ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HOMELAND SECURITY

Patrick Hathaway

CS572 – Advanced Artificial Intelligence

BACKGROUND

• Since the events of September 11th, 2001, preventing terrorism has been a top issue in the US and the world.

• Homeland security has focused on three objectives– Prevent Future Terrorist Attacks– Reduce National Vulnerability– Minimize Damage and Recovery from Attacks

APPROACH

• The solutions to these problems are multi-faceted.

• Researchers from several fields have come together to develop technologies and programs. Research fields include:– Natural, Computational and Social Science– Engineering– Medicine

CRITICAL MISSION AREAS

• In a report written by the US Department of Homeland Security, the DHS identified six areas where AI can be used to accomplish objectives.– Intelligence and Warning– Border and Transportation Security– Domestic Counterterrorism– Critical Infrastructure and Assets– Defending Against Catastrophic Terrorism– Emergency Preparedness and Responses

INTELLIGENCE AND WARNING

• Terrorism depends on an element of surprise during an attack.– Terrorist activities are not random.

• Analyzing communication and activity through the use of AI could make it possible to detect and prevent attacks.

BORDER AND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY

• Foreign terrorists must enter a country by through land, air or sea.

• Personally Identifiable Information is collected at these locations, including:– Identification– Images– Fingerprints

DOMESTIC COUNTERTERRORISM

• Most terrorists that commit the large scale attacks are also involved in smaller local crime.

• Local law enforcement agencies can contribute to homeland security by building relationships and contributing data on the national level.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEY ASSETS• Roads, bridges, water supplies and many

other service systems are vulnerable targets for terrorist attacks.

• Virtual infrastructures are also vulnerable to intrusions and other threats.

DEFENDING AGAINST CATASTROPHIC TERRORISM

• More organized terrorist organizations are capable of using more advanced weaponry or commandeering larger vehicles.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

• Not all terrorist attacks can be identified and thwarted before they happen.

• In the event an attack does take place, AI can help to design and optimize response plans, ensuring that the consequences of the attack are minimized.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO

ABOUT IT?

FACIAL RECOGNITION

• In large groups of people, it is impossible for a human to identify every face in the crowd.

• Facial recognition software can be used in high security places (airports, subways, bus terminals, ect..) to help security identify potentially dangerous people from entering or boarding.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

• Going after a terrorist group in their native environment can be dangerous. The enemy knows the terrain better, and may have a relationship with the local population.

• Autonomous vehicles can be used to identify targets and eliminate threats without putting our troops or civilians at risk.

DATA ANALYSIS

• Computers are capable of analyzing data much faster than a human. And given the proper set of parameters, computers can detect patterns in behavior and identify abnormalities.