77-1712
7 April 1977
SUBJECT: Overview of SAFE-ADISS Commonality Issue
1. What are SAFE and ADISS?
a. SAFE is a large-scale system being planned to
serve principally the CIA analyst population and possibly
INR/State.. Important planned characteristics include the
capability for analysts to interactively receive and send
mail, set up local files, draw on agency central files, and
manipulate data for analytic purposes. A limited F. interim -.
SAFE system is now operating.
b. ADISS is a conceptual system planned to
upgrade the existing, 13-year-old DIA On-Line System
(DIAOLS) which is now overloaded and becoming obsolescent.
ADISS now exists only as a concept for a total information
system environment to serve DIA locally and Service analysts
worldwide. DIA is. now negotiating a contract for a system
definition. study.
c. Comparison:
SAFE ADISS
Centralized analyst users at Worldwide analyst users
CIA Hdqtrs in DIA, Services,
Commands
Requires local communications Requires worldwide
communications
To handle diverse analyst To handle fact-oriented
problems involving non- problems, (e.g,, force
formatted data location, movements)
which lend themselves to
greater formatting in
data bases
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 . Approved Fpr Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80MOQ65A000300200008-2
2. Could one system serve the entire Community? The
answear; is "No" for the following reasons:
a. Analyst types range greatly, from those
supporting field commanders worldwide and using existing
tactical ADP systems, to analysts supporting Washington
customers at the national level.
b. A single system that attempts to embrace and
harmonize the tactical.and national spectrum will be too
complex to design and maintain efficient:ly; it could be
unreliable in operation because of its complexity and
vulnerability points; it would be complex to use; and it
would be extremely costly to build.
. 3 . A prudent course of action is as follows
a. Assume for immediate planning that more than
one system will be regT rerderniiFxlilium practicable
commonality in system design. Identify and prescribe
common principles to apply in use of technology. (Use the
IR&D Council for this.) Establish central control over
the critical points of requirements study, system. design,
contracting, and testing. (Use the IRF,D Council, IC Staff ,:
and DCI Committees as focal points, with regular reporting
to PRC(I).)
b. Verif the foregoing assulllp2tion now. Do this
by taking imme ia~tion to bring ~in an 1_nc opendent
outside expert to make a prompt overall assessment of SAFE,
ADISS, and. other systems, and to give his evaluation directly
to the DCI, Secretary of Defense, and the PRC(I). The main
question to be answered in the next three months or so is:.
Should present SAFE/ADISS activities be delayed, even at
risk of losing FY-77 funds, in order to assure that the
Community is moving together in a sensible, coordinated
manner? The Community is not now together effectively.
C. Mobilize Con11111unity policy )Makers now to
establish new Community principles or tropics that ADP
systems designers must have as "givens" in order to design
any system. These include:
(1) Decompartmentation policy.
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 r Release 2004/03/15: CIA-RDP80MOQ 65A000300200008-2
Approved-fr
access to data. Standards for com-
munications in inter aces.
(3) ? Principles for use of technology
(e.g., maximize use of commercial
hardware and software; buil(f small
systems first, and use test beds to
gain experience before commiting
to total large system(s).
(2) ' Standardization of data :i.yh organized
-files, and procedures for better ?
d. Do not limit this problem to an analysis merely
of SAFE and AD_rSS.` ' .ere is important experience on capa--
bilities at NSA now in existence or being designed which
should be considered in any., total Community effort to assess
capabilities. The Analyst Terminal Systems Working Group
(ATSIVG) of the IR&D Council is now charged. to examine all
such capabilities. Their investigation should-be speeded
up. No decision on SAFE or ADISS as a comnuunity--wide
vehicle should be made until the NSA experience is compared
and evaluated, and until the IR&D Council has' reported. to
the DCI.
Chairman IHC
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 7 April 1977
Approved pr Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80MQp,465A000300200008-2
DEFENSE AGENCY
COORDINATION OF THE DIA ADISS AND CIA S,IFE COMPUTER PROJECTS
DACKCROUND: Since 1972 and 1974 respectively, both DIA and CIA have
been planning major AP modernization el lorts in support of intelligence
and production analysts. DIA's System, - Advanced Defense Intelligence
Support System (ADISS) is to be an automated system with a structured
data base that provides analytical support to production analysts
DoD-wide and provides a capability to disseminate finished intelli-
gence to users, i.e., SecDef, JCS, U&S Commands, etc. CIA's effort --
Support for the Analyst File Environment (SAFE) is an internally
oriented system designed to support the CIA intelligence production
analysts.
The FY 1977 Appropriations Conference Report' directed the CIA and DIA
to develop comparable computer systems for analysts with the maximum
possible commonality. This joint development program should facilitate
the maximum interchange of intelligence information between the two
agencies and should minimize development and procurement costs.
COMPARISON OF THE TWO SYSTEMS: Both systems have some commonality
in terms of-message processing and text search capability. However
there are some significant differences:
DATA BASE CONTENT:
-- ADISS data base will primarily consist of finished intelligence
arranged in a predetermined format and some raw, unevaluated
intelligence (message and hardcopy). The structured file
requirement, predominate in ADISS, is dictated by the size and
dispersion of the system and the varying level of detail
required to support the military commanders (order of battle,
target data, installation intelligence, etc.)
SAFE data base, primarily unstructured, is comprised of messages
and internally composed documents in their original form with
limited development of finished intelligence.
e USER FUNCTIONS:
-~ ADISS concentrates on the development of a data management
system allowing for maximum manipulation of formatted data.
- SAFE emphasizes automated message processing, input document
processing and rapid file maintenance, retrieval and output.
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 Approved4or Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80MO 65A000300200008-2
ADISS serves DoD and ncn-DoD managers, analysts and users
worldwide. ADISS must interface with such developmental systems
as the National Military Intelligence Center (NMIC), the Advanced
Imagery Requirements and Exploitation System (AIRES) and the
Collection Coordination Facility (CCF).
- SAFE will support intelligence analysts in the Washington
metropolitan area. Most of these users will be located in the
CIA Headquarters Building.
o TELECOi1,1UNICATIONS:
- ADISS.worldwide environment dictates the use of the lower speed,
long haul telecommunication facilities of the Defense Communication
System.
- SAFE local environment allows the use of extremely high speed
circuits to support the high data rates and large numbers of
simultaneous users.
0 SUMMARY:
- Each system responds to differing product requirements and
user populations. The extent of the similarities and differences
will be determined when the requirements for each system are
translated into design alternatives in FY 1978. Both agencies
are committed to making their systems interoperable and achieving
maximum commonality, thereby providing capabilities not heretofore
available.
STATUS OF ACTIONS
DIA and CIA established coordination at two levels in October/
November 1976
- Policy level - Vice Admiral Inman, DIA and Mr. Paul Walsh, CIA,
designated principal contacts
- Working level - groups established in both DIA and CIA
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 Approved fwr Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M0Q*65A000300200008-2
Q Results of working group meetings since Deg _. ~r 1976
Initial technical comparisons completed
A:DISS/SAFE Coordination Manag;.:+:ent Plan de-, eloped
Arrangements finalized for ADISS and SAFE system definition
studies
ADISS COSTS AND MILESTO JES
0 FY 1977
for initial system definition effort
FY 1978 -- for completion of system definition and
initiation of joint esign/development efforts
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 Approved For Release 2004/03/15: CIA-RDP80M00l 30 00008K, ? l ~-
..'..~.:..FJ.Ll o-'8 x{AG13f[?
/7/ ' G'7,Y tL
Deputy Director of
Central Intelligence
Xe
Hank:
Although I believe this is over-
taken by events (your d6cision that
Sayre Stevens will talk directly with
Sam Wilson), it is nevertheless a
useful paper and worth reading.
r 12 APR 1977
James H. Taylor, Comptroller
Distribution:
Or - Adse w/att
i_~- ER w/o/att
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
 Approved For Release 2004/03/15: CI-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2
SENDER WILL CHECK CLASSIFICATION TOP AND BOTTOM
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECIRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
i O
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
Mr. James H. Taylor
ComDt-rnl 1,-r
Room 4E42
CIA Hq Bld
3
g
4
5
6
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks
Jim:
This responds to Hank Knoche's request at
our meeting with him on Monday 4 April, for a
think-piece on policy re SAFE/ADISS.
Because of Admiral Turner's personal
interest in this subject in the past few days,
Hank's request may have been overtaken by events.
Will you be so kind as to be the recipient
of my response, and as appropriate let Hank know
about it. Thank you.
TO RETURN TO SENDER
3 AND PHONE NO.
DATE
Chm IHC
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
FORM NO. ?Q7 Use previous editions
1-67 ' T
Approved For Release 2004/03/15 : CIA-RDP80M00165A000300200008-2