Draft Minutes

INCITS Standards Policy Board (SPB)
Meeting Number 8

Sony Electronics                             
1200 North Arlington Heights Road
Itasca, Illinois 60143

Wednesday

September 15, 2004

9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

1. Administrative

1.1 Call to Order

(D. Michael)

Mr. Michael, Chairman of the INCITS Standards Policy Board (SPB), called the eighth meeting of the SPB to order at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, September 15, 2004.

1.2 Membership and Attendance

(J. Garner)

1.2.1 Introduction of Members and Attendees

The meeting participants were introduced.  The attendance list for the September 15, 2004 SPB meeting is available in Attachment 1. 

Voting members without representation at the September 2004 meeting of the INCITS Standards Policy Board (SPB) were:

Business (Large/Small Business)

• EMC²
  
• Farance Inc.
• Panasonic Technologies
• Sun Microsystems

Non-Business (Government/Major and Minor SDOs)

• EIA
• Uniform Code Council (UCC)

The advisory (non-voting) member without representation at the September 2004 SPB meeting was Unisys.

1.2.2 Membership Report

Voting membership on the SPB is achieved when voting membership has been established on the Executive Board.  Unless the Secretariat receives notification that a voting EB member does not want voting membership on the SPB, the voting membership of the two committees is the same.  

At this time, voting SPB members are:

• 11 Business (Large/Small Business):  Apple Computer, EMC², Farance Inc., Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Panasonic Technologies, Sony Electronics, Sun Microsystems
• 5 Non-Business (Government/Major and Minor SDOs):  EIA, IEEE, NIST, Uniform Code Council (UCC), US Department of Defense (DoD)
• 1 Special Interest (User Groups/Academic/Consortia):  ICCP
• 1 New Non-Business (not yet attained voting rights):  Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The advisory SPB member is:

• 1 Advisory (non-voting):  Unisys
  

Voting membership stands at 17 organizations.  Quorum is 9.  Ten organizations with voting memberships attended the September 2004 Standards Policy Board meeting.  The attendance list is available in Attachment 1.

1.3 Approval of the Draft Minutes for the July 19-20, 2004 Meeting of the Standards Policy Board (SPB)

(D. Michael)

The SPB was referred to the draft minutes of the July 2004 meeting of the INCITS Standards Policy Board (in041097).  The draft minutes of the July 19-20, 2004 seventh meeting of the INCITS SPB were approved as presented by unanimous consent (Barrett/Thewlis).

Reference:  in041097

1.3.1  Review of the Standards Policy Board Action Items

(J. Garner)

Ms. Garner reported that with the exception of the following, the SPB action items (in041161) were completed or overcome by events:

Action Items Assigned at the July 2004 INCITS Standards Policy Board Meeting

10.  The draft policy on access to INCITS document and reflectors, as well as participation at INCITS meetings, will be submitted for consideration at the September 2004 SPB meeting.  (Agenda Item 5.1, July 2004 SPB meeting) - CARRYOVER

Reference:  in041161

1.4 Approval of the Draft Agenda, September 15, 2004

(D. Michael)

The members reviewed the second revised draft agenda for the September 15, 2004 meeting of the INCITS Standards Policy Board (SPB) as contained in in041197. The second revised draft agenda (in041197) was approved as presented by unanimous consent (Deutsch/Thewlis).  The final agenda for the September 2004 meeting of the INCITS Standards Policy Board is available in Attachment 2.

Reference:  in041197

3.1 Identification of Attributes of a Successful INCITS Organization

(D. Michael)

Mr. Michael reported that this agenda item was the result of discussions at the August 2004 INCITS officers' retreat.  Two possible paths for putting the "international" in INCITS are addressed under agenda items 4.1.2 and 4.2.1.

Following extensive discussion, it was agreed to focus on the following areas:

• identify new areas of work (Information Security Management and Cyber Security)
• make INCITS more attractive and relevant to new work
• identify ways to structurally deal with new work - more flexible alternatives
  

It was agreed that the following SPB recommendation would be submitted for consideration at the September 2004 Executive Board meeting:

The INCITS Executive Board approves the establishment of a group to conduct an inventory activity on existing Cyber Security standardization and to aggressively pursue new work on Cyber Security.

Based upon earlier discussion, it was agreed that the current RD-5, Project Proposal, should be updated to make it more user-friendly.

Action Item:  Mr. Barrett volunteered to draft a revised version of the RD-5, Project Proposal, to make it more user-friendly.

Action Item:  The INCITS Secretariat will issue a call for contributions on the following issues for consideration at the January 2005 SPB meeting:

• How can we raise the flag of INCITS to attract new areas of work?
• Modifications to the existing structure of the INCITS organization and new ways to structure INCITS to better do the work.
• What causes organizations to establish work in places besides INCITS?

Action Item:  The SPB Chairman agreed to prepare a detailed synopsis of the discussion from the September 2004 SPB meeting on the attributes of a successful INCITS organization.

4.1 ISO/IEC JTC 1

4.1.1 For Action - Status of US National Body Participation on the JTC 1 Technology Watch Activity

(D. Michael)

Mr. Michael reported that following the April 2004 meeting, the INCITS Secretariat issued a call, to the SPB members and TC Chairmen, for candidates to head the US effort on the JTC 1 Technology Watch activity (in040720). No candidates were identified.  At the July 2004 SPB meeting it was agreed that the status of US participation on the JTC 1 Technology Watch activity would be revisited at the September 2004 SPB meeting.

Mr. Michael referred the SPB to the recommendations from the June 2004 Technology Watch workshop as contained in JTC 1 N 7529c and JTC 1 N 7529.

Following discussion, it was agreed that this recommendation would be submitted for consideration at the September 2004 INCITS Executive Board meeting:

Following the October 2004 JTC 1 Plenary, the US National Body will withdraw from participation on the JTC 1 Technology Watch activity, in the absence of a candidate to lead US participation.

Reference:  in040720 (call for leadership of US participation), JTC 1 N 7529c and JTC 1 N 7529 (recommendations from June 2004 JTC 1 Technology Watch workshop)

4.1.2 Direct Participation

(D. Michael)

Mr. Michael reported that this agenda item was the result of discussions at the August 2004 INCITS officers' retreat.  He referred the SPB members to the US contributions to the November 1999 JTC 1 Plenary (JTC 1 N 5909) and the June 2000 JTC 1 Strategic Planning meeting (JTC 1 N 6160) proposing a simplified two-level structure with direct participation on Technical Groups.

It was noted that at the last JTC 1 Plenary, Mr. Brannon of ITTF had requested a copy of the US contribution on direct participation for review by ITTF.  While the US was not successful in advocating the concept of direct participation in JTC 1, we were successful in influencing ANSI to incorporate the concept into their international strategies and objectives over the past few years.

Following additional discussion, the SPB Ad Hoc on Direct Participation was established to review the previous US contributions on direct participation (JTC 1 N 5909 and JTC 1 N 6160) and update them as necessary.  The financial impact of direct participation, as well as the funding models used by other organizations, will be considered.  The SPB Ad Hoc on Direct Participation will develop the US strategy to pursue direct participation.  Mr. Michael agreed to chair the ad hoc and the following members agreed to participate on the ad hoc:  Dr. Deutsch, Ms. Higginbottom, Mr. Jameson, Mr. Stanwyck and Mr. Thewlis.

Action Item:  The INCITS Secretariat will issue a call for additional participants to serve on the INCITS SPB Ad Hoc on Direct Participation and will establish a reflector for use by the activity.

Action Item:  The Chairman of the INCITS SPB Ad Hoc on Direct Participation will prepare a report for consideration at the January 2005 SPB meeting.

Reference:  JTC 1 N 5909 (US contribution to November 1999 JTC 1 Plenary), JTC 1 N 6160 (US contribution to June 2000 JTC 1 Strategic Planning meeting)

4.2 ISO

4.2.1 ISO Modalities of Cooperation with Partner SDOs

(D. Michael)

At the July 2004 SPB meeting, information on ISO modalities of cooperation with SDOs that had been discussed at the June 2004 AIF meeting (in040755) was reviewed.  Mr. Cornish from ANSI who gave a presentation (in041009) on ISO Modalities of Cooperation with SDOs.  Mr. Cornish noted that ASTM and IEEE, and possibly API, have been contacted by ISO.  A fee was not associated with a PSDO's participation. The SPB discussed pursing INCITS' participation in this program.   Following discussion, it had been agreed that the following SPB recommendation would be submitted for consideration at the July 2004 INCITS Executive Board meeting:

The INCITS Executive Board remands to the LRPBC the strategic discussion of INCITS seeking recognition as an ISO Partner SDO (PSDO).

At the September 2004 SPB meeting, Mr. Michael reported that this topic had been discussed at the August 2004 officers' retreat.

Action Item:  Ms. Higginbottom (EB Chair), Mr. Michael (SPB Chair) and Mr. Barrett (SDB Chair) will develop an INCITS PSDO presentation to be presented to ANSI to determine ANSI's support.  Following that, a meeting will be scheduled with Mr.  Bryden of ISO to present the INCITS PSDO presentation.

Reference:  in040755 (information from June 2004 AIF meeting), in041009 (S. Cornish presentation)

4.3 ANSI

4.3.1 Update on ANSI Committee Activity

(P. Morris)

Mr. Morris gave an update on ANSI committee activity as detailed in the reports of the August 2004 AIC (in041182) and AIF meetings (in041183).

Mr. Morris reported that the AIC agreed to support in principle ANSI hosting the ISO General Assembly meetings in 2010 in conjunction with the
USNC hosting the IEC General Assembly meetings, subject to the concurrence of the USNC Council. The AIC Chairman has formed an AIC ad hoc group to develop this business plan, ANSI has established a foundation to fund hosting the ISO General Assembly, and there is already $215K in this foundation.  Given the out-year planning that is necessary for JTC 1 meetings, it was suggested that INCITS consider whether or not the US try to
collocate the JTC 1 Plenary with these meetings, and have the FBC discuss financing issues.

Action Item:  The SPB requests that FBC consideration of options for funding a 2010 US hosted JTC 1 Plenary, to be collocated with the ISO and IEC General Assembly meetings, be placed on the FBC list of standing list/table of issues having possible financial impacts in coming years.

Action Item:  An agenda item will be posted for consideration at the January 2005 SPB meeting on "Succession Planning for US International Officers, Secretariats and US TAG Administrators".

Mr. Morris gave an update on the action item related to stabilized standards.  He reported that the topic of stabilized standards had been placed on the ANSI NPC agenda for the following week.  Mr. Holleman provided an update on IEEE's view of stabilized standards.

Reference:  in041182 (report of August 2004 AIC meeting), in041183 (report of August 2004 AIF meeting)

4.3.2 For Action - INCITS Membership on the ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP)

(K. Higginbottom)

The ANSI Homeland Security Standards Panel (HSSP) was established to serve as a coordinating body for the development and enhancement of Homeland Security and emergency preparedness standards.  At the July 2004 meeting, it was noted that ANSI had proposed beginning to charge participants on the HSSP.  

Mr. Morris has been named the INCITS principal representative on the HSSP.  It was agreed that at this time, INCITS would not seek membership on the ANSI HSSP Steering Committee.

4.3.2.1 For Action - INCITS Participation on the ANSI HSSP Database Group

At the July 2004 SPB meeting, information (in040890) detailing the establishment of the Homeland Security Standards Database Group was reviewed. ANSI is working with DHS to build a comprehensive, online database of standards related to homeland security.  This resource will enable DHS, first responders, state and local officials, and others to quickly identify and obtain the voluntary standards they need in their efforts to provide for the defense of our nation. As part of this effort, the ANSI-HSSP is forming a group ("Database Group") to facilitate the exchange of information and experiences to aid in the development of the homeland security standards database.  In order to increase the interoperability and extensibility of the database, it is important that other existing or in-development homeland security related efforts be leveraged and coordinated.   This coordination process is already under way at ANSI, but there is a need for a wider forum to ensure that the broad range of efforts are considered as input. Topics for discussion within the ANSI-HSSP Database Group will include:

• Building of the classification scheme (taxonomy):  ANSI has undertaken an initiative to create a controlled vocabulary or taxonomy to specifically help facilitate access to standards in the homeland security domain by allowing for more precise standards classification, indexing, and retrieval.
• Harmonization of data exchange:  Accurate and timely exchange and aggregation of the metadata for homeland security related standards is critical to the success of the project.  ANSI is working to employ an XML-based metadata standard to aid in this effort.

Participants on the ANSI-HSSP Database Group will be asked to share approaches on a range of topics, including the adaptation of existing more broadly defined homeland security taxonomies and the harmonization of data exchange. The group is open to all ANSI-HSSP participants.  ANSI will provide a chairperson to facilitate the meetings and on-going communications between the group. The work of the Database Group will be conducted via e-mail and teleconference as much as possible; however, in-person meetings are anticipated.  The first meeting of this group is scheduled for September 29, 2004 in New York City. 

Action Item:  Mr. Zimmerman agreed to report at the January 2005 SPB meeting on the activities of ANSI-HSSP Database Group.

Reference:  in040890 

4.3.2.2 Update on the INCITS Proposal to Sponsor an HSSP Workshop on Global Positioning

11:00 AM - Wednesday, September 15 (L. Hothem by teleconference)

At the January 2004 SPB meeting, it had been agreed that it would be worthwhile to consider sponsoring a workshop in an area where INCITS had strengths and could take a lead role.  The INCITS Secretariat issued a call for information on Global Positioning (in040278) from INCITS/ L1 and Mr. Kurihara for discussion, at the April 2004 SPB meeting, on a possible HSSP Workshop to be led by INCITS.  During the L1 annual report presentation at the April 2004 SDB meeting, Mr. Andersen, the L1 Chairman, had agreed to submit the request for consideration by his committee.

At the July SPB meeting, Ms. Garner reported that the L1 Chairman had notified her that L1 had discussed the request and had identified a committee member to work with the SPB on a workshop.  Mr. Hothem (US Geological Survey) has contacted the INCITS Secretariat to discuss a workshop on GPS, however, contact was not made in time for the meeting. It was agreed that the status of the INCITS offer to sponsor an HSSP workshop on GPS would be revisited at the September 2004 SPB meeting.

In advance of the September meeting, the INCITS Secretariat had put Mr. Hothem in contact with Mr. Podio, who led the organization of the biometrics conference last year, to get idea of the impact and resources required to host a workshop and to determine if there is an upcoming GPS conference with which this workshop could be colocated.

During the September 2004 SPB meeting, Mr. Hothem participated by teleconference in the discussion of this agenda item.  Following discussion, it was agreed that the workshop would focus on existing standards and those needed to fill in the gaps.  Mr. Hothem reported that he would investigate holding the workshop in conjunction with the June 2005 Instrument Navigation Conference in Cambridge, Massachussetts.

Action Item:  Upon receipt of written confirmation from Mr. Hothem of the date, location and collocated conference, the INCITS Secretariat will submit to ANSI HSSP the INCITS offer to host an HSSP conference on GPS.

Reference:  in040278 (request for input from INCITS/L1)

At the April 2004 SPB meeting, Mr. Michael had reported that the formulation of a policy on access to INCITS documents and reflectors had been requested by the INCITS Secretariat in response to numerous requests and inquiries.  The current INCITS procedures and policy documents do not provide guidance on access rights to INCITS documents and reflectors.  It was agreed that not everything could be covered under the INCITS procedures or policies. Following extensive discussion, it was noted that effective May 1, 2004, the TC Chairmen and SDB Liaisons would be sent the official TC membership rosters with the instruction that only members in good standing, as defined in the RD-2, should be retained on the TC reflectors.  

Mr. Zemrowski had volunteered to take the lead in drafting a policy on access to INCITS document and reflectors, as well as participation at INCITS meetings.  Mr. Michael (Apple Computer), Mr. Hogan (NIST) and Mr. Mondello (Sun Microsystems) volunteered to assist Mr. Zemrowski. Mr. Michael reported that this activity had not yet been initiated due to Mr. Zemrowski's workload.  

It was agreed that the matter would be revisited at the January 2005 SPB meeting.