NET-CENTRIC DIPLOMACY TRIP REPORT, CAIRO, APRIL

UNCLAS CAIRO 003179

SIPDIS

FOR RM/IRP DAVID MCKEE AND EDIPLOMACY GERALD GALLUCCI FROM
HARRY PONTING, TEAM LEAD, AND RAMKI UPPULURI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AINF OTRA EG NCD
SUBJECT: NET-CENTRIC DIPLOMACY TRIP REPORT, CAIRO, APRIL
10-11


1. This cable was drafted by the Net-Centric Diplomacy (NCD)
team from the Department and CITI that visited post from
April 10-11 to install the NCD pilot system for publishing
biographic files and telegraphic reports to the SIPRNet. The
NCD application was successfully installed on a ClassNet
workstation and the local contractor was fully trained in its
use.

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Post Support
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2. Outstanding support was provided by Embassy Cairo.
Control Officer Michael Kidwell (ESTH officer in the combined
Economic and Political section) and OMS Felicia Lynch did a
wonderful job of pre-briefing mission elements and arranging
meetings. IPC staff Armando Asencio provided excellent
support in the pre-visit days to make sure the technical
infrastructure was in place ahead of the visit. Staff members
at the post were very interested in providing content to the
classified home pages using the NCD utilities, and asked a
lot of questions on how this project would help them enhance
the content on the home pages. Several OMSs and EFMs were
available for training, and in the time the team was at Post,
a large number of cables were posted to the servers. The
spectacular job done by Cairo with regards to pre-visit
preparation and participation in training will be hard to top
and will be our benchmark for other posts we will visit.
Involvement by all levels of personnel at post shows a very
positive commitment to the effort. It is interesting to note
that a total of five OMSs and EFMs provide support as content
managers for the site.

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Briefings and Training
--------------


3. The goals of the team were discussed with the A/DCM and
control officer in a separate meeting prior to kicking off
the project. The NCD team gave formal overview briefings to
Economic and Political section (ECPO) officers and the A/DCM.


4. Hands-on NCD training was provided for Patricia Fitzhugh
(CITI local contract hire),Suzanne Swanson, Twila Ray,
Felicia Lynch, and Brooke Adams. For the time being,
BioCapture will be handled exclusively by Ms. Fitzhugh, and
CableCapture will be provided on the desks of all OMSs and
EFMs involved in content management.

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Hardware/Software
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5. JRE was pre-installed on the ClassNet workstation
set-aside for the NCD project. The power supply for the
scanner that was shipped earlier was received in a damaged
condition and the NCD team replaced this.


6. The scanner and associated software were installed and
ready when we arrived and functioned normally.


7. NCD Utilities were downloaded to a folder on the shared
drive for ECPO, and short cuts to BioCapture and CableCapture
were placed on the desktops of those who will use these
utilities and manage content for the site.

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Lessons Learned
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8. Post preparation makes a huge difference. The legwork
done in advance by Cairo allowed us to get right to work.
Despite a shorter training schedule due to outgoing flights,
training was very easily completed ahead of time due to post
personnel's familiarity with SIPRNet, interest, and
enthusiasm. Close coordination on preparation work is
essential and pays off.


9. Being savvy SIPRNet users helps. Post personnel's use of
the SIPRNet is definitely on the high end of the scale.


Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo

You can also access this site through the
State Department's Classified SIPRNET website.

CORBIN