RE: CoT / NIEM

["Ellis, David" <dellis@sandia.gov>]

Matt

Please be more precise when describing the standards efforts developing a basis for deploying a highly scalable, secure, distribution capability for event notification operational needs.  The term XML Router when describing EDXL-DE distribution continues to cause confusion.  In Fact, the IPAWS program office has explored all kinds of "XML Routers" which do not support the use of EDXL-DE metadata for security and distribution routing.  Also, EDXL-DE can distribute non-XML payloads.

The next major issue is stating that the EIC has Oversight of the OASIS Emergency Management technical committee.  OASIS is an International Standards body which develops capability to meet the needs of a diverse set of international agencies.  In the United States, the Federal, State, Tribal, and local fire, police, emergency response agencies are stakeholders.  In the past, the Disaster Management e-Gov program used a practitioners working group to determine needs directly from the responders.  The EIC has always been a vendor consortium dominated by COMCARE which brought a vendor product perspective to be considered by the technical committee.

Finally, the statement that "We see USAF CoT as a substitute for IEEE 1512.4" is not a Sandia National Laboratories position and based on the first sentence of the attached e-mail implies this it is an OASIS EM TC position.  In Fact, we have discussed this and over a year ago documented some requirements for an EDXL Asset Tracking standard to compliment the EDXL-RM standard.  The Asset Tracking efforts of the TC have been postponed until the RM standard was completed.  Also, I believe the Department of Commerce and the IEEE would question this statement.

Sandia National Laboratories is fully committed to work through International standards bodies like OASIS to meet the needs of Federal agencies in deploying systems for Homeland Security.  The wording in the attached e-mail implies Sandia National Laboratories/David Ellis agrees with all aspects of the e-mail.

David E. Ellis
Information Management Architect
(505) 844-6697


-----Original Message-----
From: mkern at mkern dot com [mailto:mkern@mkern.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:00 AM
To: 'Kamran Atri'; 'Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q'; 'Wright, Bill <CTR>'; cv@mowg.cap.gov
Cc: matthew.kern@associates.hq.dhs.gov; Nelson, Brian Dale; Ellis, David; 'Ponikvar, Donald <CTR>'; 'Streetman, Steven <CTR>'; 'Tullia, Thomas'; 'Dilonardo, Robert'
Subject: RE: CoT / NIEM

Kamran:

Dave Ellis of Sandia National Labs is on the OASIS TC committee.  He is also the
lead on producing the pilot DNDO router for the  SETCP (SouthEast Regional
Transportation Corridor Pilot Program.  He is also the lead on the production of
IPAWS routers at FEMA.

Don Ponikvar and Steve Streetman from DNDO are on the EIC (steering committee)
for oversight of OASIS TC.

(I believe we are as highly connected as we can reasonably be.)

Concerning our alignment of concepts and compliance with OASIS, the DNDO DMWG
and it's predecessor group follow the EDXL-DE approach as listed in the EDXL-DE
standard, with modifications, as follows.  First, the EDXL-DE standard says it
may be used to encapsulate EDXL-CAP or EDXL-HAVE or EDXL-RM or IEEE 1512
messages.  IEEE 1512 includes 1512.base for OC interoperation, 1512.1 for
traffic management, 1512.3 for HAZMAT- but IEEE 1512.4 for mobile units was
never completed and work has halted.  We see USAF CoT as a substitute for IEEE
1512.4.  DNDO also hopes to encapsulate CBP N25/T25 in EDXL-DE wrappers.
EDXL-DE is seen as a protocol intended for use between XML routers.  The GNDS
(Global Nuclear Detection System) hopes to use the infrastructure of others like
CBP, TSA and the IC, who primarily use XML routers for infrastructure, and
EDXL-DE offers hope for interconnection and interoperation of these routers.

(I believe we are also about as compliant as possible.)

Some eventual assistance from EDMO to cause others in DHS to also adopt such
compliance would be very helpful.  USCG and FEMA are already moving in this
direction.  I can forward you a FEMA white-paper on that.   CBP and TSA are
other key targets for interoperation, and especially SBInet, where we could use
assistance concerning harmonization and interoperation based on DHS standards.

Matt




-----Original Message-----
From: Kamran Atri [mailto:katri@paragontech.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:14 AM
To: Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q; Wright, Bill <CTR>; cv@mowg.cap.gov
Cc: matthew.kern@associates.hq.dhs.gov; mkern@mkern.com; bdnelso@sandia.gov
Subject: RE: CoT / NIEM

EDXL is also part of NIEM (work in progress). Who in EDXL are you working with?


Thanks,

Kamran Atri
703-930-6057

-----Original Message-----
From: Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q
[mailto:Stephen.Hoogasian@pentagon.af.mil]
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 8:28 AM
To: Wright, Bill <CTR>; Kamran Atri; cv@mowg.cap.gov
Cc: matthew.kern@associates.hq.dhs.gov; mkern@mkern.com; bdnelso@sandia.gov
Subject: RE: CoT / NIEM

Gents,

I might also suggest speaking with both LtCol Troy Campbell and Mr Brian Nelson
of Sandia.  They are making progress on very similar issues in coordinating the
intercommunication between CoT and EDXL (emergency data exchange language).

v/r
Hoog

Lt Col Stephen Hoogasian
Irregular Warfare Requirements
HQ USAF/A5R-Q, Rm 5C161
Comm: 703-614-4940

"Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and
leave a trail." - Emerson


-----Original Message-----
From: Wright, Bill <CTR> [mailto:Bill.Wright.ctr@wg.srs.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:49 PM
To: Kamran Atri; Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q
Cc: matthew.kern@associates.hq.dhs.gov; mkern@mkern.com
Subject: RE: CoT / NIEM

Kamran,
thanks so much for the reply.
Here is a central question that I have.
CoT emphasizes significantly the use of attributes for defining properties of
objects. (Or at least this is my current understanding.) NIEM emphasizes
strongly the use of elements and recommends very limited use of attributes.
In fact, I have suggested that more use of attributes should be made in our NIEM
models,  and I have had a pretty strong push back against this.
So I'm wondering how this architectual conflict around the use of attributes by
NIEM and CoT is being addressed?

cheers,
Bill

________________________________

From: Kamran Atri [mailto:katri@paragontech.net]
Sent: Wed 2/20/2008 16:38
To: Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q; Wright, Bill <CTR>
Cc: matthew.kern@associates.hq.dhs.gov; mkern@mkern.com
Subject: RE: CoT / NIEM



We (me and CoT team) really have not started the work yet. I have received a
demo so far and a few documentation.
Just a correction, We are not "working on the incorporation of CoT into NIEM".
In actuality when the CoT team is ready we will help CoT to gain compliancy with
NIEM (which I don't forecast to be a large tasking or activities).
Ill be happy to talk with you or anyone else anytime.


Thanks,

Kamran Atri
703-930-6057

-----Original Message-----
From: Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q
[mailto:Stephen.Hoogasian@pentagon.af.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:31 PM
To: Wright, Bill <CTR>
Cc: Kamran Atri; matthew.kern@associates.hq.dhs.gov; mkern@mkern.com
Subject: RE: CoT / NIEM

Mr Wright,

That is Mr Kamran Atri, cc'd in the message.  Also assisting greatly is Mr
Matthew Kern, also cc'd.

v/r
Hoog

Lt Col Stephen Hoogasian
Irregular Warfare Requirements
HQ USAF/A5R-Q, Rm 5C161
Comm: 703-614-4940

"Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and
leave a trail." - Emerson


-----Original Message-----
From: Wright, Bill <CTR> [mailto:Bill.Wright.ctr@wg.srs.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:27 PM
To: Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q
Subject: FW: USCG


Steve,
could I get a contact at NIEM who is working on the incorporation of CoT into
NIEM?

cheers,
Bill Wright

________________________________

From: mkern at mkern dot com [mailto:mkern@mkern.com]
Sent: Wed 2/20/2008 12:28
To: 'Dilonardo, Robert'; 'Bredehoft, Brent'; 'McDevitt, Steven'; 'Waddell,
David'; 'Bongers, Martin'; 'Biesecker, Kevin'; 'Dordal, Liz';
DavidM.Webb@dhs.gov; 'Vazquez, Jose'; Briggs, Kevin; 'Ponikvar, Donald <CTR>';
'Streetman, Steven <CTR>'; Young, David; lee.smith@dhs.gov; 'dae lee';
zaur@comcast.net; Wright, Bill <CTR>; joe.wileman@ensco.com; 'Tullia, Thomas';
bdnelso@sandia.gov; dellis@sandia.gov; 'Kamran Atri'; donna.roy@dhs.gov;
kshemendra.paul@usdoj.gov; felix@feacinstitute.org; beryl@feacinstitute.org;
bjones@doc.gov; jeanne.etzel@dhs.gov; trent.depersia@dhs.gov;
William.Ford@usdoj.gov; stephen.molnar1@us.army.mil; skip@antipatterns.com;
reng@mitre.org; troubadour3m@adelphia.net; jeffrey.larue@hp.com;
REICHJ@stratcom.mil; Michael.Pongrace@associates.dhs.gov;
Ralph.Kohler@rl.af.mil; emackrell@hotmail.com; David.Gearhart@afit.edu;
franklane@comcast.net; mcalister@nlectc-se.org; 'Trick, Lawrence L. CIV
COMNAVAIRSYSCOMPATUXENTRIVERMD Air 4.1'; Shawn.Matz@dhs.gov;
mary.register@dhs.gov
Cc: cv@mowg.cap.gov; 'Kluckhuhn, Christopher LCDR'; drobbins@mitre.org; 'mkern
at mkern dot com'; 'Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q'
Subject: RE: USCG


All:

I am sorry for any interruption of your work: Just a small bit of news to
brighten your day.

This link < http://www.mowg.cap.gov/gesa/CAPsitmap.cgi > provides access to an
ongoing low-budget pilot for providing nationwide situation awareness to
state/local/tribal government.  This website is the tip of a nationwide XML
router network iceberg.  Access and use of the router network to publish SA from
your system, receive SA as input to your system (with your user interface) or
view SA via their user interface is all free.  Improvements in the user
interface to provide more sophisticated filtering are in process.  Improvements
to the router network to provide greater security are in process.  Improvements
to interfaces to EDXL-DE sources and civil government routers are in process.
Improvements to real-time data sources are in process.

This work is a snapshot view of ongoing collaboration fostering interoperation
between FEMA, USAF, USCG, CAP and many others, including many free contributions
from DHS and DOD vendors who want to do something for their country.  The budget
is nearly zero and it is not an official program to allow individual charity
contribution and to avoid any buildup of organizational barriers.  Many of these
folks have been motivated by 9/11 and Katrina.

The basic technology used is the USAF CoT protocol.  This technology was
contributed to the public domain by SECAF in 2007.  MITRE provides free routers
and other software.  Over 150 operational systems currently use this protocol.
CoT is being incorporated into NIEM.  USCG, the DHS lead in C2, is actively
using CoT to transform its C2 operations.  CoT compliments and does not compete
with OASIS and IEEE 1512 standards, filling the gap left by the incomplete IEEE
1512.4 standard for mobile units (essentially blue force tracking and
mobile/portable SA functions).

(More information can be obtained from myself or
Stephen.Hoogasian@pentagon.af.mil )

Again I apologize for any interruption, however I thought some news of progress
on this critical problem (federal/state/local/tribal cooperative situation
awareness) might bring you some small joy!
Perhaps the next crisis will include a means to interoperate and exchange unit
positions, allowing us to work together as one country.
Thanks for your time!

Matt

Matthew Ford Kern, BSEE, CEADODAF,  CEAFEAF VP, EA Practice Manager,
Constellation Incorporated








________________________________

From: mkern at mkern dot com [mailto:mkern@mkern.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 11:22 AM
To: 'Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q'
Cc: cv@mowg.cap.gov; 'Kluckhuhn, Christopher LCDR'; drobbins@mitre.org; 'mkern
at mkern dot com'
Subject: RE: USCG


Troy, Chris, Doug:

Have I mentioned that you guys are my heroes this week yet?

(I love it when a plan comes together.)

Matthew Ford Kern, BSEE, CEADODAF,  CEAFEAF VP, EA Practice Manager,
Constellation Incorporated








________________________________

From: Hoogasian Stephen M Col Select AF/A5R-Q
[mailto:Stephen.Hoogasian@pentagon.af.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:52 AM
To: mkern@mkern.com
Cc: cv@mowg.cap.gov
Subject: USCG



Matthew,



Take a look!  Bring up the USCG feed.  This is going on real time!  Troy ROCKS!
So do Kluckhuhn and Doug!



http://www.mowg.cap.gov/gesa/CAPsitmap.cgi



v/r
Hoog



Lt Col Stephen Hoogasian
Irregular Warfare Requirements
HQ USAF/A5R-Q, Rm 5C161

Comm: 703-614-4940



"Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go instead where there is no path and
leave a trail." - Emerson