Memex Intelligence & Information Management Blog

  • An Olympian Task

    The challenge of any police force at times of extraordinary requirements is how to balance a level of resources which are adequate for ordinary times. I recently came across an article which raised the increased threat of cultural crimes such as art theft during the London Olympics. It’s absolutely correct, there is an increased threat but not just for cultural crimes; across the board. Once this is accepted, the challenge is how to deal with it. Clearly there has to be a shift in policing strategy during such an acute period.


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  • Intelligence Analysts Relying More on Open Source Data

    As law enforcement analysts and investigating officers do their jobs, they are finding a treasure trove of useful information on the Web. In fact, there’s been a significant increase in the amount of open source data that is being used by law enforcement over the past 5 years. Internet search tools, social networking sites, and other Web 2.0 technology tools have matured in that time span and now investigators can learn a lot about a suspect and build a picture based on public information.



  • Intelligence Analysis Needs Priority

    Having visited and worked in many fusion centers across the nation, I often wonder how much attention is given to a basic question: Are we conducting analysis or not?

    The answer to this question varies widely, partly dependent on whether the fusion center’s goal is to provide strategic-intelligence analysis or rather serve as a tactical operational data-sharing operation.



  • Social Media, Real Time prevention of Terrorism.

    No matter what you think about the phrase “Web 2.0”, there is no doubt that the ability to self publish and utilise 3rd party platforms has radically changed the way individuals and organisations communicate.


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  • iPad – the Terrorists weapon of choice?

    There’s much, arguably justified, hype over the recent launch of Apple's new ipad, largely focussed on how it spells the death of the web-book, creates a new consumer category and the general excitement of any Apple launch.



  • Tackling Antisocial Behaviour

    Knowledge Led Policing is the way forward

    I previously wrote a short article on knowledge vs intelligence led policing not to argue semantics or accepted terminology, rather to make the points that effective policing is dependant on the ability to manipulate the totality of the corporate information. Decision-making needs to be conducted with the benefit of knowledge.



  • The Semantic Web: A dream of the past?

    Since first outlined by Tim Berners-Lee in 2001 the Semantic Web has been eagerly discussed and researched in academic circles and was widely expected to be the next generation of the Web. However, with the explosion of social networking and collaboration on the net the dream of the Semantic Web has taken a back seat.


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  • Centre of Excellence in Security and Cybercrime

    The new Scottish Centre of Excellence in Security and Cybercrime will play a critical role in supporting the evolution of public and private data sharing. Our decision to support this exciting proposal to establish the Centre in Scotland was not a difficult one.

    The vision for creating a world-leading centre focused on security and cybercrime was bold, backed by a plan to promote excellence in research, knowledge transfer, and teaching.



  • Government accepts Missing Persons Taskforce recommendations

    The Home Secretary has announced that the Government will accept in full the recommendations of the Missing Persons Taskforce established in December 2009 to examine how the police, councils and other agencies respond when people have been reported missing. http://bit.ly/aCuWdK
     



  • Exactly how safe is your Data?

    As the Information Commission Office’s deputy, David Smith, recently noted, (http://tinyurl.com/yervonr) a poor understanding of the Data Protection Act combined with a lack of communication and training on the subject of security remain key issues in recorded corporate data breaches.