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(U) Target Templating - The Way Ahead
FROM: SIGINT Development - Strategy and Governance (SSG)
Unknown
Run Date: 11/24/2004
(C) What does it mean to be a SIGINT Hunter? How can we efficiently use multiple analytic and
signal exploitation techniques to create a coherent picture of target activity? How can we
systematically determine our knowledge gaps? How can a virtual team of S1, S2, S3, NSOC and
Cryptologic Partners keep the SIGINT system agile by jointly developing a Target Template that
automatically updates itself with the latest information and activity of a target? These are just
some of the questions SIGINT Development Strategy and Governance (SSG) is addressing in its
Target Templating Implementation Strategy .
(S//SI) The SIGINT Enterprise Strategy, FY-03-08 (SID Placement), Objective 2.2, directs the
SIGINT system to "isolate critical intelligence within the target's information space by applying
the target templating process" and to "work collaboratively, assemble a coherent target
template (or thread) that spans across all forms of communication, all data collected, all forensic
analysis of data, and all previous analysis of the target". Since such a comprehensive set of data
could only be produced using a variety of analytic techniques, Templating should not be seen as
an additional analytic technique, but a unifying framework for analysis and analytic
techniques .
(S//SI) For this reason, Target Templating Leads within SSG work with the Social Network
Analysis Workcenter to merge social network analysis, communications event analysis and other
analytic techniques into the Templating process. These ongoing relationships help SSG to
understand how Templating is perceived, what works and doesn't work in applying the
Templating methodology and how to make it easier to merge analytic approaches, techniques
and tools in order to make Templating more effective as a unifying framework for SIGINT
Development. This framework is being realized by simultaneously addressing four distinct
courses of action or vectors of the Templating Implementation Strategy.
(S//SI) The first vector is Enabling Technology . One part of this vector will address how to
integrate information from the KSP (Knowledge System Prototype) to visualize and
automatically update a Target Template. A second part of this vector will provide an interim
Target Templating tool for capturing and modeling Target Templates.
(U) The second vector in the Target Templating Implementation Strategy is Skill Development
. In this vector, SSG is working with the National Cryptologic School, NETA 3001, the SID
Analyst Boot Camp and the SIGDEV Learning Portal to produce videos, briefings and course
materials that contain a consistent message of what Target Templating is and how to effectively
use it.
(S) The third vector of the Implementation Strategy is Product Line/IMT Partnerships . In
this vector, SSG is developing Target Templating POCs within Product Lines and is consulting
with analysts in SSIO, OPAC, ICN*, the Global Network Development Activity (GNDA), and other
groups to apply Templating to specific Information Needs and target problems. SSG works with
Issue Management Teams (IMTs) to apply the Target Templating process, which complements
and supports the SID Operating Principles . For example, SSG and the Combating Proliferation
IMT have worked together on numerous activities to bring Templating into the IMT's daily focus.
(U) The fourth vector of the Implementation Strategy is Process Integration . SSG recognizes
that Templating, as an end-to-end SIGINT process, involves many organizations and individuals.
SSG Target Templating Leads work with a variety of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), working
groups and organizations to understand the goals of these groups and how Templating can
contribute.
(U) In the next article, we will focus in on what is happening in the Enabling Technology vector
to bring tools to Templating. For more information on the strategy, please contact
(
,
), Technical Leader, Operations Orchestration Portfolio in SSG. For questions
on using CmapTools or Templating consultations for product lines or IMTs, please contact
,
) or
,
).
*(U) Notes:
SSIO = SIGINT Support to Information Operations
OPAC = Office of Proliferation and Arms Control
ICN = International Crime and Narcotics
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108