CIA PARTICIPATION IN IHC WORK PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01082A000200010018-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 13
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 19, 2004
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: May 9, 1974
• Content Type: MF

CONFIDENTIAL C~~X'~~C~~ J'S!
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DCI~IC 7~+-1121
9 'May 197
MEMORANDUM FOR: General Graham, D~DCI~IC
PD~DCI~IC
SUBJECT : CIA Participation in IHC Work Program
1. CIA is-the only agency that has not yet designated a principal
and alternate representatives to IHC. IHC work is stalled. Our credi-
bility is at risk.
2. I submit the time has come to treat this roblem through formal
cotranand channels. Informal approaches by and myself have
resulted in a turn-down by Ed Procter, a 'may e rom
and a rejection of our original candidate
3. When you raise this issue, CIA Deputies are likely to respond:
"What is IHC going to do and why should I be concerned?"
a. To answer that question, attached staff study proposes
an IHC work program. It is heavily oriented to improving the
productipn and use of intelligence. It puts ADP and telecommuni-
cations in support roles for producers.
b. You are requested to approve this work program now in
principle only -- in order to demonstrate its general scope and
focus. This program follows the 8 May 7~+ draft of DCI Objectives
and Milestones that D~DCI~IC has sent forward to Mr. Colby.
I will make adjustments later, if necessary, to conform to the
final draft of DCI Objectives, and reS~ut~mit for your specific.
approval.
~+. My views on where CIA representation in IHC could come from
are at paragraph ~+, page 6 of attached.
5. Please note that I am now referring only to CIA participation
in the Committee. I am not now talking about the necessity to augment
IHC Support Staff frpm CIA. That is a sepaxate issue we must face later
when the work program is officially approved.
6. If CIA participation effectively cannot be obtained, we should
notify USIB that IHC is being disbanded.
c ing alrm
USIB~IHC
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Distribution:
Original - Gen. Graham
1 -
1 - Registry ~/
1 - IHC Membership File
1 - IHC Reading
1 - NCF Chrono
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Attachment to
DCI~IC 74-1].21
9 MaY 197+
SUBJECT: CIA Participation in IHC Work Program
A. PROBLEM
CIA is the only organization that has not yet designated representa-
tives and working level people to participate in the IHC. The IHC cannot
function without continuing CIA participation in approved community pro-
jects. Continued delay by CIA threatens the DCI~s credibility.
B, FACTS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM
1. The DCI addressed IHC members on 2~ April 7~+ supporting the com-
mittee`s reactivation, His remarks are at Attachment 1,
2? SA~DCT~ following up on Mr. Colbyfs comments,
identifie is assignment from the DCT to investigate new ways of pre-
senting intelligence information within the community and his need for
IHC support. His remarks are at Attachment 1.
~+. The statement of DCI Objectives (draft of 8 May 7~+} includes a
specific Objective and Milestones on information handling and presenta-
tion. The Objective is:
"To improve techniques far information handling and pre-
sentation,and develop new approaches to the ana7,ysis of intel-
ligence data in the Community, through the application of advances
in information science and man-machine relationships.~This is
seen as a continuing long term effort.)"
S? D~DCI~IC proposed guidelines Uy memorandum to the DCI of 5
April 7~+ (DCI~IC 74-0987) entitled "Coping with the Information Hand-
ling Problem." These include use of IHC as a community fatal point for
knowledge on information systems, compatibility of software between
systems, encouraging increased use of central files, and promotion of
investigations of new information science methods and techniques,
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6. IHC Proposed Work Program. Based on the foregoing guidance, the
Acting Chairman IHC proposes the following work program. All projects
are directly responsive to DCI Objectives and Milestones.
a. Inventory of Community Information Handling Systems (CIHS)
(1) Task. To prepare and maintain an update of the 1972
IHC community inventory of (a) data systems and substantive
files, (b) related applications metholologies, and (c) tele-
communications systems.
(2) Ratianale. Requested by SA~DCI and needed
as a factual basis far flzrther studies e.g., see 'next paragraph).
b. Sharing Community Responsibility for Data Bases
(1) Task. To prepare studies and recommendations for USIB
approval for coordinated community action in which member
agencies, as a service of common concern, accept responsibility
far the production and maintenance on a timely basis of selected
major files that are of continuing interest to community intel-
ligence production analysts.
(2) Rationale. Responsive to PFIAB suggestions to DCI.
Contributes to improvement in content, format and timeliness
of files of community interest. Focuses responsibility for quality.
c. Community Data Standards
(1) Task. To report to DCI and USIB on where the intelli-
gence community stands today in implementing standards for data
organization and transmission, and to pxopose a plan for future
coordinated action by community agencies.
~'(~).Ratanale. As the automated transmission of intelligence
information increases, sizeable costs will be incurred by agencies
that have not evaluated their in-and-out data flow in order to
take advantage of community standardization where practicable.
Potential cost avoidance, through cooperative efforts to improve
standards, is estimated at several millions of dollars. Agencies
disseminating information and agencies receiving information are
equally impacted. Involves future forms of data delivery to analysts.
d. Community Computer Terminal Study,
(1) Task. To prepare studies and recommendations for USIB
approval for coordinated development of computer terminal pro-
grams-far ?the Community, with particular emphasis on the use of
terminals to exchange crisis management information and to per-
form indications and warning Functions.
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(2) Rationale. D~DCI~IC and DIRNSA have called DCI at-
tention to the problem of proliferating intelligence presen-
tation systems using computer terminals for data display.
Further growth of specialized sysi~ems, in the absence of
community guidance on the coordination of community capabi-
lities, can handicap rather than aid analysts and users,
and can be unnecessarily expensive.
e. Community Telecommunications and the "National Nervous
stem -
(1) Task a Support IC~PRD, by collec-
ting through IFiC data for study of the national nervous sys-
tem", in order to analyze the content of the information flow
through communications networks.
(2) Task b). Examine the completeness of planning for
community networking of information systems and data flow:
-- to serve Production analysts and users; and to provide a
capability to the DCI to coordinate community intelligence
presentations to users, particularly in crisis management.
(3) Rationale. In response to NSDM 2~+2, a JCS committee
(including DCI IC Staff) is now preparing terms of reference
calling for a detailed report on interagency communications
networks to serve crisis management. The JCS "strawman" pro-
posal notes that IfiC can contribute to that effort. The JCS
study excludes identification of the content of information
flow, and effort is intended to fill that gap.
Independent of NSDM 2 2, there is a question as to whether
the DCI will have adequate capability to present rapidly to
high level users intelligence products of high interest.
f. Conferenced Text Editing (CONTEXT)
(1) Task. To provide continuing technical assistance to
IC~PRD, to establish a community operational
capability for conferenced text editing using computer ter-
minals.
(2) Rationale. IHC and its Support Staff are the tech-
nical support mechanism for projects. CONTEXT
will serve a variety of community applications far analysts,
including the coordination of finished intelligence products
and the analysts' net concept
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g. Methodology Transfers from ARPA Network for Intelligence
Ana sts
(1) Task. To provide a forum and marshal orderly commu-
nity participation for the identification of substantive in-
terests of community production analysts in the software ca-
pabilities of the ARPA network. To assist the Project Direc-
tor to carry out the operating plan for examining ARPA data
bases and software methodologies, where ARPA developments
can contribute to improved intelligence analysis capabilities.
(2) Rationale. Several intelligence agencies have expressed
interest in exploring the data bases and applications software
packages that are available via the ARPA computer network. IHC
and IC Staff Product Review ]?ivision are identifsring interested
components in CIA and other agencies. Policy discussions are
now underway with ARPA on a range of mutual interests, of which
this project is one.
h. Community TV Requirements
(1) Task. To identify present and planned uses of TV
by the intelligence community, including the presentation
of current intelligence "news" analyses and the communication
of near real time information among intelligence managers.
(2) Rationale. -This capability was suggested by the DCI
in discussion with Director OMB on 17 April 74 (DCI~IC 7~+-1006).
IHC conducted in 1973 a "Community Secure TV Test", at the
conclusion :of which participating agencies, including JCS,
recommended that IHC sponsor fU rther work and continue as a
community focal paint in exploration of the needs for and
characteristics of such a community capability.
i. Other IHC Activities. The IHC work program should allow for
the capability to address the following maters:
(1) Ad hoe support to__ ~ ~I?
(2) Res once to issues raised by IHC member agencies,
where community interest and impact ~.re~ e~~. ~~
(3) Continuing working liaison with the Information
Science Center, CTA Office of Training, on matters concerning
information science education and training.
(4) Monitor R&D Council on information science matters..
(5) Support IC Staff components in aspects of .their
Milestone projects involving information handling, communi-
ciations, and intelligence product presentation..
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C. DISCUSSION
1. The immediate ,problem addressed by this staff study is the un-
willingness to date of CIA to designate a member and alternate(s) to par-
ticipate actively in the IHC.
a. SA~DCI, made informal inquiries a few days ago.
He gat a negative response from Dr. Proctor. has sug- 2 5X1
Bested that I contact who may be mare persuadable,
but I have not done so since T believe the time is past for in-
farmal action at my level. M
y original effort was to obt&in 0 25X1
~~ as the IHC member,
but this was referred t
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3. As a further demonstration of the future orientation for IHC, the
following guidelines are proposed.
a. IEiC undertakings will be directed specifically toward im-
provements in the analysis, production, presentation and use of
intelligence. The exploration of technical subjects -- computer
and communications capabilities -- will be guided by this primary
production-oriented purpose,;which those technical fields support.
b. IHC is a community forum and focal point. Its work out -
puts should reflect the overall community significance of its
investigations.
c. Major IHC projects will be undertaken with prior approval
of D~DCT~IC and SA~DCI, in order to validate their
focus and importance.
4. MY views on the source of the CIA members in THC are as follows:
a. The principal member should, preferably, be from DDS&T.
That directorate deals both with Collection~Processing and with
Production. It deals with on-coming systems, that pose computer
and communications problems. Its management may be more receptive..
b, The alternate member could come from DDI.
c. Because of the fragmentation of CIA among directorates, it
would be advantageous -- if feasible -- that another alternate
member be available to provide entrees to the technical activities
of OJCS and OC.
5. CIA members in IHC have a two-fold role:
a. Ta participate in the formulation of problem statements and
the conclusions and recommendations of IHC studies.
b, To arrange for CIA working level participation, as required
for IHC 'studies, monitoring it to assure its. effectiveness.
6. Two IHC projects are presently handicapped because of lack of CIA
participation.
a. Data Standards. A11 agencies except CIA have nominated
participants. DIRNSA's agreement to provide an experienced, senior
chairman for the IHC Standards Panel is at Attachment 2.
b. Communit Invento' A data ca17. that will require CIA inputs
is now being prepared, s requested the completion of
this inventory as a priory ma er.
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D. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The IHC work program and guidelines presented herein should be
approved in principle by D~DCI~IC, in order to serve now as a tangible
basis for demonstxation to CIA and DCI that this work program is sub-
stantively oriented toward support of producers and users of intelligence.
2. Upon acceptance by the DCI of his Objectives and Milestones for
FY-75, the THC work program should be modified, if necessary, and resub-
mitted to D~DCI~IC for specific approval. Based thereon, a Letter of
Instruction can be directed by D~DCI~IC to Acting Chairman IHC.
3. Without further delay, appropriate official action should be
taken to cause CIA to nominate a member and one or two alternate members
fvr the IHC. These individuals should be instructed to participate on
a continuing and constructive basis, and to take further necessary steps
to mobilize CIA working level support to IHC approved projects as required.
4. If continuing, constructive CIA participation cannot be achieved,
the IHC should be disbanded. That course of action will require a state-
ment to USIB members.
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Acting Chairman
Intelligence Information Handling Committee
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INTELLIG~N~y lNFORi41AT10N NAiVDLiiVG COn/is'~IITT~E
ofi the
U~11 i ~D STATES l~;T~LLI~ic~1CF'dC}ARD
IHC-MNi- 7/ 74
3 May 1974
SUBJECT. Summar of Comments by Air. Colby (DCI)
and (SA/DCI) at IHC Meeting,
24 pri
Attached is a summary of the comments of Mr. Colby and
based on notes taken by attendees at the IHC
4 April 19 74 .
I thought you would be interested to xeceive these
comments in advance of t-he official minutes of that meeting.
These remaxks axe not classified, and I see no reason ivhy
you .should not make whatever further distxibution you desire.
Acting Chairman.
Att
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Summar of Co~~ents b ?~Ir. Colby (DCI)
and SA DCI) at IHC I~ieeting
April 1974
1. Mx. Co1~iy made the opening comments, lending his
support to the reactivation of the IHC. He said-that infor-
mation handling technology will r~o doubt continue to develop
at Ieast as rapidly during the 1970's as during the I960ts.
.Thus, .the future impact of information processing capabilities
on how the intelligence community does its business and the
degree of success it achieves will be very great.. He went
on to say that, although ir. the past decade the Collection
function has tended to~dominate the intelligence process,
in the next decade the Processing and Production functions
may~tivell dominate, bir. Colby noted that an information
explosion has already taken place, but no~+r we .are. on the
.verge of a technology explosion which will lead to new methods
of analysis and forecasting and to new ways of rapid coor-
dination and more effective presentation of infor-motion.
He said intelligence should Lead in putting advancir_g infor-
mation technology at the service of users. He cautioned
that the human aspects of the changes which take place must
be considered and provided for. He informed the Co~.mittee
that he has asked o concentrate on-new ways
to package and presen in ormation in order~to increase
its effectiveness with the users. He urged the Committee
to see that systems are designed for the people who will
. use them and that people be trained to use them.
2. SA/DCI outlined his area .of
concern an ~.s progress to cote, noting that he is just
getting started in his ne~,a assignment for the DCI. He is
investigating. new ways of presenting intelligence information
within the community and, therefore, he is interested in the
nature of user needs; the form, format and style of informa-
tion; hardware and software aids in handling information;
and new methodologies of intelligence production.. He told.
the Committee he-has made an initial survey of DoD, State,
the ~+Ihite House Situation Room,' CIA, etc. during the past
month covering: - .
-Community information handling systems
which supply facts to the analysts.
("btr. Colby wants alternatives to
ink on paper.");
--Ne~Y~ methaclologies for analysts; and
--Ne~v ways. to present information.
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~, sai~~ he has prepared a I.iat of sorie 15 ~_ ~?o'~lem5 (e.g->
Indications and ti'~arning, Crisis Situations, Military
Economic.Intelligence, etc.) and another list of some 25
methodologies of analysis (e.g., Delphi, Regression .Analysis,
Linear Programming, Alatrix Analysis, etc.). He intends,
he said, to try to demonstrate the usefulness of new methods
for intelligence analysis and presentation. He indicated
that he.needs as input to his efforts the update of the IHG
Inventory of Systems, identified in the IHG meeting agenda.
-He said this Inventory will serve, also,. to define candidate
systems for eventual networking. He expects to discover.
latent capabilities and demonstrate their usefulness for
use by analysts and decision makers. A paper he is,writing
for the DCI will contain his findings .to date, and copies
will be provided IHC members if the DCI approves this approach.
Prepared by: IHC Support Staff
3 I~1ay 19 7 4
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