IC SECURE TEXT EDITING SYSTEM STUDY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82M00531R000400260016-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2006
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: August 16, 1973
• Content Type: MF

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DCI/IC 73-0901
16 August 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT IC Secure Text Editing System Study
1. Introduction. This study, to develop an Intelligence
Community Secure Text Editing System, was conducted during the
past several months. It was undertaken based on the premise
that the DCI would like to improve the coordination process and
cycle time during periods of crises or increased tensions around
the world. The system would also be used for daily coordination
of other intelligence community documents. There are two basic
benefits that can be obtained by achieving this capability; i.e.;
(a) an improvement in the coordination process and cycle time,
and (b) an improvement in this communications media will assist
in bringing the intelligence community closer together. To
accomplish this we have examined the use of text editing equip-
ment interconnected via secure communication lines at each key
location. In addition a secure voice conference capability,
for a limited number of subscribers, would augment the CRT text
editing systems. The system is to be engineered so that it can
be expandable in numbers of CRTs as well as capable of being
connected to computers using teleprocessing techniques.
Attachment A is a list of the key IC people that assisted
with the study. The cooperation of all of the other members of
the intelligence community (i.e., CIA, State, DIA, NSA), as well
as White House Situation Room and JCS personnel has been excellent.
In particular assistance from Mr. William Eisner, OJCS, and Mr.
Jay Watkins, FMSAC, was very helpful.
During this investigation period discussions and related
internal plans at each agency/department, as well as future plans
for COINS/IDHS/WWMCCS networks, have been reviewed and our concept
is compatible with these programs.
2. Text Editin Communications Net. We have been investiga-
ting the nee for and technical approaches that can be taken to
improve by expediting, and therefore in some instances provide
inputs not otherwise possible within defined time constraints,
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coordination of action memoranda among members of the intelli-
gence community during crises or periods of increased tensions.
We have also considered the use of this text editing capability
for daily coordination of CIBs, NIEs, SNIEs, Watch Officer Bul-
letins, W.O. Summaries or other time urgent memoranda/position
papers.
Three different technical approaches for the text
editing system have been examined. They are: (a) a stand-alone,
essentially point-to- m system: b use of a large 25X1
centralized computerl system; and
(c) a small stand-alone computer -- able in the
number of terminals that can be connected, flexible in that it
can be tied to other host computers in a network in the future
and with a growth capability to assist the analyst with his job.
The stand-alone terminals (approach a) are relatively
expensive (some as high as $18,000 each) and lacking in capabil-
ities. Some systems do not have a communications interface or
a CRT display or both. The systems considered do not operate
in a broadcast or conference mode. This capability would have
to be engineered for the standalone system. The record keeping
will have to be handled manually and the mode of operation would
probably, in many cases, be handled with a hard copy rather than
a soft copy (CRT) display since the transmission would be control-
led by the sender and there would be limited storage available.
In addition the system would not have a growth potential of
being able to interface with other host computers and computer
networks without additional engineering. An interface with
a photo-composition printer would be limited and would require
some engineering. There would be a limited possibility of
providing an anftiyst storage and retrieval manipulation
capability which is also dependent upon engineering changes.
Usiny an existing large CPU system--approach b--(e.g., 25X1
F causes
a multi-level computer security problem. i would
exist within the parent organization as well as within this
sensitive intelligence community text editing net; i.e., the
misrouting of a sensitive paper from the DCI for the White
House could be extremely serious. Adding a text editing
applications software package to an existing system impacts
on the capacity and throughput of the existing system and
the converse is also true. This approach will also limit
the expansion of the system in that it is dependent upon
the capacity of the host system and, therefore, changes to
this system could impact the host system. This in turn
also limits the evolutionary growth which will permit the
analysts to perform other related functions using the text
editing terminal. In addition some of the computer centers,
although operating 24 hours per day, do not operate their
time sharing systems 24 hours per day which is required
for the text editing system as presently envisioned.
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Approach c is preferred.
Growth capabilities for the Text Editing Communications
Net would include: (a) file manipulation, to include, for ex-
ample, some of the features on Dough Englebart's SRI system, (b)
an ability to connect to the CIA host computer, and (c) an ability
to connect to the IDHS, WWMCCS and COINS networks for file storage
and retrieval. The concept proposed is also expandable, on an
evolutionary basis, for providing a remote job entry station
(batch processing) at each location for general computer processing
as required.
The system considered has been sized to have two CRT
(Cathode Ray Tubes) and a printer (selectric typewriter) at each
of six locations. They are: CIA (also for use by DCI), NSA,
State, DIA, JCS and WHSR. Based upon requirements the WHSR ter-
minal could be a receive only terminal. An individual at each
location would be able to type a document and have it displayed
on his CRT. He will be able to insert characters, words, sen-
tences, paragraphs and pages as well as delete the same. The
system will automatically align all words along the left margin
(left justify). As appropriate the words would move from line
to line (line wrap-around) so that no spaces would be left on
a line. The system would not hyphenate words on the right hand
margin (although this is a growth capability) but would look
like this typed page. He will also be able to transpose charac-
ters, words, sentences, paragraphs and pages. When his document
is complete he will have the ability to transmit it to one or up
to five other locations. One mode of operation would be to display,
for example, an input from State on the DC1Is (CIA) CRT. If
the DCI is preparing a consolidated paper the action officer would
be able to scan through the input paper and extract sentences,
paragraphs, pages, etc., and display it on the second CRT where
he would prepare his consolidated position paper. The action
officer would be able to ripple through all of the other inputs
as appropriate (DIA, CIA, NSA, JCS) and perform the same function.
He would also be able to recompose, add, delete and transpose.
When the DCI is satisfied, his version can be transmitted to one
or all of the input locations. Using the analysts' secure voice
conferencing net, the action officers would be able to discuss
the action paper and make changes using the CRT. When concurrence
has been reached, a hard copy can be printed at each location and
a finalaversionTitransmitted to the WHSR. In addition each of the
terminals could be used independently to perform text editing.
The system has been sized so that each terminal could
store approximately ten documents, single spaced, approximately
ten pages in length. Archival storage could be made on a com-
puter tape; however, it has been considered that archival stor-
age would be the hard copy and that the system would only pro-
vide temporary storage.
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An interface with a Magnetic Tape Selectric Typewriter
(MTST) and a communicating Magnetic Card Selectric Typewriter
(MCST) will be options for the system. This will permit another
office to prepare a position paper on their own MTST/MCST. In-
stead of retyping the paper for transmission-coordination pur-
poses, it will be possible to input the mag tape/card to the
text editing systemz!and display the text on the CRT. The paper
could then be transmitted to another location. An ability to
directly interface with the PSD photo-composition system or to
provide tapes for large volume printing will also be an option
to the system. An interface with an Optical Character Recog-
nition-page reading system will also be an option. This would
permit inputs to the system from hard copies prepared on IBM
selectric typewriters by other offices--another time saving
feature.
Attachment B is a list of equipments and companies
surveyed for this text editing capability. Many visits were
made to contractors' facilities for demonstrations and discus-
sions. In addition numerous briefings and discussions were
held in Headquarters with contractor personnel. There are a
number of systems available primarily in the printing services--
publishing and newspapers--fields that are very close to the
type system proposed. One approach using a PDP-11/45 and Delta
Data displays is particularly attractive from a cost standpoint,
as well as being developed by RADC for use in a DIA indications
and warning analysts' net. I understand that the Army (Project
ASSIST), Navy and AF plan to procure PDP-11/45's and use them
for the I&W net as well as to interface them with the Intelli-
gence Data Handling System (IDHS) and the World-Wide Military
Command and Control (WWMCCS). This, of course, fits in with
the growth objectives for this system. Furthermore, I under-
stand that OJCS will use PDP-11/45's to control their Mass
Memory system. In addition there are other DEC equipments in
Headquarters (PDP lls F PDP 15). Other systems seriously con-
sidered were the IBM 370-125, and the CDC 1774 or 1784.
3. Recommendation: It is recommended that the Data-Logics
Inc. system be procure for the IC Text Editing Communications
Net. Delivery can be made nine months after receipt of the con-
tract. It is recommended that the IC Staff fund for this system--
arrangements would be made to have DEC maintain the equipment
per discussions with Data-Logics and DEC personnel. The equip-
ment could be leased; however, since the equipment is either
being used or it is planned to use the equipment elsewhere tNSA -
OMNIBUS, CIA - Mass Memory, DIA - IOW Net, Army, Navy and AF
I&W Net and IDHS front end processor) it is recommended that we
purchase the equipment. The CPU and peripherals will cost about
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$80,000. Twelve Delta Data 5200 CRT displays will cost approx-
imately $60,000. Software costs plus additional printers are
estimated at $60,000 or a total system cost of $200,000. In
addition there will be additional communication (cryptos,
modems and multiplexers and leased lines) costs. This is
estimated at $50,000 excluding crypto equipment which is
not chargeable. The leased line costs are estimated at
$5,000 per year or about $420/mo. Each of the IC agencies
should fund for their own communications lines to CIA
Headquarters and any equipments leased for their installa-
tion. The CPU equipment should be installed in CIA Head-
quarters and the Office of Joint Computer Support should
be assigned to oversee development, installation and to
operate and maintain the system. Terminals would be
installed at each IC location and connected to the CPU
via 2400 B/SEC lines (normal voice grade circuits). The
CIA Office of Communications should be tasked with the
assignment of working with OJCS to coordinate the communi-
cations circuits required at each agency.
An IC User Task Force should be convened to review
and prepare an operational concept for this system. The
membership to include the IC Staff, CIA, State, DIA, NSA
and others as appropriate.
Ch support a
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Attachment A to
DCI/IC 73-0901
IC Staff principals assisting with the Text Editing
System Study:
* Temporarily assigned by the Officeoof Communications
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