DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
(U) Who Is Responsible for Information Needs?
FROM:
Information Needs Division (S111)
Run Date: 12/14/2004
(U//FOUO) Many of you have probably heard of Information Needs, commonly referred to as
INs. You may have wondered, "Who is responsible for these INs?" The answer is, S111 Customer
Service Managers, also known as CSMs.
(U//FOUO) The CSMs in S111 are a very diverse group of people comprised of collection
managers, intelligence analysts, data flow managers, signals analysts and linguists. CSMs are
responsible for the end-to-end health of the customer's INs. Some CSMs focus on and respond
to INs in a particular region of the world such as Southeast Asia or Middle East/North Africa.
Other CSMs specialize on a particular topic such as Information Operations or Counterterrorism
INs. The CSMs work closely with counterparts in SID and IAD, and take the appropriate action
on the customers' INs to provide the best support possible.
(U//FOUO) CSMs play a critical role in the Information Needs process, as they interact with the
external customers and members from the SIGINT Requirements Validation and Evaluation
Subcommittee (SIRVES) to understand and cultivate their INs. CSMs often coordinate with
members of SIRVES to rework a duplicative IN by identifying other INs that are similar and
suggesting a course of action to take. They collaborate with SIRVES when it comes to
negotiating with a customer regarding a due date for a LOE or Research IN response that cannot
be met or needs to be extended.
(U//FOUO) CSMs also partner with Senior Executive Account Managers (SEAMs) and Account
Managers (AMs) to ensure a healthy, successful relationship with the customers in regards to
their current and future requirements for INs. Within NSA, CSMs collaborate with personnel from
the SID Production Lines and Data Acquisition on the IN and the crafting of the Level of Effort
(LOE) Statement.
(U//FOUO) LOEs are a very important part of the Information Needs process. The LOE is the
vehicle used by the Unified Cryptologic System (UCS) to respond to INs. The LOE is a
characterization of how the SIGINT system can respond to an intelligence need given current
priorities, resource constraints, and legitimate capabilities. The LOE seeks to provide customers
with a realistic assessment of the SIGINT system's ability to satisfy an IN from a production and
dissemination perspective. Sometimes the LOE contains aspects of access and collection, too.
LOEs are fluid documents and are routinely updated.
(U//FOUO) The S111 CSMs are the stewards of the INs and LOEs, managing over 3,200 active
INs in the National SIGINT Requirements Process, making each day as a Customer Service
Manager busy, diverse, and challenging. The CSM role allows one to glean an overview of the
entire SIGINT System's capabilities and resources, be exposed to all collection disciplines, and
interact with analysts, collection managers, and customers from the entire Intelligence
Community.
(U//FOUO) Being a CSM is rewarding, knowing that you have contributed to the War on Global
Terrorism (GWOT) and supported the war fighter through the National SIGINT Requirements
Process. If you would like to learn more about the Information Needs Process, please contact
S111 at
secure or drop us a line at our email alias "DL NSRPTEAM".
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108