(26 - 30 September 1994)

EXPERT GROUP ON DATA SYSTEMS

EIGHTH REPORT

1. Introduction

1.1 The Expert Group on Data Systems met in The Hague on 24 August 1994 to discuss the following issues:

(a) the IMS security model;

(b) evaluation reports for national IMS offers; and

(c) the IMS budget for 1995.

1.2 Mr. Olivier Caron of France continued as Chairman of the Expert Group.

1.3 The Group received the following papers for its consideration:

(a) report of the Task Force on Data Systems;

(b) IMS Security Issues paper prepared by the Data Systems Task Force; and

(c) Secretariat evaluation report on the Finnish National Offer for the Analytical Database for the OPCW.

2. IMS security model and IMS budget for 1995

2.1 The Expert Group reviewed the report of the Task Force on Data Systems, which had met on 22 and 23 August 1994 in The Hague. This report contained a number of conclusions regarding the issue of the security model for the IMS.

2.2 The Expert Group endorsed the view of the Task Force that a Note by the Executive Secretary on IMS security issues would be helpful to achieve a decision on the IMS security issue. The Executive Secretary was invited to issue such a Note as soon as possible.

2.3 In the absence of a recommendation by the Task Force on the IMS information security model, the Group invited Member States to review the papers distributed on this issue at its meeting in order to prepare for a solution as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Group considered that the Expert Group on Programme of Work and Budget, on the basis of the understanding that at this stage all options regarding to the final decision in relation to the information security model for the OPCW IMS are kept open, should at this stage not take a decision on any of the three options proposed. The Group requested the Secretariat to circulate a paper outlining the types of security features (C2 and additional measures versus the B1 security level) that could be implemented on the basis of the current draft Programme of Work and Budget.

The Group requested its Chairman to conduct consultations with all interested delegations in order to resolve the matter before the Eighth Session of the Commission in order to allow the Commission to take a decision on an option. For that purpose, the Group agreed to schedule an ad hoc meeting for 19 September 1994, which all interested Member States are invited to attend. The Group requested the Secretariat immediately to notify all Member States of the time and venue of this ad hoc meeting.

2.4 The Group did not again review other aspects of the Information Systems Branch budget but understood that delegations may wish to address specific items during the deliberations of the Expert Group on Programme of Work and Budget.

2.5 The Group agreed that there is a need for a common understanding in relation to the security requirements of the IMS in order for the Convention to be smoothly implemented. The implications of operating in the security requirements should be brought to the attention of the Expert Group on Confidentiality, as well as the need for clarification of the draft material (on general principles for the handling and protection of confidential information) presently under consideration by that Group.

3. Evaluation of the US offer for the IMS

The Group took note that the Task Force on Data Systems has been notified by the Secretariat that it is in the final stage of evaluating the US offer for the IMS. The evaluation report will be circulated to the Task Force members by 29 August 1994 for comment. The Expert Group agreed that the Secretariat will present its evaluation report together with the comments received to the ad hoc meeting of this Group on 19 September 1994.

4. Evaluation of the Finnish offer

As recommended by the Task Force on Data Systems, the Expert Group endorsed the Secretariat's evaluation report on the Finnish offer.

5. Recommendations

5.1 The Group recommended that Working Group A request the Commission to accept the Finnish offer for the purposes identified by the Secretariat, as a stand-alone system.

5.2 The Group requested Working Group A to convey the content of paragraph 2.5 of this Report to Working Group B for it to take appropriate action.

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