Fusing Technology and Human Intelligence

On government facilities in and around the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, an organization works to predict where threats are located. Where might resources be most effectively allocated to counter or disrupt the threats? The organization uses an innovative geospatial intelligence solution.

The organization uses an innovative geospatial intelligence solution from a company called Spatial Data Analytics (SPADAC) that interweaves analysts’ intelligence with technology to provide unique insight to owners of the world’s most critical decisions, so that better and faster risk mitigation and resource allocation decisions can be made. In order to predict the movements of the future, it is critical to analyze the movements of the past. Intelligence analysts understand the power of analyzing the movements of the past, and are constantly searching for tools and methodologies that can help them efficiently parse through information to find knowledge. SPADAC’s Orion/SA is a sophisticated analysis and data fusion engine that is helping these analysts in different efforts around the world.

For example, if a metropolitan area were experiencing a wave of muggings at ATM machines, researchers and subject matter experts would pull together information on lighting, traffic patterns, on which side of the building the ATM was located, police patrol routes and nearby businesses, among other factors. Once the data was loaded into Orion/SA, the software would use human intelligence to pinpoint other ATMs in the area whose characteristics match those at which the previous muggings had taken place.

In a visual representation, the most similar areas appear in bright red. Less similar but still plausible areas appear in yellow. These hotspots are one way to narrow the areas where resources should be focused. In the ATM example, local law enforcement could increase patrols in the areas highlighted as most similar, increasing their chances of apprehending the robber.

Intelligence technology has grown by leaps and bounds, but it will never eliminate the need for human analysts. Rather, by using sophisticated predictive technology, the human analyst will become more accurate and more efficient. Neither component can stand alone. SPADAC’s method of fusing expert analysts’ input with technology makes geointelligence more valuable, providing more relevant and actionable intelligence to those responsible for the most critical decisions in the world—our military, intelligence and law enforcement leaders.

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Replicating Success

The mission of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Remote Replication System (RRS) is to provide custom geospatial intelligence solutions on demand for military and civilian customers across the globe. A deployable system that scans hardcopy or reads digital files to produce and print unique high-resolution maps, the RRS is one of NGA’s most responsive and adaptable support services.

RRS has supported special operations, military exercises, humanitarian efforts, crisis activities and more—all in real time. Fundamental to the system’s success is the expertise and creativity of the analysts who operate it. The system can stand alone or access and transmit data over networks like the Department of Defense’s Global Broadcast system. Besides printing maps, it creates digital media and provides an archiving capability.

The RRS was the first full NGA geographic information system deployed to the field in support of our military. In 1995, it supported the Dayton Peace Accords, printing maps of Bosnia and Herzegovina that helped determine where boundaries should go. In a follow-on to this successful deployment, the RRS deployed in 1996, to Taszar, Hungary, in support of the Bosnia/Herzegovina Stabilization Force. During this deployment, RRS analysts created land-mine charts, custom-route maps and planning maps and graphics of Implementation Force troops led by NATO, the United Kingdom and the United Sates. They also responded to emergency situations, most notably providing the initial search-and-rescue maps when Commerce Secretary Ron Brown’s plane crashed on approach to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Afterward, the analysts supported the crash investigation team.

Copyright © 2007 Geospatial Technology