How to Modernize Data Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination Methods

Government and military organizations today have more data than they know what to do with. Terabytes of data are collected each day from various types of equipment all over the world. This multitude of resources has made examining and integrating disparate data types from different sources — particularly video — in a timely and cost-effective manner a significant challenge. As the ways in which we collect data have evolved, so do the methods we use to analyze it.

In order to maintain superiority, PED methods need to be integrated into one holistic and efficient intelligence-gathering system. This was the goal of the Algorithmic Warfare Cross-functional Team (AWCFT) task force. Established in April of 2017, the main goal of the task force is to modernize PED capabilities so that audio, video and other sources of intelligence gathered continuously can be used to improve outcomes and support operations in real-time.

Central to this effort is technology development and a strategic rethinking of how an organization typically carries out PED operations. As the amount of data collected increases, it is critical that modern tools such as machine learning, automation and advanced analytics are used to streamline the time-consuming collecting and tagging tasks associated with PED. Then, analysts can use their time and expertise to better examine situationally-relevant data, rather than pouring through hours of monotonous and extraneous video. Many machines now have the capabilities to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. There is a need to develop a national strategy to take advantage of this potential. Machines should do the analytics; people should do the analysis.

These capabilities are now more viable and affordable than ever before. They’re empowering organizations to liberate data from silos and democratize it between different departments and agencies to discover new insights, patterns and developments, allowing them to become more agile in responding to today’s various evolving threats.

Successful PED modernization and integration requires an enterprise-wide rethinking about the strategies and tools entrusted to carry out analysis, and is easily misunderstood. Such efforts have been tried before, and have failed. Often an organization’s PED technology or practices, though out-of-date, has become so entrenched that it is difficult to build upon or replace.

The need to develop a holistic and modern approach to PED capabilities, however, is more critical now than ever before to stay ahead of our adversaries for future success.

Read the thought piece to learn more about this topic.

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