COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OPEN SOURCE ACTION GROUP

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90G01359R000300030008-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2011
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: June 27, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FI20h1: Richard J . Kerr
Deputy Director for Intelligence
SUBJECT: Comments on Recommendations of the
Open Source Action Group
REFERENCE: Memo for DDCI fm DC I, dtd 17 Jun 86,
Sub: Open Source Exploitation Program:
Final Report (ER 86-2733)
1. Representatives from several offices within the Directorate of
Intelligence and the Directorate of Science and Technology participated in
the meetings of the Open Source Action Group (OSAG) and its various
subcommittees. The OSAG was tasked with outlining ways to improve the
collection and exploitation of open source material, particularly in the
S&T area but also in the political, economic, and sociological fields. Two
of the benefits derived from this effort are the dialogue that has been
initiated among providers and users of open source materials, and the final
report which constitutes the first detailed compilation of the workings of
the open source community. However, given the level of effort devoted to
~.he OSAG--the process started in early 1985--the results should have been
more beneficial and realistic.
2. In our view the production of intelligence can be best served by
focusing on the near-term recommendations in the OSAG report. Several of
the proiects cited are alread underwa but some might need additional
resources to be completed.
3. It is in the area of long-term recommendations that we have the
u~eatest concern. The extensively detailed plan for an Open Source
Information Exchange (OSIE), while appealing in concept, is neither
~.:~arkable nor cost effective. In fact, support for this recommendation
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SUBJECT: Comments on Recommendations of the
Open Source Action Group
within the OSAG was uneven at best. The concept involves electronically
linking all open sources users, who would share their data bases with all
other users--those who have not already automated their data bases -would
have to first take that step--and offer them a series of services, such as
an electronic directory, an automated online library, an electronic mail
system, an electronic gateway to external data bases, and a collection of
services to analysts and managers to help them more effectively exploit
open source data. No total cost estimate is provided, and each individual
agency would be expected to bear the cost for automating its services and
making its data available to all users. In addition to resources, security
would be a significant issue. A key to the success of this plan is the
willingness of each agency to cooperate. Traditionally, the onus has
fallen on the three major services of common concern (FBIS, OIR and FTD) to
provide services, and we are not optimistic that OSIE would change this.
5. Our bottom line is that it would be much more cost effective to
build on the decentralized cooperative effort that we have in existing
mechanisms. Creating an OSIE would require much bureaucratic and
administrative overhead, require substantial resources, and would not
guarantee us much more than we already have. Finally, we see no need to
perpetuate the OSAG or the Executive Steering Group when standing
committees, such as the Information Handling Committee, already exist to
coordinate concerns and monitor program
'W Richard J. Kerr
CCf nCT
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SUBJECT: Comments on Recommendations of the
Open Source Action Group
DI /OIR/C/MPD/~
Distribution:
Orivinal - Addressee
V 1 - D DC I
1 - Executive Registry
1 -DDI
1 - DDI Registry
2 - OD/OIR
2 - C/MPD/OIR
(25 June 1?86)
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MEP~IORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Intelligence
Associate Deputy Director for Intelligence
F P.OM
SUBJECT:
Di rector~of Information Resources
Comments on the Recommendations of the Open
Source Action Group
REFERENCE: Your note to D/OIR dtd 19 Jun 86,
dub: Open Source Exploitation .
Program: Final Report
1. We participated in all of the meetings of the Open Source Action Group
(OSAG), primarily because of the Community-wide responsibilities carried out
by our Publications Procurement Branch (PPB)--formerly Acquisitions Branch.
We found the year-long endeavor to be of limited value from the standpoint of
support for intelligence production in this Directorate. In fact, we adopted
for many sessions a damage-limiting approach because other agencies attempted
to use the OSAG as a means to have CIA/OCR perform functions for which they
have allocated few resources over the years. In contrast, FBIS and ORD were
more positive about the OSAG effort primarily because they were looking for
resources to meet their communit res onsibilities. During the course of the
meetings, it was apparent that the Chairman
and Executive Secretary, respectively, had their own agen a, w is drove many
of the final requirements.
2. As you are aware, DCID 2/5 requires us to coordinate--no more, no
less--the procurement of open source material for members of the Community who
choose to participate in the Foreign Publications Procurement Program, which
is managed by PPB, as INR/P. It became apparent at several OSAG meetings,
however, that some members of the Community would have us venture farther from
our mission by requiring us either to allow open source users access to our
internal data base, which currently lists all the books acquired by Agency
analysts, along with the analysts' names, or to provide a library or locator
service by brokering requests from non-Agency users who would like to "borrow"
books from Agency analysts. We find the first proposal objectionable from a
security standpoint (besides, we are already providing essentially the same
information through published booklists), and the second is unacceptable
because of the resource implications. Rather, other agencies ought to enhance
the support they provide their own people instead of looking to us to do more.
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SUBJECT: Comments on the Recommendations of the
Open Source Action Group
3. The production of intelligence can be best served by focusing on the
near-term recommendations in the OSAG report. On the other hand, we do not
think much of the long-term recommendations. They are by and large
pie-in-the-sky; security issues, resource limitations, and bureaucratic
realities argue against them. In fact, support for the Open Source
Tnformation Exchange (the concept that engulfs the long-term recommendations)
within the OSAG was uneven at best; the strongest proponents were
~ contrary to what the final report appears to imply.
4. Attached is a draft memorandum for you to forward to the DCI and
DDCI. We discussed the OSAG report with OSWR.
Attachment
As Stated
DI/OIR/C/MPD~
Distribution:
Original - Addressee
1 - ADDI
1 - DDI Registry
2 - OD/OIR
2 - C/MPD/OIR
(25 June 1986)
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Central Intelligence Agency
Office of the Deputy Director for Intelligence
NOTE T0: D/OIR
SUBJECT: Open Source Exploitation Program:
Final Report
Give me your candid evaluation of this
report as well as any suggestions you might
have for either following up on the
recommendations or actions that we should
suggest to the DCI. I would like this ASAP.
Richard J. Kerr
DDI
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