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(S//SI) DNI Collection: Keeping the Dictionaries from Filling Up
FROM: Janice Strauss, Deputy Chief, Targeting and Mission Management
(S3C3)
and SIGINT Communications
Run Date: 03/29/2006
(S//SI) There are endless volumes of signals traffic out there in the world, but only a small
percentage of it is actually useful for SIGINT purposes. One way we filter out the "good stuff" is
through the use of dictionaries (compiled by SIGINT analysts) that control what is pulled in at
field collection sites. These dictionaries are made up of selectors, such as promising phone
numbers or key terms, for example. What happens, however, when these dictionaries run out of
space? The CSRC Office of Targeting and Mission Management (TMM) recently tackled this very
problem.
(U) The "No Vacancy" Sign Was Lit
(S//SI) It is TMM's job to look at the system end-to-end to make sure that data gets to its
intended customers in a timely manner. To get an idea of the volume involved, about 16,000
DNI (Digital Network Intelligence) selectors are updated on a typical day, with a total capacity
standing at about 200,000 selectors. Recently, site DNI dictionaries reached the 90-98% of
capacity range, resulting in a very limited capability to task new selectors without first deleting
existing ones.
(U) A Short-Term Solution
(S//SI) As part of a near-term solution to this problem, TMM provided other NSA staff and the
Product Lines with "no hit" reports that identified selectors that, for over three months, had not
selected traffic for delivery to follow-on processors and subsequent analysis and reporting. After
much negotiation, TMM was empowered by S2 Staff to advise the Product Lines that detasking of
these unproductive selectors would commence by a given date to prevent saturation of the field
dictionaries.
(U) ...But What About the Longer Term?
(S//SI) Recognizing this was a stop-gap solution, TMM also collaborated with SCS (the Special
Collection Service) and other sites to free up space to create a Counterterrorism dictionary that
was initially populated with 50,000 selectors (25% of available capacity). This resulted in the
detasking of those same selectors in other dictionaries, thereby bringing capacities down to
about 70%.
(S//SI) Work continues on a long-term solution to increase site dictionary capacities from
200,000 to 500,000 selectors. TMM is currently collaborating with the Information Technology
Directorate and other organizations to roll out a plan that requires hardware and software
upgrades at all collection sites to ensure compatibility and manageability of DNI selector tasking.
(U//FOUO) If you have questions about this issue, please contact
,
"(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