In Plain View: Making Open Source Intelligence a Priority
In the virtual public square, the most valuable intelligence might not be so secret. In fact, the intelligence might be in plain view. During the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the public discovered that the Boston Marathon bombers learned how to build their weapons not in a clandestine operation, but from Al-Qaeda’s public and free online magazine, Inspire. Everything the Tsarnaevs knew about terrorism came from open source information.
Using Intelligence to Identify Border Threats
The United States confronts a wide array of threats. Terrorism. Transnational criminal organizations. Drug and weapons smuggling. Human trafficking. Cybercrime. And the ongoing challenge of illegal migration across U.S. borders.
Sometimes It Takes Fresh Eyes to Solve an Agency’s Biggest Challenge
“Doing more with less” seems particularly relevant today. Federal agencies face growing demands and smaller budgets. Given this climate, the tendency to address government’s biggest challenges with in-house staff is understandable. An alternative approach is to apply external resources to address entrenched issues. External experts with mission knowledge and experience set clear goals and provide a repeatable process to get there. Trusted consultants work hand-in-hand with clients to quickly set a path for success – what we call Speed to Mission.
Organizational Culture Enhances Cyber Security
Every week, both public and private sector organizations face new cyber security threats. Those who wish to bring down information technology (IT) systems, whether against Government agencies or major corporations, possess the skills and persistence necessary to do so.
Why Speed is Now More Important than Ever
This era of agile development, rapid prototyping and the pervasiveness of “apps” on phones, tablets, and computers, means that the public now more than ever expects a higher level of service and support.
Accelerating Results in the Homeland Security Enterprise
Across the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), priorities change quickly and missions evolve – sometimes even more quickly than agencies anticipate. The need to adapt, quickly identify and implement solutions, and achieve early successes that build momentum towards lasting capability is critical.
The Lost Art of Strategic Assessments
In fields as varied as finance, retail, and Government, today’s conversations focus on speed: organizations must be fast, agile, and dynamic, and they must be able to quickly seize opportunities and head off threats.
Information Sharing: The Key to Combating Human Trafficking
Widely regarded as modern slavery, human trafficking refers to the act of profiting from the control and exploitation of others, most commonly in the context of forced labor, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and organ harvesting. Victims often lose their identity, dignity, and self-worth.
Honoring Those That Design for Disaster: National Building Museum Highlights Innovative Risk Mitigation
A multimedia exhibit at the National Building Museum features organizations and individuals that are providing innovative solutions to Mother Nature’s most devastating natural disasters. The exhibit, ‘Designing for Disaster’ features images, videos, models, and presentations of new research and work in the fields of risk assessment and natural hazard mitigation.
Think Twice Before Immigrating to Italy
A hot topic in the United States and in many European countries this year, immigration debates intensified in Italy’s Parliament due to the increased number of immigrants flooding Italy’s borders. Why such a big debate? Italy’s immigration policy is not well defined, relatively new, and full of contradictions.
Hurricanes on the Boardwalk
Hurricane season has always been a big deal in Miami, but not so much in Philadelphia. This could change soon.