OPEN SOURCE EXPLOITATION PROGRAM: FINAL REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90G01359R000300030039-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2011
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: June 19, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

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Central Intelligence Agency
Office of the Deputy Director for Intelligence
NOTE TO: 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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Does this add P~Qe?
MEMORANDUM FOR: DDCI
DCI
collector.
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DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
HUMINT Committee
HC 86-155
6 June 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH:
Deputy Director, Intelligence Community Staff
Chairman, HUMINT Committee
SUBJECT: Open Source Exploitation Program: Final Report
REFERENCE: HC 85-055, dtd 11 Mar 86, same subj
1. Attached for your information is the final report on the Open Source
Exploitation Program. This report, endorsed by our Executive Steering Group,
constitutes a blueprint for Community action in this field and a basic
reference source. Appropriate supportive language is contained in your
1988-92 draft NFIP guidance, specifically to endorse the Conan rmat4--
Retrieval System (CIRS) 25X1
2. The program reflects a process of thorough and purposeful cooperation
among line managers responsible for open source exploitation. Users of open
source information throughout the Community will be involved in the
implementing phase already begun under the Information Handling Committee's
direction, with continuing ESG policy oversight.
3. I will keep you informed as implementing actions proceed.
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25 JUN 1886
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Intelligence
FROM:
SUBJECT:
REFERENCE:
Associate Deputy Director for Intelligence
Comments on the Recommendations of the Open
Source Action Group
Your note to D/OIR dtd 19 Jun 86,
$ub: Open Source Exploitation.
Prd'gram: 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. Durin the course of the
meetings, it was apparent that the Chairman
and Executive Secretary, respective y, had their own agenda, which 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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SECRET
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SECRET
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
Information Exchange (the concept that engulfs the long-term recommendations)
within the OSAG was uneven at best; the strongest proponents were Davis and
Marling, 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/0IR/C/MPD)
(25 June 1986)
Distribution:
Original - Addressee
1 - ADDI
1 - DDI Registry
2 - OD/OIR
2 - C/MPD/OIR -
crrfCT
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27 JUN 1986
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM: Richard J. Kerr
Deputy Director for Intelligence
SUBJECT: Comments on Recommendations of the
Open Source Action Group
REFERENCE: Memo for DDCI fm DCI, dtd 17 Jun 86,
Sub: Open Source Exploitation Program:
Final Report (ER 86-2733)
1. Pepresentatives 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
the 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 projects cited are already underway, but some might need additional
resources to be completed.
The cost for this would total $5.4
million for FY 1987-91. Other near-term recommendations revolve around low
cost, but nevertheless valuable, efforts such as sharing technology
applications and utilizing already existing forums in which to bring
providers and users of open source material together to discuss issues and
concerns.
3. It is in the area of long-term recommendations that we have the
greatest concern. The extensively detailed plan for an Open Source
Information Exchange (OSIE), while appealing in concept, is neither
workable nor cost effective. In fact, support for this recommendation
SECRET
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SECRET
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 ava4labla 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.
4. The cost drivers of the OSIE plan that are cited in the OSAG report
are the major enhancements contemplated by FBIS and FTD. FBIS has
expressed a willingness to develop an unclassified data base of FBIS
products that would reside outside of the Agency's classified computer
environment. The Agency and DIA
already have or will have access to these products through SAFE. FBIS is
also willing to make its Automated Consolidated Translation Survey (ACTS)
accessible to IC organization Once again, the
Agency would have nothing to gain because we already have access to this
system. The third effort is the proposal to enhance the FTD CIRC system to
We believe that this recommendation is misdirected.
Expanding coveracie to the Free World would be of value only if certain
priority areas were stressed. To include the Third World
is useless because no meaning ul S&T literature comes from that area.
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 programs.
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SE'-PL I
SUBJECT: Comments on Recommendations of the
Open Source Action Group
DI /OIR/C/MPD/
25 June 1986)
Distribution:
Original - Addressee
1 - DDCI
1 - Executive Registry
1 - DDI
1 - DDI Registry
2 - OD/OIR
2 - C/MPD/OIR
cVrPPT
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