ASD(I) PROPOSAL ON DATA STANDARDS FOR COINS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 2004
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: June 27, 1975
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/03/16 ? CIA-RDP80MOl133A00060005001 g-8
Q- e-
DCI/IC 75-1529 V
27 June 1975
SUBJECT: ASD(I) Proposal on Data Standards for COINS
1. I agree with the proposed draft of Dr. Hall's letter. My only
hesitation is as to whether this puts NPIC in a straightjacket because
it requires them to implement a predetermined decision which neither
NPIC nor I have studied. Norm Solat assures me on the phone that this
is not so -- that the approach will be first to call on all organiza-
tions to identify how they now handle standards for COINS files, and then.
through a matrix look for the most suitable common denominators. Solat
says that we are not committing NPIC to do more than come to reason
together about the problem and then to be willing to apply reasonable
solutions. On this basis, I concur.
2. ASD(I) got this idea from me in the first place. See
0
STAT
STAT
letter (attached) which he wrote to me for the record, after
we had several discussions in which we agreed, along with
I nd Norm Solat, that this would be a good way to get moving on
a universally unpopular subject.
3. reference to you about wrapping up this in 90
days is very unrealistic. However, a start can be made, and if ASD(I)
is the driver that is what will count.
4. I am concerned that Q impatience may drive him to favor
a solution that may be good for computers (which require people to turn
square corners and go to lengths to organize data) but not very good for
intelligence analysts. The effort should be to get away from "codes"
(e.g., 3LPD = some plain English noun), because this just requires the
analyst to learn those intermediary codes. The wave of the future is
to anticipate that computers will be able to recognize plain English
words and the building of elaborate tables of gibberish should be
avoided. At the same time, this elaborate coding is what the entire
U.S. government and the private sector are busily engaged in via national
and international standards associations and a government-wide effort
spearheaded by the National Bureau of Standards.
5. We have some institutional sorting out to do. DCID 1/15 charges
USIB/IHC with promoting standards for the community -- but it is a
directive without teeth. The IHC Data Standards Panel is well intended
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
 Approved For-Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
but gets all too little support from the institutional chains of
command involved, and it has not been able to wield the influence
that ASD(I) could as a line manager. In order to interrelate DCID
1/15 with this new responsibility by ASD(I), I think in our reply
to Dr. Hall the DCI might say that he agrees in principle, and
therefore is asking Hall to perform the same role as Executive Agent
for developing standards for COINS that he is doing for developing
the COINS system. This would not exhaust all of the USIB/IHC res-
ponsibility in DCID1/15, however, because it deals only with the
COINS subset. Therefore, we should look forward to some rewriting
of DCID 1/15 based on the experience gained in the new ASD(I) effort.
And, a DCI representative -- I guess that means me, since I already
have the DCI COINS account -- should monitor the new ASD(I) effort.
C airman, IHC
Attachment
as stated
Distribution:
Orig - addressee
1 - IC Registry
1 - IHC Subject (Data Standards)
1 - IHC Reading File
DCI/IC/IHC
(27 June 75)
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
 Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
13585 Romany Drive
Pacific Palisades
California 90272
March 11, 1975
STAT
7C35
CIA
McLean, Virginia
Intelligence Community Staff
STAT Dear
0
I appreciated the chance to see you last week and to review
the status of data standards in the intelligence community.
Evidently little has changed since my last visit. The
individual agencies continue to create computer files that
are independent of one another, they still resist the idea
of having standards imposed from the outside, and they are
worried about the cost of file conversion.
To tolerate confused computer file building any longer is
to invite chaos for the user in the future. Action must be
taken now to install a workable program that contains
attractive incentives. I believe a good place to begin is
within the context of the community's information network
(COINS). Here is what I propose:
1. That the interagency data standards function be
assigned to COINS.
2. That COINS collaborate with the individual agencies
to devise common data standards for all files -
present and future - residing on its interagency
network.
3. That each agency accept responsibility for making
its COINS' files conform to interagency data
standards.
4. That agreement to common data. standards be made a
prerequisite to joining and using the interagency
COINS network.
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
 Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
STAT
I
March 11, 1975
Page 2
There are a number of reasons why the above policy will work:
1. It is manageable. The number of files on COINS is
small. Each agency will thus be required to convert
selectively, and not en masse.
2. It solves the principal problem. The individual agencies
follow internal standards that are uniform. Only when
the files of several agencies are processed collectively,
such as on COINS, is the user faced with confusing
protocols.
3. It facilitates the cross-correlation of data. Agency
intelligence files cannot be shared unless the user,
sitting at his terminal, can utilize multiple files
as if they were one: common standards make this
possible.
4. It is cost/effective. The information benefits to be
derived by the intelligence analyst are estimated to
be greater than the cost of revising COINS' files.
5. It is a long range solution. The trend in the community
is toward interagency networking of intelligence
information. Consequently, it is wiser to concentrate
on improving the network files rather than individual
agency files if an investment choice must be made at
this time.
6. It can serve as a model. Given time, training, and
practice, the common data standards adopted by COINS
are certain to seep down and affect the computer
programs of the individual agencies.
7. It is consistent with the DCI's interagency authority
and responsibilities.
I believe the above course of action to be the one to follow
and urge that you consider its adoption. Give me a ring, after
you read this letter, if further elaboration is required.
Best regards.
nc ely,
STAT
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIIA-RDP80M01133A00060Q050019-8
 r ' ~." I I b r it tiT r 1j. 1.
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
ASSISTANT SECRE i DENY OF DE t=NSE
WASHINGTON, b. C. 20M
The tonorable William Lr. Colby
Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
The lack of community data stanclarde remains a major deterrent to
effective information exchango between intelligence analysts and inter-
agency data bases. Suggested resolutions in the past have become bogged
down because of difficulties in achieving agreement between agencies.
I believe that a concerted effort agai.ust a bounded subset of the prob-
lem-can achieve much-needed results in a relatively short. time, and can
act as a springboard toward achieving a full solution to the problem.
The files accessible through COINS represent such a. bounded sub-
set. I propose, therefore, to begin' our efforts with those files.
This approach has been discussed by my staff and the staffs of all
involved agencies, as well as with the Information Handling Coussna.ttee
of USIB.
I have asked each COINS file sponsor to provide a representative
to a Task Force under the. COINS Proj6ct Manager,. and' I invite you to
provide a CIA representative. The proposed format.for inventorying
the required information and a milestone schedule is incl'ded as At-
tachments A and B, respectively. Pl ase have your r. tes en ?ative. con-
tact the COINS Project:'tanager, by 7 July.
Sincerely,
Albert C. Hall
STAT
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
 Appr 33A000600050019-8
Memo F'or.
Attached you will find a copy of the proposed
letter!:.frcm Dr. Hall to Mr. Colby, which'Mr, Goulder
discussed with you. Would appreciate yorr coordina-
tion.
Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : CIA-RDP80M01133A0006000~0019-8
 ? i
Approved For Release 2004/03/16: CIA=RDP80M01133AO
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
26 Jun 75
Attached you will find a copy of the proposed
letter!.fro;n Dr. Hall to Mr. Colby, w,Thictt`.Mr, Goulder
discussed with you. Would appreciate your eoordina-
Approved For Release 2004/03/16: CIA-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
(/!C x'11. ,15X1
 Approved for Release 2004/03/16`: CIy4-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
INTELLIGENCE
Sincerely,
Albert C. Hall.
.Approved For Release 2004/03/16 : C)A-RDP80M01133A000600050019-8
The Honorable William E. Colby
Director of Central Xntelligence
Washington, D.C. 20505
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DFi=E=NSE
WASHINGTON, t). C. 2030t
The lack of cummunity data stahdards remains a major deterrent to
effective information exchange between itttell1 Bence analysts and inter-
agency data bases. Suggested resolutions in the past have become bogged
down because of difficulties in tchiving agreement between agencies.
I believe-that a concerted effort against .a bounded subset: of the prob-
lem-ca.n achieve much-needed results in a relatively short: time, and, can
act as a springboard toward achievin a full solution to the problem.
The files accessible through COINS represent such a. bounded sub-
set. T propose, therefore:, to begin' our effoil.s tlith those files.
This approach has been- discussed by tay staff: and the staffs of all
involved agencies, as well as With the Information. 1.Uand11ng.Cotntni.ttee
.Of USI1.
Dear Bill:
tact the COINS Prc ject::Manager, Air. by 7 July.
I have asked each COINS file sponsor to provide a representative
to a Task Force under the COINS Project Manager,.and?I invite you to
provide a CIA representative. The proposed format.for inventorying
the required information arid a milestone schedule -i's incl;;ded as At-
tachnents A and B, respectively. Plfase have your re restittative. con-