By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData CollectiveSmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    data Analytics instagram stories
    Data Analytics Helps Marketers Make the Most of Instagram Stories
    15 Min Read
    analyst,women,looking,at,kpi,data,on,computer,screen
    What to Know Before Recruiting an Analyst to Handle Company Data
    6 Min Read
    AI analytics
    AI-Based Analytics Are Changing the Future of Credit Cards
    6 Min Read
    data overload showing data analytics
    How Does Next-Gen SIEM Prevent Data Overload For Security Analysts?
    8 Min Read
    hire a marketing agency with a background in data analytics
    5 Reasons to Hire a Marketing Agency that Knows Data Analytics
    7 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Three Primary Analytics Lessons Learned from 9/11
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
SmartData CollectiveSmartData Collective
Aa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Data Management > Best Practices > Three Primary Analytics Lessons Learned from 9/11
AnalyticsBest PracticesCommentaryData MiningPrivacySecuritySentiment AnalyticsText Analytics

Three Primary Analytics Lessons Learned from 9/11

paulbarsch
Last updated: 2012/10/01 at 3:09 PM
paulbarsch
5 Min Read
SHARE

Regarding the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks on 9/11, it’s distressing to learn there were plenty of chances to stop them.  From lack of information sharing among US agencies, to terrorist database lookups, to airport security, each time there was a failed opportunity to potentially prevent 9/11.  And yet, even had authorities known what to look for, they were ultimately vulnerable to creative and inventive efforts to rain down destruction.

Regarding the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks on 9/11, it’s distressing to learn there were plenty of chances to stop them.  From lack of information sharing among US agencies, to terrorist database lookups, to airport security, each time there was a failed opportunity to potentially prevent 9/11.  And yet, even had authorities known what to look for, they were ultimately vulnerable to creative and inventive efforts to rain down destruction.

In James Bamford’s Shadow Factory exposé on the United States National Security Agency (NSA), he cites missed opportunities to catch the 9/11 terrorists.

First, because of information silos and lack of communication and information sharing between the NSA, CIA and FBI, some of the 9/11 attackers were known to be in the United States, but were unaccounted for. In fact, according to Bamford, two of the attackers were pulled over by Oklahoma Highway patrol for speeding—just days before the attack. However, because they were not on any known “watch” list, they were given a speeding ticket and sent onward.

More Read

data Analytics instagram stories

Data Analytics Helps Marketers Make the Most of Instagram Stories

How Hospital Security Breaches Devastate Local Communities
What to Know Before Recruiting an Analyst to Handle Company Data
Data Ethics: Safeguarding Privacy and Ensuring Responsible Data Practices
8 Crucial Tips to Help SMEs Guard Against Data Breaches

In addition, on 9/11 two terrorists were actually flagged by the computer-assisted passenger prescreening system (CAPPS) for purchasing one way tickets with cash. Once flagged, the process then was extra screening for their checked luggage in the search for explosives. Bamford writes; “Both Mihdhar and Moqed were flagged by CAPPS, but since Mihdhar had no checked luggage and Moqed wasn’t carrying any explosives, the procedures had no effect on their mission.”  With no explosives found, both luggage and potential terrorists were allowed to board the plane.

Finally, according to Bamford, the last line of defense on 9/11 was airport security screening. However, because TSA at the time had a policy that knives less than 4 inches were allowed on airplanes, it was no problem for terrorists to bring their pocket Leatherman’s onboard.

The intention of this column is not to disparage any government agency, nor delve into a discussion on which US leaders and officials knew what, and when. Instead, there are some lessons learned that can be applied across today’s enterprises for better analytics.

First, even if you know what insights you’re looking for; data silos may prevent discovery of the best answer. For most organizations, too many single-subject data marts and/or “spreadmarts” prevent an integrated view of the business. In this instance, the NSA infrastructure acted as a data “vacuum cleaner” capturing all kinds of voice, video, text and more on potential terrorists. However, FBI and CIA organizations also had their own data silos. There was no integrated view, and in the defense of each organization and their respective missions—and because of privacy concerns—this was purposeful.

Second, your organizational processes may prevent success in analytics. Bamford notes that the NSA was in many instances monitoring communications of Al Qaeda abroad. They even knew days before 9/11 that “something big” was going to happen. Unfortunately the NSA didn’t know what was going to happen, nor where. And because of existing laws, organizational silos and “not my business” behaviors, information was not shared across agencies that might have prevented the 9/11 attacks.  Some companies have a “dog eat dog” culture (think Liar’s Poker) that may not encourage information sharing. These companies ultimately will have less success with corporate analytics.

Finally, even when companies invest in the best analytical technologies and people, they can still be subjected to creative strategies to outwit their best efforts. For example, even with the NSA listening to terrorist conversations, mining of keywords in voice and data by sophisticated algorithms, and the best efforts to track terrorists across the globe, government agencies were unprepared for the use of airplanes as terrorist weapons. The inconceivable or in Donald Rumsfeld parlance, the “unknown, unknowns” often cannot be discovered, even with the best of people, processes and technologies.  

paulbarsch October 1, 2012
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
Share

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

data Analytics instagram stories
Data Analytics Helps Marketers Make the Most of Instagram Stories
Analytics
data breaches
How Hospital Security Breaches Devastate Local Communities
Policy and Governance
analyst,women,looking,at,kpi,data,on,computer,screen
What to Know Before Recruiting an Analyst to Handle Company Data
Analytics
data perspective
Tackling Bias in AI Translation: A Data Perspective
Big Data

Stay Connected

1.2k Followers Like
33.7k Followers Follow
222 Followers Pin

You Might also Like

data Analytics instagram stories
Analytics

Data Analytics Helps Marketers Make the Most of Instagram Stories

15 Min Read
data breaches
Policy and Governance

How Hospital Security Breaches Devastate Local Communities

7 Min Read
analyst,women,looking,at,kpi,data,on,computer,screen
Analytics

What to Know Before Recruiting an Analyst to Handle Company Data

6 Min Read
Data Ethics: Safeguarding Privacy and Ensuring Responsible Data Practices
Best PracticesBig DataData CollectionData ManagementPrivacy

Data Ethics: Safeguarding Privacy and Ensuring Responsible Data Practices

7 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

ai is improving the safety of cars
From Bolts to Bots: How AI Is Fortifying the Automotive Industry
Artificial Intelligence
ai in ecommerce
Artificial Intelligence for eCommerce: A Closer Look
Artificial Intelligence

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?