NOIWON MODERNIZATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00776R000500040019-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 29, 2012
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: March 31, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/11/29: CIA-RDP91g00776R000500040019-3
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NATIONALSECURTYCOUNCL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
CONFIDENTIAL
March 31, 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR CHARLES E. ALLEN
National Intelligence Officer for Warning
SUBJECT: NOIWON Modernization (C)
The White House Situation Support Staff believes it is essential
to upgrade NOIWON capability. Although the current NOIWON is
used extensively, it suffers some drawbacks in terms of voice
quality and reliability. In addition, since the system is
entirely manual, it is cumbersome to use and does not readily
permit expansion to other conferees. (C)
Our staff believes that most of the requirements identified in
the 1983 study are still valid. In terms of priority, we
believe these requirements are:
a. Reliability: The system must be able to conference
all participants on the first attempt. Several times
in the recent past, for example, the secure operator
was required to terminate a NOIWON conference before
any information was exchanged due to inability to
bring one or more conferees into the net.
b. Timeliness: The current time-lag between the decision
to initiate a conference and full participation is
generally adequate, even though the system is entirely
manual. Using the latest technology (e.g., automatic
switching telephones) should result in an improvement
in this timeliness.
c. Voice Quality: All participants must be able to
communicate in a "five by five" mode in terms of
readability and strength. Many times readability is
acceptable, but signal strength is so low that con-
ferees have difficulty hearing a speaker.
d. Expandability: We believe the current ten drops
should be maintained as the "core" of the NOIWON, but
that the system should have a capability for automatic
expansion to other specifically-designated operations
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centers in the Washington DC area. This would allow a
conference originator to rapidly include other partici-
pants (e.g., FAA for hijackings, DOE for nuclear
incidents, etc.) should the need arise. This ex-
pandable capability is especially important in light of
the newly-established National System for Emergency
Coordination, which outlines procedures for managing
domestic emergencies, many of which have national-
security impact.
e. Display indicator: All instruments should be equipped
with a display panel which indicates when a conferee
is off-hook. Standard operating procedure should
dictate that an off-hook indicator means that a
conference participant is in the net and ready to
copy. This will obviate the requirement to perform a
verbal, and often time-consuming, communications check
at the start of every conference.
f. Push-to-talk Handsets: These are absolutely essential
for all instruments tied into the NOIWON. In many
cases, the amount of background noise and conversations
during NOIWONs makes it difficult to conduct an
effective conference. Using push-to-talk handsets
would eliminate much of this problem and improve the
overall quality of the conference.
g. Recording capability: While this capability is not
essential, we believe it would be useful to design the
system to allow recording in the event participants so
desired. (C)
The following comments concerning other aspects of the NOIWON
are provided for your consideration:
a. Additional modes: The WHSSS does not believe that any
modes -- other than voice -- are necessary for the
NOIWON. If conferees require exchange of video data,
the Secure Video Teleconferencing System (SVTS)
provides this capability, albeit at a slower reaction
time than the NOIWON. Similarly, a timely and reliable
secure facsimile is available using the WASHFAX system.
b. Speaker phones: The WHSSS does not recommend that any
instruments be equipped with speaker phones, given the
problems that already exist with background noise. If
some subscribers desire a speaker phone capability,
the speaker phone should be used only to monitor the
NOIWON, with a push-to-talk handset used as the
transmitter (i.e., no open microphones). (C)
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In summary, we believe the strength and utility of the NOIWON
resides in its overall reliability, simplicity, and timeliness;
these are the qualities that must be emphasized in any future
system. Using programmable digital secure switches, as outlined
in your 25 March 88 memorandum, should enhance the latter two
qualities. Any system procured, however, must be thoroughly
tested to ensure it is at least as reliable as the current
system. (C)
Regardless of what specific system is procured, two elements
must be thoroughly considered. First, a strict set of operating
guidelines must be promulgated. Absent such guidelines, a
NOIWON can rapidly degenerate into confusion, which eliminates
any benefit derived from the system. Second, consideration must
be given to a dedicated maintenance system, where all subscribers
can obtain responsive technical assistance in the event of
problems. (C)
Michael B. Donley
Deputy Executive SecLletary
for Situation Suppofrt
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