copies of the certificate of degaussing destruction
should not accompany the media during transmittal.
Performing Security Functions
Security functions are very important in a magnetic
media library, not only for classified media but also for
any material. Data has value, whatever its classification
or use: Top Secret, Secret, Confidential, Privacy Act,
For Official Use Only, or Unclassified. Applicable
security instructions and procedures must be followed.
Some of the tasks include the following:
l
l
l
l
Storing and safeguarding classified media and
materials
Maintaining security logs and library access lists
Degaussing and/or destroying classified media
and materials
Changing lock combinations on doors, safes, and
vaults
Ensure that all security procedures and measures
relating to the library are understood by everyone
connected with the library, especially the librarians.
See that procedures are enforced. This includes
controlling entrance (access) to the library spaces (both
on-site and off-site storage areas), as well as providing
physical and administrative controls of the media. The
librarians must ensure proper security protection is
provided for all magnetic media and materials in
accordance with applicable security instructions and
procedures. This includes issuing, receiving, shipping,
declassification, destruction, and disposal.
MAGNETIC MEDIA ADMINISTRATIVE
DUTIES
Attention to administrative detail is a must. It will
help assure that media are properly maintained and
ready for use. Control logs, pass-down log, library
listings, and reports are all a part of the everyday
administrative functions. Administrative duties and
responsibilities include the following:
. Maintaining tape cleaning, verification, and
degaussing logs
l Checking magnetic media in and out, using
appropriate logs
l Making entries in tape and disk control logs
l Making entries in pass-down log
l
l
l
Labeling magnetic media
Establishing and updating current and history
files
Preparing library listings and reports for
distribution
To accomplish this task requires a specially
designed program that is able to read the internal label
information that is stored on the magnetic media. The
program extracts whatever information it needs to build
a record onto the library master file (or database file).
Once a record is established, you can make changes or
deletions as necessary.
Most AIS installations have incorporated or are
capable of installing some type of automated tape
library control (ATLC) program. Various
manufacturers supply these software programs for their
computing systems.
These programs provide an
automated capability for preparing various user and
management reports to assist in the operation and
control of your installations magnetic media library.
These reports reflect the current status of each tape reel,
disk pack, and diskette in the library. You will find that
various manufacturers give different names to their
library accounting programs; however, the majority of
these software systems accomplish the same functions.
The names may change, but the game is the same. For
this chapter, we use ATLC.
A good ATLC system should be capable of
providing you with the library edit and error, reel master
list, application, user/programmer, media to be
released, library maintenance, off-site storage, and
history reports.
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