A FUNCTIONAL OVERVIEW

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B01152R001001310001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 23
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 11, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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tents
Introduction
SAFE Overview
Disseminating Information
Reading and Disposing Information
Searching and Retrieving Information
Maintaining Information
Composing and Writing Reports
Coordinating, Reviewing and Editing
Assisting Users
Summary
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Intelligence Production Today
INTELLIGENCE
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Introduction
Timely, comprehensive, carefully analyzed information is needed by
those who formulate and implement U.S. foreign policy. Such
intelligence may be produced to maintain current awareness, to focus
on long-term trends or in response to an international crisis. Analysts
in CIA and DIA analyze and synthesize available material from
many sources; the end result is finished intelligence. Simply stated,
this is the purpose of the intelligence process.
For many years, analysts have received raw intelligence information
through a dissemination system that distributes many millions of new
items per year in paper form. The process is normally slow at best,
involving considerable manual review and dissemination. Interest
profiles indicate who is to receive which new items and then prompt
distribution of mail to central locations rather than to individuals.
Alterations to an interest profile can take days.
Advances in technical collection systems and collateral reporting are
making even more information available. Yet a disproportionately
small effort has been devoted to providing an integrated set of
automated tools to support the people who must review and
assimilate this increasing flow of information. This is especially
burdensome as the scope of intelligence reporting broadens and
deadlines tighten.
To meet today's challenges in producing comprehensive, accurate
and timely intelligence, analysts must have easy access to material
from the entire body of available infofmation. This increasing body
of information includes not only the traditional sources of classified
reports from the Department of State, NSA, military commands,
CIA and DIA, but also open source technical reports, journals, news
media, magazines and books. Analysts screen incoming material and
correlate it with information held in personal, branch or other files.
They frequently also retrieve relevant data from central libraries
(among others, RECON at CIA; ARISA and ASDIA at DIA) whose
indexes provide access to additional information.
The plain fact is, however, that analysts have difficulty in both
getting at and effectively utilizing the vast all-source intelligence
resources available. This difficulty increases to near impossibility as
the time available for analysis decreases.
In many cases, analysts depend on memory or data they can easily
locate, usually in personal files. Documents, if put into central
libraries at all, are often indexed for only a few major subjects.
There is no way to gain access to the files of colleagues other than
through personal contact.
To enhance analysts' ability to provide the most comprehensive
intelligence analyses, systems are needed that will give them easy
access to any information available to them within applicable security
considerations. Specifically, analysts need facilities that will enable
them to define and alter interest profiles rapidly and precisely;
quickly and conveniently acquire, scan and dispose of incoming
information; develop specialized files that can be shared by
designated colleagues; maintain extremely large files and data bases;
gain access to and use multiple files; and to prepare, coordinate and
distribute finished intelligence items.
The goal of SAFE (Support for the Analyst's File Environment) is to
provide analysts in the DIA and the Intelligence Directorate in CIA
with a single information processing and handling system which
supports each of them directly and makes other facilities readily
available for use in any aspect of the intelligence process.
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Intelligence Production with SAFE
? FASTER
? BETTER ANALYTICAL TOOLS
? MORE EFFICIENT MAINTENANCE
IMPROVED INTELLIGENCE
? WRITING
? MAINTAINING
? SCREENING
? READING
? SEARCHING
A~ proved-or Rel 2008/06/1-CIA-R~ 5B0-52R0 01311-37
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ntroduction
Timely, comprehensive, carefully analyzed information is needed by
those who formulate and implement U.S. foreign policy. Such
intelligence may be produced to maintain current awareness, to focus
on long-term trends or in response to an international crisis. Analysts
in CIA and DIA analyze and synthesize available material from
many sources; the end result is finished intelligence. Simply stated,
this is the purpose of the intelligence process.
For many years, analysts have received raw intelligence information
through a dissemination system that distributes many millions of new
items per year in paper form. The process is normally slow at best,
involving considerable manual review and dissemination. Interest
profiles indicate who is to receive which new items and then prompt
distribution of mail to central locations rather than to individuals.
Alterations to an interest profile can take days.
Advances in technical collection systems and collateral reporting are
making even more information available. Yet a disproportionately
small effort has been devoted to providing an integrated set of
automated tools to support the people who must review and
assimilate this increasing flow of information. This is especially
burdensome as the scope of intelligence reporting broadens and
deadlines tighten.
To meet today's challenges in producing comprehensive, accurate
and timely intelligence, analysts must have easy access to material
from the entire body of available information. This increasing body
of information includes not only the traditional sources of classified
reports from the Depaztment of State, NSA, military commands,
CIA and DIA, but also open source technical reports, journals, news
media, magazines and books. Analysts screen incoming material and
correlate it with information held in personal, branch or other files.
They frequently also retrieve relevant data from central libraries
(among others, RECON at CIA; ARISA and ASDIA at DIA) whose
indexes provide access to additional information.
The plain fact is, however, that analysts have difficulty in both
getting at and effectively utilizing the vast all-source intelligence
resources available. This difficulty increases to near impossibility as
the time available for analysis decreases.
In many cases, analysts depend on memory or data they can easily
locate, usually in personal files. Documents, if put into central
libraries at all, are often indexed for only a few major subjects.
There is no way to gain access to the files of colleagues other than
through personal contact.
To enhance analysts' ability to provide the most comprehensive
intelligence analyses, systems are needed that will give them easy
access to any information available to them within applicable security
considerations. Specifically, analysts need facilities that will enable
them to define and alter interest profiles rapidly and precisely;
quickly and conveniently acquire, scan and dispose of incoming
information; develop specialized files that can be shared by
designated colleagues; maintain extremely large files and data bases;
gain access to and use multiple files; and to prepare, coordinate and
distribute finished intelligence items.
The goal of SAFE (Support for the Analyst's File Environment) is to
provide analysts in the DIA and the Intelligence Directorate in CIA
with a single information processing and handling system which
supports each of them directly and makes other facilities readily
available for use in any aspect of the intelligence process.
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Intelligence Production with SAFE
? FASTER
? BETTER ANALYTICAL TOOLS
? MORE EFFICIENT MAINTENANCE
? WRITING
MAINTAINING
? SCREENING
? READING
? SEARCHING
IMPROVED INTELLIGENCE
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SAFE is an interactive, user-oriented information handling system
that integrates analysts, intelligence support personnel, and managers
with current computer technology. People with different tasks,
academic backgrounds, and computer skills can learn to use the
system productively in minimal time.
The SAFE system provides diverse functional capabilities which assist
analysts in the total intelligence analysis cycle from information
receipt to production of finished intelligence. SAFE's functions are
designed to provide for each analyst:
a. Faster access to all-source intelligence resources
b. Better analytical tools
c. More efficient maintenance and access to every type of file
d. Relief from routine information housekeeping tasks.
In summary, SAFE will permit more time for analysis and improve
the intelligence production process.
SAFE meets several unique technical challenges. It accommodates
extremely large user populations whose needs are diverse. Unlike
many computer-based systems whose functions are sharply focused
on single, well-bounded tasks, SAFE allows users to easily suspend
the use of one capability, switch to another, and either return to the
original activity or move to something new. Many times, users will
combine separate functions in the same operation to meet their
individual needs.
Operating conditions will assure high reliability, data integrity, rapid
response and data security. Additionally, SAFE is designed to evolve
in response to changing modes of user operation and advancing
technology.
Users will employ the specially designed SAFE User Interface to
interact with the system. The User Interface will be readily adaptable
to each person's tasks, work habits and computer skills. This
interface provides a variety of methods for interaction with the
system including: commands, forms, menus, user-programmable
function keys and other features designed to support easy access to
this powerful system. Indeed, a majority of an analyst's basic tasks
can be performed using only a few key commands to perform such
basic functions as:
DISSEMINATING INFORMATION
Selecting incoming cables via user-maintained interest profiles for
review
READING AND DISPOSING OF INFORMATION
Reading, annotating and indexing incoming information
SEARCHING AND RETRIEVING INFORMATION
Searching, retrieving and displaying information
MAINTAINING INFORMATION
Creating and maintaining analysts' personal files, large system files
and data bases
COMPOSING AND WRITING REPORTS
Composing and writing intelligence reports, including accessing other
facilities for special analytical support
COORDINATING, REVIEWING AND EDITING
Coordinating, editing, reviewing and publishing intelligence reports
SAFE will be used by Washington-based intelligence analyst
organizations in CIA and DIA. Ultimately, SAFE will serve several
thousand analysts and be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. The DIA SAFE system will also support Defense Intelligence
analysts around the world who are members of the DoDIIS
community.
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Disseminating Information
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~~t~ng ,Information
SAFE will manage the internal dissemination of all incoming
electrical information to both CIA and DIA analysts. The system will
ensure that information reflecting each analysts' interests will be
delivered as required. SAFE will also provide for external
communication over the DoDIIS network and facilitate the
dissemination of DIA-unique hard copy information that has been
stored in SAFE files.
SAFE will automatically carry out several processes to provide rapid
internal distribution and ready utilization of information. Apart from
checking incoming messages for completeness, SAFE will translate
messages to its internal format and create subdivisions called zones
(e.g., classification, subject, text) for all documents. These zones are
useful when analysts want to display, search for, or print documents.
SAFE also will catalogue and create bibliographic system references
known as indexes for each document. Finally, SAFE will compare
each new document against auser-defined interest profile and deliver
it to the appropriate "electronic mail in-box" within minutes of its
arrival.
SAFE will facilitate the dissemination of internally generated
documents and abstracts of lengthy hardcopy documents as if they
were incoming electricals. Dissemination support beyond that just
described will also be provided by SAFE to meet specific needs of
the DIA. This support will entail access to SAFE for DoDIIS users
as well as control and dissemination of hardcopy and electrical
documents for DIA customers who do not have access to the system.
Each SAFE user will have complete control over interest profiles
reflecting their substantive interests and directing the system to
disseminate specific incoming information to them; similarly,
branches, task forces or any organizational units may define profiles
appropriate to their interests. In this way, each analyst will be
assured of receiving delivery to a personal "in-box" of all incoming
information to which they have access under the rules of
classification and compartmentalization.
Profiles will allow each analyst not only to specify subjects of
interest but also to determine the presence or absence of certain
words and their expected logical combination in intelligence
documents. They will also provide the means for analysts to identify
priority mail items with the knowledge that SAFE will automatically
provide an alert indicator when such mail arrives. In addition,
analysts may name specific terms to be highlighted when information
is ultimately displayed. Finally, profiles will allow analysts to
predetermine indexes that SAFE will automatically generate for
subjects of recurring interest.
Analysts will be able to alter or create new interest profiles to reflect
changing events or different analytical responsibilities quickly and
easily. Thus, any number of new subjects, alerts or highlight terms
may be added or deleted at the analysts' direction as situations
warrant. When changes are made, each analyst will be assured in
advance that a modified profile serves his interests precisely since
SAFE will allow analysts to both validate the new structure of the
profile and conduct a test to verify that dissemination will occur
exactly as desired.
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Reading and Disposing of Information
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Analysts will be able to screen information in SAFE in ways that aze
familiar and natural. Deciding on the disposition of electronic
information entails procedures analysts currently employ with
hardcopy documents. These include: annotating, highlighting,
indexing, filing, distributing and discazding information. Central to
performing these functions, and, indeed, at the crux of the SAFE
system, is the key notion of files.
Files are collections of information records that aze maintained to
support the activities of users. Analysts will come to view them
generically as follows:
? Document-related Files -collections of all cables, messages and
document abstracts and their associated index references
? Compose Files -the text of reports, memos and other material
written on-line by users.
? Ancillary Files -data which support user operations, such as
interest profiles, route lists, output formats, etc.
? Intelligence Data Files - DIA's structured data bases.
Some files will be created and maintained directly by users, some will
be created by SAFE and maintained by users, some will be
maintained by the system on behalf of users.
Mail Files (noted earlier as "electronic in-boxes") will be one of the
most basic and important files for analysts. SAFE will create a Mail
File specifically for each user. Analysts may choose to create other
Mail Files appropriate to specific tasks. Mail Files can also be
designed to serve multiple users, and thus can render support to
organizational units such as branches or crisis management teams.
Additionally, analysts may conveniently group messages within mail
files by content, such as country or subject matter.
The flexibility of SAFE's interface will permit users to elect to see
items of particular interest and to predetermine how reading material
will be presented. For example, one analyst might choose to read all
State Cables, followed by DIA IRs, etc., arranged by date, with all
header information but title suppressed; another analyst might view
complete cables in the order in which they arrived; a third analyst
might call up cables relating to a particular country and suppress all
except the titles, classification and message source.
SAFE will allow analysts to highlight terms and annotate file
contents with their own observations, just as they do on paper.
Annotations are equivalent to mazginal notes, while highlights equate
to underlining a word or group of words for later reference. Both
mechanisms aid analysts' subsequent review process by recording
original reactions to the information and flagging items of interest.
Utilizing basic and straightforward commands, analysts will be able
to file permanently (in as many files as they wish), hold temporarily
for later action, or discard items of information as they choose. They
will be able to create highly individualized indexes and annotations to
documents. They will be able to cross-reference these indexes by
using as many bibliographic or substantive terms as necessary, and to
retrieve them later by whatever criteria are appropriate to the
analytical issue at hand. Index Files offer a greatly enhanced vehicle
under SAFE to replace the reference files analysts now use, such as
"shoebox" files, document folders, 3 x 5 card files or notebooks.
Analysts will be able to select for viewing all files to which they have
access. That is, SAFE users can designate others to share
information according to agreed access privileges, the most basic of
which is termed "read only". Privacy is assured as SAFE will not
allow anyone to access any file without the owner's explicit
authorization.
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Searching and Retrieving Information
DODIIS
NETWORK
SEARCH
QUERIES
o' o0
., o
MULTI-FILE SEARCH
o DOCUMENT SEARCH
~ GEOGRAPHIC SEARCH
SAFE
SEARCH
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One of SAFE's most powerful features is the ability to search and
retrieve information with pinpoint accuracy. SAFE will provide easier
access to information held by both specialists and generalists and
assure analysts of the ability to conduct a more precise and complete
review of all pertinent material.
Analysts will be able to search for information from all files to
which they have access. They will be able to perform searches on
material in one or multiple files, on documents in either the entire
document collection or any chosen subset, or in private or centralized
indexes. SAFE's search capabilities will be a main means of access to
the information contained in the structured Intelligence Data Files
(IDF) which will include the currently operational DIAOLS files.
All searches on SAFE, from the most straightforward mail file
search through the most complicated structured data base inquiry,
will employ the same query language. This query language provides
great flexibility. Analysts may specify the most simple or complex
search criteria using words, phrases, combinations of words and
phrases, or coded data and other index terms. Importantly, they will
be able to do follow-up searches to refine results of earlier searches
by employing new terms or phrases against the earlier search results.
For example, a search for T-80 tanks in Yugoslavia that yielded
excessive results could be refined to a search for T-80 tanks in a
certain unit or area. Analysts will also be able to specify constraints
by time, classification and source, and to use results of previous
searches to add new constraints to future searches.
DIA and DoDIIS analysts will be able to search the IDFs using
specially provided geographic and linked file search capabilities as
well as those previously mentioned. Geographic search enables
analysts to focus on specific geographic areas of concern within the
data base, while linked file search provides the ability to access
related data from two or more files with one search request. Analysts
will be able to search for information from the entire IDF data base,
multiple files, or designated file portions.
SAFE provides analysts with the means for retrieving information
obtained from all searches, whether simple or complex. For each
successful search the sysem will automatically create a specific file
known as a Hit File. By simply displaying this file, analysts gain
immediate access to the results of their searches. As discussed earlier,
analysts will have complete choice of when and how the material will
be displayed.
Analysts will be able to screen search results in a number of ways.
They can save Hit Files for future work, delete entries in the Hit
File, extract pertinent information to be put in an existing file, or
create a new file to contain only selected material from the search.
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Maintaining Information
DODIIS
NETWORK
TRANSACTION FILE ' ~ `. ~
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~~ _ P_. ~ ~ ~ ~m m
MAINTENANCE
TRANSACTIONS
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REVIEW MODIFY
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Maintaining Information
Maintaining data in SAFE entails straightforward procedures that
allow analysts to add new information, modify or update existing
information, and either delete or retain information in SAFE files.
Standard file operations will allow analysts to manage all files under
their maintenance control and to make such refinements in structure
or content as they deem appropriate. These file operations are
particularly critical for personnel whose jobs entail maintenance of
the central indexes and the Intelligence Data Files (IDF).
The procedures for carrying out data maintenance are the same
whether analysts are working with personal files or large structured
data bases. Analysts will be able to use the SAFE command
language, or a number of specially provided aids, to carry out these
procedures on data that is either displayed at the workstation screen
or on data that is not displayed. This latter feature enables analysts
to make rapid alterations to filed material without the need to
display it.
Displayed data may be modified or updated immediately at the
workstation screen. Nondisplayed data, whether from one file or
multiple files, may be maintained immediately or at a specified time
in the future at the user's option. SAFE will also support standard
data maintenance capabilities including mass and conditional
changes, comprehensive data validation, and automatic data
generation.
In the case of DIA analysts dealing with structured data bases, the
ability to perform future maintenance will be particularly
advantageous. Analysts can review and coordinate changes with DIA
internal or external sources prior to their becoming permanent and
execute the coordinated maintenance transactions later. For analysts
dealing with IDFs, SAFE provides interactive and batch maintenance
capabilities. These capabilities are available to both internal and
external SAFE users on the DoDIIS communications network.
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Composing and Writing Reports
COMPOSING
AND EDITING
~. ... .~. .~ .~ r.. ... .~. .....
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posing and Writing Reports
All of SAFE's functional capabilities aze aimed at providing support
to analysts engaged in the eventual production of finished
intelligence. SAFE also will be available to serve as an adjunct to
analysts' intuition, provide access to analytical methodologies, and
facilitate the actual writing of finished intelligence.
The possibilities for analysts' creative use of SAFE as an aide to
intuition will be limitless. As an example, SAFE could be used by
analysts to arrange incoming data in such ways that patterns might
emerge or be broken, or might provide the stimulus needed for
making an intuitive analytical judgement.
SAFE also will foster the use of analytical resources and techniques
in concert with SAFE capabilities. Analysts will be able to query
external data bases. They will be able to use programming and
computational facilities either in SAFE or in other systems that
provide statistical analysis, modeling and simulation techniques.
Through the DoDIIS network, DIA analysts will have access to data
bases maintained at AIRES, SOLIS and NMIC and be able to
engage in teleconferencing with colleagues at other nodes on the
network. Additionally, to assist analysts in the production of
recurring finished intelligence products, SAFE will provide a report
writer capability that automatically obtains desired data from the
Intelligence Data Files and produces a requested intelligence product.
Actual composition of reports will be done at the SAFE workstation
with analysts having a choice of final type, formats and the full
range of editing capabilities. Text will be entered using the standard
typewriter keyboard at the SAFE workstation as well as a number of
specially designated keys known as direct action keys. These keys
allow analysts to scroll or page through text; change, insert or delete
text; and to move or copy text from one section of a report to
another. Analysts will be able to make notes or refer to source
documents by simultaneously displaying the report and wanted notes
or source materials on the workstation screen. As in the present
paper environment, analysts using SAFE will be able to interrupt
writing for any reason, save text and be assured that they can
retrieve it at will when they are ready to resume work. Finally,
analysts will be able to print chosen parts, entire drafts or final
copies of their written work on printers that are located in their
offices or at designated areas.
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Coordinating, Reviewing and Editing
DODIIS
IIi~PROVEG
IfVTELLIGENCE
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SAFE will greatly assist the process of obtaining timely review and
coordination from all parties interested in the analysts' intelligence
products. For their convenience, analysts will be able to create
"electronic buck slips" that will automatically deliver text and data
to colleagues, branches or offices. The delivery sequence of these
routing lists will be serial (one at a time) or parallel (simultaneous) at
the analysts' choice. Each recipient will be able to make appropriate
review or editorial comments for ultimate consideration by the
originator.
Analysts will be able to exercise the editing or word processing
functions available in SAFE. As necessary, analysts, clerks or
professional editors may utilize SAFE's word processing features to
accomplish "cut and paste" operations, insertion or deletion of text,
justification of pazagraphs or any of the other available word
processing functions.
Approved versions of completed reports can be printed in high
quality hazd copies for distribution while the electrical version will be
inserted in the queue of incoming electrical data. Thus, recently
published intelligence will be disseminated to users, who will then be
able to exercise all of SAFE's functions on the new product.
While the emphasis of SAFE is focused on the analyst as the primary
user, the capabilities of the system will be available to the complete
spectrum of possible users. Managers will use the system in the
coordination & approval process. Editors will have the complete
array of text editing and formatting capabilities. Intelligence
assistants will be able to perform searches and maintain files.
Secretaries will use the system to create and distribute
memorandums, organizational notices and the like. The capabilities
are there for the use of any authorized person.
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User Assistance Features
D
U 0
NOVICE SKILLED
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~~c~c~ Q~~o~~~~~c~ ~c~~~~~c~~
SAFE provides many forms of assistance to facilitate both using the
system and learning more about it. These are designed for several
purposes: meeting the challenge of accommodating a user population
with diverse computer system experience, serving analysts' individual
work needs and habits, and providing a means for all users to
expand knowledge about SAFE at their own pace. Some of the key
user aids are discussed below.
Should aid be needed during a SAFE interactive session to
understand how to use a system function, a user may request HELP.
HELP provides explanatory information and assistance in using the
system with minimal disruption. Its hierarchical structure presents a
range of assistance from the most basic general information for
novices to more in-depth specific information for those with greater
experience. HELP is accessible by merely pressing a key, or by
typing the HELP command with appropriate modifiers. The HELP
function provides a menu of services for selection at the users'
option.
Other assistance is available that makes working with the system
much simpler. SAFE encourages analysts to use Command
Procedures. These are a shorthand means of providing frequently
given, complex, or special instructions to the system. Once a
Command Procedure is established, the analyst knows that upon
invocation of the Command Procedure SAFE will carry out the
designated sequence of commands to accomplish the task. Command
Procedures will perform any task a user could validly do on SAFE,
can be executed at the users' option automatically, and can be stored
in files for future use and reference.
SAFE's ability to do multiple simultaneous activities on behalf of
analysts further facilitates their use of the system. Analysts may
arrange for an in-depth search to be done by SAFE while they are
conducting another activity at the workstation. When SAFE
completes the task it will alert them with a message which, because
of SAFE's ability to handle multiple activities, will not interfere with
ongoing work. Furthermore, analysts may configure their
workstation screens to accommodate multiple activities among which
they can switch back and forth as the need arises.
SAFE provides a number of additional services. Forms will be
supplied by the system or may be created by analysts to control how
the system will receive and display data. SAFE automatically creates
a record, called a Command History, of every activity in an
interactive session. This history provides a personal log of all
activities, messages, and errors for analysts to retain as a learning
tool, employ as a recall device to determine if certain work was
initiated, or discard if there is no need for its retention. SAFE also
provides a variety of status data containing useful information,
including: which analysts are on the system, the number of items in
particular files, the last time a file or profile was modified, and a
host of other details that will make using SAFE easy and
comfortable.
Approved For Release 2008/06/11 :CIA-RDP85B01152R001001310001-3
 Approved For Release 2008/06/11 :CIA-RDP85B01152R001001310001-3
~a~~~r~~
The SAFE system, with its diverse functional capabilities and
automated support tools, is the first step in an evolutionary system
that will provide richer and greater support to analysts over the next
decades. SAFE will serve as 'the experience and learning base for the
evaluation and addition of new technologies and methodologies as
they become available. Thus, an extendible and flexible SAFE will
meet changing work patterns and demands as analysts produce more
timely and comprehensive finished intelligence in support of U.S.
national security policy.
Consolidated SAFE, Proiect Offire
Project Director ?~ 25X1
A~p ved For Release 200 06/1- CIA-RDP85B0a1152R00 0013 0001-3~