FINAL REPORT - CIA TOP SECRET CONTROL SYSTEM

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
14
Document Creation Date: 
December 9, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 5, 2001
Sequence Number: 
5
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
April 18, 1952
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3.pdf1.3 MB
Body: 
25X1 A Approved For Release 20n/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00,042A000100100005-3 TO: Assistant Director Office of Collection and Dissemination Or and Methods Examiner Ts Final Repo - CIA Top Secret Control System 1.PROBLEM: a. Development of a uniform Top Secret control stem for use through out CIA to insure the proper degree of control in the most efficient and economical manner; b. Solution of control problems unique to certain areas; c. Solution of general problems related tolop Secret controls. LAT Ai3 ARAS VISITED: a. Incluyivo Survey Dates: 23 :January - 16 April 1952 b, Tp Secret,Control Areas Viaiteds (1) Central Top Secret Control Office, OCD (2) Office of Research and Reports (a) Cartographic Branch Sub-Station ( Office of Operations (a) Contact Division Sub Station Sub-Station c) FDD Sub-Station (4) Office of National Estimates (5) Office of Procurement (6) Office of the. Comptroller (a) Finance Sub-Station (7) Office of Inspection and Security (6) Office of Communicatione (9) Office of Personnel (a) Personnel (Covert) Sub-Station (b) Military Personnel Sub-Station (10) Office of Training (General) (12) Office of Training (Special) (12) Administrative Services (a) Records Management Sub-Station (b) Reproduction Sub-Station STATS P EC gicp I.,. v; a. " E*4 0 ?-? -1/4; czr 7 ei 4.2 ri) k---! 14 "5 r-1 r) , r r.) f ' 0 cy 4 A L, Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-90042A000100100005-3 d - Approved For Release 2015104/23 : CIA-RDP57-00047A0001001011,005-3 3. - Technical Services Etaff Office of Policy Coordination - Office of Special Operations Office of General Counsel Organisation and Methods Staff Executive Registry TBi FEO3I Present Control ystemst Control eystems vary greatly from area to area. The result is ome areas have limited controls which do not lend themselves to location of documents, efficient follow-up on documents being ally circulated, or strict compliance with security regulations. Other areas have control systems which the examiner considers to be unduly voluminous and cembersome in the effort to maintain the proper degree of control. following are some examples of the variations in controls exercised in the various areae (1) Central Top Secret Control maintains a Posting Record on every CIA control number originated in CC or appearing on the weekly log of any area, which indicated the movement of each copy nember from area to area, and final disposition; a Source card; cover sheets; document receipts, courier receipts; reproduction requisitions; dissemination orders; plus separate card records of material on loan from outside agencies. (2) At least half of the areas visited depend entirely on the weekly log as their record of documents received, circulated internally and dispatched to other areas. These logs are maintained in chrono- logical order. Some areas maintain a handwritten log until the end of the week when the log is typed in the requisite nuMber of copies. Document receipts are clipped to the log or signatures are obtained on the area copy of the loc. Some areas combine the incoming and outgoing log, other maintain separate logs of Incoming and outgoing material. One area maintaine 10 separate logs. (3) Other areas maintain cord: records which are filed by number, source or subject, and prepare weekly logs only for the purpose of furnishing the required record to Central ?p Secret Control. LiLIN FIAL Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP571440*2000100100005-3 Approved For Release 2001704/23 : CIA-RDP57260642A000100100005-3 1.7ctirity information (4) Within area there are no syatematto controls exercised in Divisions or Branches Some intern 1 offices use the log form for their internal controls, others use cards, or aim ]y make notes on sanders or notebooks. (5) Some areas prefer to keep a separate log of documents origi nated in that area, and enter these documents on the weekly log at the end of the week. Other areas simply make a notation on the block of numbers that the number has been assigned a certain individual some make a notation in a notebook that a number baa been assigned. (6) OPC - OSO do not send weekly logs to the Central Top Secret Control Office due to the fact that many of the documents received direct from outside agencies or from field stations are of such nature as to prohibit knowledge of these documents outside the immediate area. Records Management Sub-Station of Administrative Services sends copies of their microfilm and vital documents logs to CTSC in lieu of the standard weekly log. (7) The method of completing the weekly leg area, Some areas enter internal distribution the log form as well as external distribution d sposition of the document. Some areas use the rather than areas in listing distribution. Both make it difficult for CTC to perform its postin varies from area in the final column andfor final names of individuals of these practices function. (8) ORR and Reproduction channel their incoming and outgoing documents through separate channels so that follow-up on documents which have a deadline is not systematic, b. Unique Preblems (1) ORR, Basic Division is located in 25X1A6a which is a considerable distance from the Area control office. When Basic Divinion sends an occasional Top Secret section of an NIS to Reproduction, the section is sent direct to Reproduction rather than being channeled through the Area control office per regulation*, (2) Office of Operations, Contact Division, does not assign a TS control number to teletypes from domestic field stations unless or until they are transmitted outside the Division. (3) Administrative Services, Records Management Sub-Station/ has responsibility for sending analysts and photographers to the various offices of CIA to scan TS documents for selection of those to be microfilmed and filming the documents in the office. The film is then carried back to Records Management for control and filing. These analysts encounter difficulty in convincing CIA offices that they are authorised to have access to such documents. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : drA1/441:0626r0042A000100100005-3 g riry fniormkti"n -4- (4) Aduin.ietrat1ye ..,ervices, Reproduction Sub-Station, has a security problem in that CIA offices occasionally send members of their own staff to stay with "super -sensitive" documents through- out the reproduction procese. A member of the Reproduction staff must remain with the visitor throughout his visit to protect the security of the plant. Such visitors draw attention of the plant workers to the fact that something special is in process. (5) Certain T6 materials are sent to the Technical Services Staff for analysis and the material is usually destroyed or mutilAted during the analysis process. The analyst prepares a memorandum report to the requesting office on the findings of the analysis. The Area TSCO requests instructions as to disposition of the cover sheet attached to the destroyed material and proper handling of the memorandum which is frequently not Top t,ecret in itself. C. Probi (1) ultipie numering of documents from outside agencies. Every area visited receives documents direct from outside agencies rather than through the Central Top Secret Control Office. Fre- quently copies of the same document will be sent to two or more areas of CIA. Each area receiving a copy of the document assigns an area 5-digit control number to the copy received. The result is that each copy of the document is controlled bv a different CIA control number. (2) Multiple numbering of actions on the same document --A document originated in one area or received from an outside agency is frequently sent to other areas for comment or *Lotion. Each area assigns its control number to its action on the document. This practice makes it difficult to assemble in one group the complete series of actions on one document, (3) Lock of complete controls and record copies in Central Top rot Control Office.--The theory on which a central control office s based is that this central office will have a complete record of every transaction on any given document and that a master file copy of the documents themselves wilLreside in the central files. Under the present system the CTUU does not record movement of doe wants originally controlled by CTSCO (6-digit numbers) beyond the first CIA recipient. CISCO maintains a complete posting record of all Area originated documents (5-digit numbers) but only about 20 per cent of the documents themselves are furnished to the CTSCo for the central files. (4) Signature Record and Cover Sheet. Although Regulation states that "Lech CIA member who reads or learns the contents of a Top Secret docueent will sign his name on the cover sheet", this Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57100042 Inri,r3a 6100100005-3 25X1A 25X1A 25X1A 25X1A Approved For Release 20171/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100109905-3 regulation is is not obesrved by a number of CIA off gials. In some instances officials have instructed their clerical' staff to remove the cover sheet before submitting documents to them. (5) Rand-carrying of documents without recome to control channels.--Rand-carrying of TE documents by officials from area to area without recourse to the Area control office is prevalent throughout This practice also extends to outside agencies. Reguistio states, "The CIA Top Secret Control Officer and Area and Alternate Top Secret Control Officers are the only persons who shall be permitted to transmit end receipt for Top Secret material moving between CIA and outside agencies.' (6) Authoritf vested in Assistant Top Secret Control Officers.-- Regulation fill= Section L.(9) infers that Assistant Top Secret Control Of cere are authorized to transmit and teceipt for doe- =onto moving anywhere within CIA. The Top Secret Guide which is furnished to Areas states that, ".....a limited number of Assistants to provide for the securitg. of TS documents dispatched internally to various sub-divisions of the office....Re may release a document for transmittal to another Assistant within his Area.' The apparent conflict between these instructions has resulted in confusion in the areas; hence, in some areas assistants are authorized to transmit and receipt for documents from other areae. This practice prevents the proper degree of control in the Area TCO. (7) Authority to see Top Secret documents gulation states that,"Office heads are responsible for the designation of persons in their offices...whom they deem are operationally required to see Top Secret material.. ."Area control officers state tl?uU they are not furnished with up-to-date lists of persons authorized to see. (8) Over-class cation.--Although some progress has been made toward overcoming the tendency toward over-classification, the examiner hes found indications that at least 50 per cent of docu- ments classified Top Secret should bear a lever classification. This survey was Ifinited to catrol offices so that information on this subject is limited; however, in only one area was evidence found that an objective review is made of classifications as directed in Regulation (9) Physical security of Top Secret documents.--Bindings of Top Secret documents which are not issued in the form of publications are not sufficiently secure in that the cover page and the last page are of the same flimsy material as the remainder of the document and the pages are stapled together. Frequent handling results in pages being torn completely swig or mutilated. (la) Officer-courier schedules.--Inasmuch as all Top Secret docu- ments must be transmitted by officer-courier, it would be helpful if each Area could be furnished with an up-to-date officer-courier schedule. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 25X1A Approved For Release 21701/04/23 : CIA-REF57-00042A000100140005-3 14' (11) Destruction of documents and waste.--Location of many offices at a considerable distance from "M" Building *tore all Top Secret material must be destroyed imposes a hardship on the areas as to transportation and sufficient time. Also, Regulationstatee that, "P reliminary drafty, copies, carbons, cils, stenographic notes, work sheets, and the like, pertaining to classified matter ofe411classifications, will be torn or shredded into small pieces, and placed in envelopes or other receptacles come spicuously marked 'SECRET,.' The examiner believes that intelligible Top Secret waete should not be included with Secret waste. (12) Unnumbered TS document-B.?Occasionally an area will receive an unnumbered document from another area and willeeekUn a control number. In some instances these documents are still in draft form. (23) Inventory of TS documental?Inventory of documents has been implemented in only one area to the knowledge of the examiner. This inventory covered 50,000 documents and was completed over a period of seven months as an additional duty to the regular duties of the area control office. CONCLUSIO a. ..1.1Cottalliedal (l) Establishment of Uniform Control ?yetem: (a) A uniform control system should be established throughout CIA which would include instructions for control of documents from the highest to lowest echelon. These instructions should be issued in the form of Procedures Manual which wold outline in detail the regulations to be compl, ed with, the forms to be used, the channels of control, etc. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 25X1 A Approved For Release 2061/04/23 : CIA-R P P-0004A000100100005-3 -7- (1) The following control the examiner for consideration-, prectical and feasible for use Central Top Secret Control Office. Wee cunnt Number lAttec Date is proposed by le considered 1 areas and the oli Control No, No. of Pages Received from tnolosuren o Num Dispatched to Date The above card would be prepared in quadrupijeata transaction in which a document is originated a, transmitted from an Area to another Area, or tr.njjtte4 to an outside agency. This card would aleo be prepared on any document received from an outside agency. The card would be a snap-out type with carbon interleaved and each copy would be a different color. One copy of the card would be sent to Central Top Secret Control Office at the end of the week indicating "Received from" and "Date." One additional copy would be held by the area until the document le transmitted eleewhere, then completed as to "Dispatched ton and "Date" and forwarded to CTSCO at the and of the week in which this transaction tock place. If the document is received and transmitted within the same week, both copies of the card would go forward to C=0 at the same time. CTSCO would file one copy of the card by control number end the other copy by souree. (d) One coy of the yRykLkftnicAlpd by the Approved ForReleaeasitOrt RiTer6a4drrtirMal-ce. The source file may be further broken down by subject if desired. Approved For Release 2001704/23 : CIA:RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 -8- 14.8 a control card would replace (i) the Posting Record maintained by Central Top Secret Control Office on all CIA control numbers, which is obtained by transfer of information from weekly logs to a osting Record Card, (Ii) the source card which is intellofsxed for Central MSCO on all CIA control numbers, (iii) the weekly log prepared by areas, (iv) the various other reccrds maintained by areas, which are necessary- under the present system to facilitate ready loca- tion of documents or records. (b) The control card could be flag.ed with colored tate for use in follow-up on documents which must move out of an area by a deadline date, follow-up on return of signed docu- ment receipts. (1) Central TCO would have a complete record of all ansactions on both 6-digit and mdigit numbers though the actual amount of work necessary in CTSCO to obtain these complete recorde would be preparation of the control cards on documents which are receivaa in CISCO for transmiesion to areas and/or Reproduction. (d) The space on the lower half of the card would enable to have on the one card a record of internal routing as as transmiesion and dispatch to other areas. The space on weir half also permits space for signatures of personnel n the area who receive the document. (0) Use of the control card would enable areas to main- tain in a separate block the cards on all documents originated by the area. (1) Docum?nt receipts could be made in single copy only and the Card flagged that a signed receipt is due to be. returned. The returned receipts could be filed immediately back of the control card. ( ) The control card provides ample space for listing of internal dissemination whereas the log form does not provide space for internal dissemination. ) The proposed control card is the eise of the LEM card. Thus, file cabinets for the control cards can be easily obtained, the info rega din The proposed control card provides for listin,g of all ation that areas and 0=0 are presently listing any document. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 - __- Approved For Release 2001704/23 : e1AAID1147143t60142A000100100005-3 9- (41) Use of the proposed control card would enable those areas Which handle sensitive material, information on which should not be sent outside the area, to readily separate those caros from cards dealing with material of general know- ledge and send the appropriate cards to the CT;.-CO. (k) Use of the proposed control card would facilitate future inventories of documents. (3) DisadvantaOst The examiner believes that the only disadvantage inherent in the proposed system is that, whereas the present Posting Record of CTSCO incorporate, on one card all transactions on any one document of the 5-digit series, the proposed system will reqoire a separate card for each transaction. However, it is believed that this one die advantage is far outweighed by the many advantages. After a given period of time all cards on a document can by retired except the card on each copy number indicating its final dispoeition. b. Unipe Problemss The unique problems outlined under L'ection 31b. can be handled on an individual basis with the areas concerned end appropriate action will be recommended under Section h,b. c. 20222IILEERDIMPSI (1) Multiple numbering of documents from outside ;gencies.-- It is impractical from the standpoint of control and sfficisnt operations to have documents trickling in to the various areas direct from outside agencies. Any document which is of interest to more than one area should be controlled originally by the Central TCO in order that this office can be, in fact, the central source of information on any document of general interest. Also, many documents from outside agencies are received in single copy and most be reproduced for CIA purposes. Central TCO has the facilities for obtaining rapid reproduction of such documents. It is also in a position to obtain a valid estimate of CIA requirements. It is recognized that this problem of areas receiving documents direct can never be completely overcome inasmuch as documents are sometimes handed to officials in meetings or the urgency of the matter necessitates the most direct approach. However, exceptional treatment for such documents is recommended in Section 4, 43.(1). (2) Multiple numbering of actions on the same document.-- Recommendation for correction of this problem is proposed in Sectiom4? c. (2). Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 Approved For Release 200764/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 (3) Lack of complete controls and record copies in Central TSCO.- se of the proposed control system would complete the records of Central TSCO. It is believed that it would be of considerable value to CIA to have record copies of documents in the Central files. It could be a function of the areas to determine which documents are of general interest and send a copy of the document to Central TSCO when the control card goes forward. To keep the files of the Central TSCO as *mall as possible, such documents could be micro- filmed and the copy returned to the area. (4) Signature Record and Cover Sheet.--This appears to be an instance where the regulation should be either enforced or revoked. It is beyond the authority of area control officers to enforce this regulation if officials are unwilling to observe it. This seems to be a matter for review by the Office of Inspection and Security. (5) Rand-carrying of documents.--Lvery area visited by the *miner seems to make ever., possible effort to obtain the Cooperation of the ;staff in the observance of channels. The answer to this problem seems to be the full support and cooperation of Office heads in impressing upon their otaff the importance of control channels and enforcement of punitive measures to correct Osfaulte. (6) iuthority of Assistant lop Secret Control Officers.-- The exeminer believes that the regulation should be revised to state plainly that assistants are authorised to transmit and receipt for documents 221.1y. within their own immediate Division or Branch. Any movement of a document between Divisions or outside the Area should be channeled through the Area TSCO. (7) Authority to see.-- Office heade should be reminded of their responsibility in this respect and should designate someone to inform the Area TSCO and assistants as to the names of such individuals and maintain current lists. Over-classification.--To overcome the rob of over- classification of documents by the originator, it is recommended that Office heads should designate a limited number of persons in the various divisions and staff offices to review objectively each document originated in that office, for the purpose of disapproval or approval of a classification of Top Secret or Secret proposed by the originator. These individuals should also review periodically all Top Secret or Secret documents originated by that Office to determine whether that classification is still valid. The reviewer should be thoroughly indoctrinated by the Office of Inspection and Security as to the criteria to be applied in determining the proper classification. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 -u (9) Unnumbered TS documente.--The examiner believes that any document, as soon its it evolves into intelligible form, should be assigned a control number because the material therein is Top Secret regardlees of the form. When a draft is being circulated from area to area for comment: or action., it is very, difficult to maintain a proper degree of control without a control number. The present practice of assigning the control number of one area to a draft prepared by another area leads to confesion. (10) After review of the problems involved in conducting an inventory of all documents from the inception of CIA to the present the examiner believes that inventory should be started with all documents from January 1, 1950, through June 30, 1952. Thereat quarterly inventory should be taken in each area . Report of results of inventories should be provided to the CIA Top Secret Control Officer within fifteen days after the cut-off date of the period covered by inventory. The first inventory will be the most difficult and should be initiated at the earliest possible date. Each area should be responsible for all documents (all copies thereof) originated by the area plus all documents received direct from outside agencies. Central Top Secret Control would be responsible for accounting for all documents bearing a 6-digit control number. If the proposed control system is adopted, Central Top Secret Control would be responsible after June 30, 1952, for initiating the quarterly inventory and requesting an accounting from the areas for all documents not recorded in the Central MO. Uniform Cont fleeting with all Area Top Secret Control Officers to discuss he proposed uniform control system. Preparation of a Vrocedures Manual outlining in detail: (a) Regulations to be complied with; (b) Each step of the control procedure to be performed by Central TSCO, Area TSCOls, e,ub-Stations, 1:ivision8 Branches, etc.; ) Forms to be used; a) Annexes which are removable--li ting all Alternate and Assistant Top Secret Control Officers, all persons authorized-to see Top Secret material, persons desig- nated to review classifications, persons authorized to hand-carry material outside the Agency, officer-courier schedules, arrangements for destruction. Periodic visits to each area by the CIA or Central Top Secret Control Officer to review the problems of the area. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042e00100100005-3 Approved For Release 200704/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 Unique Poblemei (1) ORR, Basic Division should become a Sub-Gtation to tate handling of Top Secret sections of NIB. (2) Office of Operations, Contact Division should assign a TS control number to teletype and 25X1 A execute a control card. (3) Administrative Services, Records Management Sub-Station, should be provided by the Office of Inspection and Security with special passes for analysts and photographers to use when visiting offices to microfilm TS documents. These passes should be controlled by the Area TSCO and retained in that office except when in use by analysts and photographers. (4) In order to cut down the number of visitors to Reproduction who accompany documents through processing, it is recommended that clearances could be obtained for the Reproduction TS control officer and the Production Coordinator to handle certain extra-sensitive materials. The Production Coordinator is capable of operating the various machines in the plant and could personally process such material. (5) Analysts in the Technical Services Staff should execute the destruction certificate at the bottom of the Signature Record and Cover Sheet when TS material is destroyed by analysis. The memorandum report, regardless of the classification, should be attached to the cover sheet for return to the office of origin. Osneral Problems? (1) Multiple Numbering of documents from outside agencies.-- IA ?op Secret Control Officer should request all outside agencies to send all Top Seoret material through the Central Top Secret Control Office. Exceptions could be made for "eyes only" and other sensitive materials. In the case of exceptions, the area receiving the document direct should call the Central TSCO for a 6-digit control number. Central TSCO would place a control card in suspense until further information would be submitted at the end of the week by the area. (2) Multiple number of actions on the same document.--A control number should be assigned by the originating CIA area. All actions taken by other areas should bear the same control number followed by a dash and the office symbol, for example, 43567..00. If the same document returns to 00 for a second action the symbol would be 43567.40.20 Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 Approved For Release 2001764/23 : CM-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 om.firov 25X1A (3) Lack of complete controls and record copies in Central T- 0.--Adoption of the propoeed control asters and submission of record copies of documents to Central TSCO are recommended. (4) Signature Record and Cover Sheet.--It is recommended that the Office of Inspection and Security should be requested to review use of the cover sheet and either insure enforcement of the regulation or revoke same. Hand-carrying of documents.--It is recommended that the fice of Inspection and Security should be requested to instruct Office Heeds to designate certain officials to be authorized to hand-carry documents to outside agencies. Office Heads should be requested also to give their full support to the observance of control channels through the media of periodic memoranda to their staff and verbal reminders in staff meetings. (6) Authority vested in Asst ant Top Secret Control Office It is recommended that Regulation should be revised to restrict Assistant TSCO's to transmitting and receipting for documents only within their immediate areas (Divisional, Drenches, staff offices). (7) Authority to see.--Office Heade should review periodically the lists of persons authorized to see Top Secret documents and issue a. memorandum as to revisions to the Area Taco and the Central TECO. (8) Over-classification.--Office Heads should be instructed to designate a limited number of persons in the various divisions and staff offices to review objectively each doaument Which the origi- nator has classified Top Secret or Secret. The reviewer should be thoroughly indoctrinated Iv the Office of Inspection and Security as to the criteria to be applied in determining proper classifica- tions. (9) Physical security of Top Secret documents.--It is recommended that each Top Secret document should be backed by a thick backing sheet on which only the classification and the document control number would appear-. The documents should be stapled at least twice both front and back. (10) Officer-courier echedules.--Schedules should be furnished to each Area TCO and kept current. Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 25X1A Approved For Release 2001704/23 : CIA-RD,F5J-00042A000100100005-3 Inventory of of documents rom 1 January 1950, through, 30 June 1952, should be initiated immediately. Thereafter, quarterly inventories should be initiated by the Central Top Secret Control Office. ONCURRENCLS CIA Top Secret Control Officer Peel Organization SflU Methods Service Approved For Release 2001/04/23 : CIA-RDP57-00042A000100100005-3 5X1A9a 25X1A9a