If you research asymmetric war, use the NCTC WITS system

The work of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) is important and, because of the need to protect our nation's information sources and advantages over international terrorists, criminals and other malicious actors, is not discussed much in the open. But there are things you can learn about NCTC by review of reputable sources. The most important source is testimony of its leadership to Congress.  For example, see the statement of The Honorable … [Read more...]

Enhancing IT Support to the Counter Terror Effort: The Challenge

Several specific and new requirements have been given to the national security community as part of the White House review of security and intelligence systems following the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas day. Collection, processing, organization, and dissemination of information is a priority in the new requirements. This post provides an articulation of some of the technology dimensions of the challenge our nation's counter terror IT … [Read more...]

White House Conducting Review of Cyber

Followers of the cyber initiative and its related work have been strongly encouraged by the kickoff of a 60 day study tasked by the White House and led by Melissa Hathaway.  Melissa was named by President Obama to conduct this review.   As has been reported here in previous posts Melissa is one of the most effective, efficient senior executives in public service, and I have no doubt she will execute this task in a way that benefits the nation. As an … [Read more...]

Threats In the Age of Obama

[amtap book:isbn=1934840807] The world does not change in discrete, binary steps.  There is a great deal of continuity from the past to the present and on to the future.  But many of us sense things are different in the world today.   Technology is changing every life and every business, economic megatrends are producing changes, war and conflict and terrorism inject uncertainty, and the entire dynamic of human events is moving faster and faster. On … [Read more...]