NET-CENTRIC DIPLOMACY TRIP REPORT-

UNCLAS MADRID 000173 SIPDIS DEPT FOR RM/IRP DAVID MCKEE AND EDIPLOMACY GERALD GALLUCCI FROM FRED HASSANI, TEAM LEAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AINF OTRA SUBJECT: NET-CENTRIC DIPLOMACY TRIP REPORT- MADRID, DECEMBER 15-17 SUMMARY ¶1. A visit to install the NCD pilot system for publishing biographic files and telegraphic reports to the SIPRNet took place from December 15-17. The NCD application was successfully installed on a ClassNet workstation and the locally engaged contractor was fully trained in its use. Post Support ¶2. Outstanding support was provided by Embassy Madrid. Control Officer Stephen Widenhouse pre- briefed mission elements, arranged meetings, and ensured that the technical infrastructure was in place and functioning properly. Briefings and Training ¶3. Formal overview briefings on NCD were done for representatives of the Pol and Econ sections. A technical briefing on NCD was provided for IMO section staff. The Bio Reports officer was briefed on the goals of the program and the next steps. Finally, an overview was provided to the Charge. ¶4. Hands-on NCD training was provided for the CITI local contract hire on the use of the application and procedures for upgrading the client software. Hardware/Software ¶5. The client software was downloaded and functioned normally. The NCD-provided HP 8500 scanner was installed and worked well. A workspace and 4-drawer safe were provided in the CAA and will be available for the duration of the project. Lessons Learned ¶6. A great deal of bio information no longer makes it into the paper files. In Madrid, as in many other posts visited by NCD, much current biographic information exists only in emails sent from officer to officer. Capturing, cataloguing, and recording this information can be problematical to impossible. If the senders and recipients of the email messages have departed post, the information is usually simply lost: email is ephemeral. Providing a way for officers to post information directly into the persistent biographic database via email would be a big plus. Post Comment ¶7. Post would like to thank the NCD team for choosing Madrid as a pilot post and Fred Hassani for his excellent support during his visit. We look forward to working with NCD in the next phase of this project. MANZANARES