MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, 27 FEBRUARY 1980

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00988R000500050035-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 9, 2003
• Sequence Number: 35
• Publication Date: March 4, 1980
• Content Type: MF

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EXCGMI 9031-80
0 4 Mkt 1980
25X1 FROM
Special Assistant to the DDCI
SUBJECT . Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting,
27 February 1980
1. The Executive Committee met on 27 February 1980 to continue the annual
review of selected ADP applications. Mr. Carlucci chaired the meeting;
Messrs. Dirks (DDS&T), Wortman (DDA), Clarke (D/NFAC), Stein (ADDO),
Lipton (Compt.), and Ware (D/EEO) attended; Mr. Briggs (IG) participated as
25X1 an observer.
2. In his presentation on the ETECS system, Mr. McDonald (D/OL)
emphasized that this computer-based text. processing system has been well
received and cost effective in its two years of operation. He showed a
brief film that reviewed the evolution in producing publications, the
current role of the ETECS system in publishing Agency products, and
25X1 plans for future ETECS applications.
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3. Mr. Fitzwater (D/OPPPM) outlined the progress to date in develop-
ing PERSIGN, an integrated, centralized personnel information system
scheduled to become operational on 9 March. PERSIGN will replace three
outmoded computer systems, enabling the OPPRIt to provide more accurate,
up-to-date personnel information. Planned FY-81 and FY-82 enhancements
include the General Archives project, a storage/retrieval system of
historical personnel data, and Virtual PERSIGN, a system that will
allow Offices access to data on their employees and storage space
for unique data needs. In the course of questions and comments,
Mr. Johnson (D/ODP) noted the implementation of PERSIGN will free some
ODP resources that subsequently will be used for OF ADP applications;
Mr. Briggs noted the necessity of remaining alert to the possibilities
of accidental spillage of information and mentioned that different
standards are being followed across the Agency regarding the disclosure
of the names of Agency employees; Mr. Fitzwater said that an audit
trail will be available to help determine who has had access to the
data; and Mr. Johnson emphasized that attention is being paid to main-
taining employee cover situations, and the system will require
considerable maintenance.I-I
4. In reviewing OER's computer applications, Mr.~(OER)
advised the Committee that without these applications, OER could not
produce some of the finished intelligence that it does or interpret
some of the current intelligence its consumers require. As examples,
he cited recent requests for information relating to the Iranian
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crisis. Mr. 0 then noted several ADP issues warranting managerial
attention: difficulties in recruiting high caliber economists and
computer specialists; the necessity to develop the flexibility to be
able to rely on new developments in computer technology; the need
for high-speed, reliable storage for 8.4 billion bytes of economic data
(some data are now being lost because of the deterioration of magnetic
tapes); and the need to consider new means of storage being developed
in the DDS&T. In the discussion that followed, Committee members
noted that the current ADP review process might stifle innovation
rather than encourage it, as the Agency should be doing. Mr. Dirks
noted the possibility that Congressional Oversight Committees
might someday question why the Agency does not use more resources
to increase its computer capacity. The possibility of freeing
some Agency ADP funds now used for Community applications for
more Agency applications like those developed in OER was raised.
Mr. Johnson noted that ODP has the capacity to meet the identified
ADP needs of Agency components. He also advised that some of
the problems surfaced by Mr. 0-- deterioration of magnetic
tapes, requirements for software packages -- were unique to OER
because of its particular needs.
5. Mr. 0 (OD&E) outlined the objectives of DDS&T's MAD
computer system, which encompasses all of OD&E's computer support
for a major collection system. He explained that the resumption of
FY-78 study activity levels and more complex simulations are
expected to increase the FY-80 costs of the system. Mr. Dirks noted
this system as an example where increased computer capacity could
be translated directly into savings in employee programming time.
Some programs now take 5-10 hours to run. Mr. Johnson encouraged
Mr. Dirks to submit any such requirements to ODP, recognizing the
need for sufficient lead time for planning. Mr. Briggs again raised-
the question of whether it is still desirable to fund a project
like this one from the Agency budget rather than the National Program
budget. 0
25X1 6. Mr.O also from OD&E, briefed the Committee on PADS,
a set of analysis projects collectively used to evaluate system
design and performance tradeoffs for another major collection system.
This computer system, which costs about $700,000 per year, enables
the Agency to run analytic models of the proposed system design to
measure performance against requirements and to verify contractor
design analysis. (Mr. Dirks noted some ODP models have been better
25X1 than those of the contractors)
7. Mr. Carlucci adjourned the meeting.
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Approved For Release 2003/06/26 : CIA-RDP85-009 8R000500050035-5
,-Distribution: EXC0~1 9031-80
Orig. - EXC0,M1 Minutes file
1 - SA/DDCI
1 - SA/DDCI
1 - DDA
1 - DDO
1 - DDS$T
1 - D/NFAC
1 - D/EEO
1 - Co t.
1 - DCI
1 - DDCI
1 -ER
1 - Exec.
EXC0N1 Subject file (routed to other EXCOM Staff members first)
EXCOM Chrono
OGC
D/ODP
DCI/CT
COMPT/AG
IG
C/IHTF
25X1 ODDCI/EXCOM lr 4 March 1980
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