Chief Information Officer
IC Technical Specifications
Multi Audience Tearline
Overview
This Data Encoding Specification (DES) defines the XML elements and attributes; associated structures and relationships; mandatory and cardinality requirements; and permissible values for representing Multi Audience Tearlines... metadata associated with an information resource or part of an information resource using XML. MAT.XML can be incorporated into other Data Encoding Specifications.
These metadata are used to represent the system-specific properties assigned to an information resource that will be used, in conjunction with information about the user, and possibly other information, to determine the user’s access to the data. A single information resource may include multiple occurrences of these metadata in order to specify MAT information according to multiple, different access systems.
Compliance with this specification is measured against all aspects of the technical and documentary artifacts contained within the specification release package.
This specification is maintained by the IC Chief Information Officer via the Data Coordination Activity (DCA) and Common Metadata Standards Tiger Team (CMSTT).
Technical Specification Downloads
Latest Approved Public Release:
- Multi Audience Tearlines have now been replaced by Multi Audience Collection.
Mission Requirements
Information sharing within the national intelligence enterprise frequently relies on being able to determine an individual’s MAT as one component in determining whether to allow access to data. The enterprise will increasingly rely on MAT metadata to allow users and systems to find and access a wide-range of data throughout the enterprise. A successful information sharing enterprise depends on the ability of data creators and or providers to specify means by which MAT can be established in a manner to facilitate discovery and access via automated means.
This DES provides a common specification for the means by which a data producer can encode, in their data, the information that an access system needs in order to determine how to grant access. This DES enables a comprehensive capability to appropriately protect data across the enterprise while also allowing access by individuals having appropriate MAT. The nature of the information to be encoded will vary system by system and could include lists of individuals or groups permitted access, descriptions of subject matter in terms defined by the access system, or other traits to be used in evaluating the access an individual has to the data.
This DES provides that common specification. Currently the particulars of any access system’s data needs are not defined. Details for specifying access information and documenting access parameters for particular access systems are to be added in the near future. The systems for which access information will be recorded and constrained will be expanded as their applicability’s are identified to the enterprise.