National Data Exploration Capabilities

Overview

The Center's National Data Exploration Capabilities program focuses on the requirements, tools and policies necessary for the successful implementation of large-scale data exploration efforts, yielding meaningful results while upholding legal and privacy considerations.

The main objectives of the program are:

To capture and share domain expertise among computer scientists, analysts, linguists, and other domain experts
To use existing technologies as the basis for introducing intent-aware analysis approaches into the information retrieval and expert systems
Develop novel technologies for better information management and analysis
Develop technical recommendations and implementation guidance

NDEC builds upon a body of previous research efforts by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies and its affiliated institutions. The multi-disciplinary program is being carried out by experts in the fields of information fusion, multilingual information retrieval, intelligence analysis, psychology, and information sharing. With a mission to efficiently analyze massive heterogeneous data sources (such as text, audio and video) in multiple languages and produce actionable intelligence, NDEC crosses three distinct CADS thrust areas - Cognitive Studies, Information Sciences and Global Security.

NDEC's technological applications focus on the intention awareness approach, a paradigm applicable to the information domain. Ongoing work by the Center in this area also includes such projects as the State Department-sponsored Radicalization Watch Project, the QUIET Multilingual Retrieval System (in collaboration with Harris Corporation) and Blog Watcher.

Key personnel

LTC Anthony Shaffer, USAR – Director, Information Operations
Newton Howard, Ph.D. – Director, Intelligence and Technology Group
Jerrold M. Post, M.D. – Director, Cognitive Studies and Assessment Group

Related reading

"The Clash of Perceptions"
Mathieu Guidère and Newton Howard
Washington, DC: Center for Advanced Defense Studies
Defense Concepts Series, March 2006