Comments for i2 Blog

Comment on Collaborating and Communicating is Key to Information Sharing Initiatives by Chris Holtom

Chris Holtom — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:35:44 +0000

All the sentiments expressed are very sound – they are also lessons that have been learned and singularly not embedded in the culture of collaborating organisations many, many times before. Years ago (1980-90) there were excuses for failing to share and collaborate: it was difficult to communicate and it only happened between colleagues in different agencies who knew, trusted and respected each other. Global databases were slow, hard to use and rarely populated with anything timely and relevant. These days communications technology and search engines makes collaboration very easy, but it does not remove the need to know, trust and respect the people on the end of that technology.

Fusion Centres should be small, agile and able to add value immediately to field operators. Analysts in fusion centres should have experience of field operations and be responsive to their needs – better still, they should be field men. Analysts cannot smell, hear and sense the “heat” of the moment, but they can provide relevant context for those with little time to make decisions. Large fusion centres cannot provide that kind of immediate tactical, relevant, timely and accurate focus despite (or perhaps because of) all the tools, feeds and collection systems they may have access to. Tactical fusion is best done by one or two people who, whilst physically removed from, are inside the minds of the field team and who can anticipate their information needs instinctively. The tools they use may well be complex, but the products for field operators must be simple, clear and unambiguous.

I think we have all the pieces these days but they are either assembled in the wrong order or they are made to be too big and too smart to be useful.

Comment on Understanding the Skill Sets that Make an Intelligence Analyst Successful by Robert

Robert — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:54:39 +0000

This sounds about right. I find because I’ve not done IC analysis specific to intelligence in the last decade, rather to IT systems, people think I can’t do GMI or all-source IC analysis; or they’re more concerned about manipulation of an IC application than getting someone who is an analyst. An analyst is an analyst. So this article is most logical. Reminds me of certifications – one can have tons of certifications, but not have a clue how to articulate whereas one can have no certifications and be much better than one who does. Similar IC analyst principle applied to over-glamorized IT certifications. =)

Comment on Understanding the Skill Sets that Make an Intelligence Analyst Successful by Robert

Robert — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:51:53 +0000

This sounds about right. I find because I’ve not done IC analysis specific to intelligence instead of to IT systems people think I can’t do GMI or all-source or they’re more concerned about manipulation of an application that getting someone who is an analyst. An analyst is an analyst. =)

Comment on Understanding the Skill Sets that Make an Intelligence Analyst Successful by Roy Stone

Roy Stone — Thu, 12 May 2011 16:16:46 +0000

While I have not read the report, taking the article at face value strikes me as saying, “if you’re a synthesizer, you will be a successful IA”.

Natural talent/gifts will only take an individual so far. All of us need teaching/mentoring to continue the upward climb in our respective professions. Passion and desire are difficult to quantify (and don’t forget – “must be a team player”). Lest we forget (some of) the words from the 9/11 Commission Report – “a failure of imagination.”

Comment on Cyber Threat Demands P3 with Real Impact by Skip Parish

Skip Parish — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:06:24 +0000

Threats in industry are covert and often not discovered, further many industry companies are not used to collective action in combating threats as competitors.

With distributive commerical systems industry companies are “linked” in a chain of supply and processing and thus an attack on one can effect all in the processing chain.

Government can be the mediation element for industry to move foward in a collective way, and in many cases government can not effect a solution with out them.

Thus a government effort is needed to promote, fix, and update measures of mitigation of threats in industry.

Comment on A Message from Bob Griffin, i2 CEO by Jon Higgins

Jon Higgins — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:34:17 +0000

No matter where despicable and cowardly acts like this occur, we all live with the same hopes and dreams of a better place for our children.

Although the swift application of justice will serve the community at large, I offer my most sincere condolences to those who have lost a loved one and pray for a full and speedy recovery for the injured.

Comment on A Message from Bob Griffin, i2 CEO by Steve Dalzell

Steve Dalzell — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 22:15:06 +0000

I would also like to express my condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this deplorable incident and my hope for the speedy recovery of those injured. Let us all hope that the timely administration of justice will go some way to easing the pain of all injured and bereaved.

Comment on Honoring our Veterans by Fran Troup

Fran Troup — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:37:49 +0000

Thank you for your message Bob, and for your service.

Each December I participate in the laying of the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. It is always a moving experience. If anyone would like to participate in this year’s event, I invite you to visit Wreaths Across America.