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(U//FOUO) More on SCOR
FROM: MG Richard Quirk, USA
Signals Intelligence Director
Run Date: 11/29/2004
(U//FOUO) Last week, I told you about our need to create the environment to foster and enable
a net-centric SIGINT System for the United States that is based on Common Operating Picture
(COP) and a collaborative, global decision-making process. In that article, I focused on the
investments to infrastructure that are needed to facilitate that change. Building such an
environment will require more than infrastructure - it will also need a new model of governance.
(U//FOUO) Prior to the SCOR Conference, the SID Leadership had identified the DIRNSA's 17
major responsibilities for the SIGINT leadership . In addition, we had determined that SID is
primarily responsible to the DIRNSA for the first 4 responsibilities (we have an important role in
the execution of the other 13, but many of these are led by NSA corporate-level partners). We
had already developed and implemented processes for the first 3 responsibilities, which can be
grouped under the major governing task called "Produce SIGINT for the Nation". These three
responsibilities drive Responsibility #4, which we have labeled "Direct and Operate the US
SIGINT System." Responsibility #4, in turn, drives or influences all of the other 13
Responsibilities. The goal of the SCOR Conference was to have a workshop with the leaders from
across the U.S. SIGINT System that would begin developing and documenting processes for
Responsibility #4.
(U//FOUO) The discussions over the three days were open, frank, enlightening and encouraging.
We are far enough along in our thinking to publish the SID Management Directive Number 411
dealing with responsibilities at the strategic level for governance of the U.S. SIGINT System. In
addition, within the next several weeks, I will draft a more detailed plan for strategic governance
of Responsibility #4. These documents are critical, because they will drive the development of
similar processes and governance mechanisms in all elements of the U.S SIGINT System.
(U//FOUO) Meanwhile, we will continue to put into place levers that will allow us to execute our
governance responsibilities and to develop a systematic, structured way of dealing with all of the
areas for which SID is responsible. We will also continue to encourage the rest of the corporation
to partner with us, so that we can fulfill the DIRNSA's vision, becoming a single, global, selfaware, self-synchronzing SIGINT System the rest of the corporation to partner with us to
synchronize and align their processes and governance mechanisms for their governance
responsibilities.
(U//FOUO) As you can see, there is much work to be done. All of the implementing processes
for CRD, A&P, and DA will have to be developed, eventually trickling down into local processes.
However, we've made a lot of progress already, and we know what we must do to get to our
desired destination. We are determined to create a seamless, global system that produces the
best SIGINT possible, in the most efficient way. Step by step, we'll make this a reality!
"(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