In a recent Newsweek article, Philip Bobbitt, makes the case for regulations strengthening external oversight of data mining in the federal intelligence community. We say, “add analytics to that.” The New Rules of Engagement offers “Nine Imperatives for our Post-9/11 World,” where he points out flaws in the U.S.’s current approach to fighting terrorism. One way to combat these flaws – and subsequently fight terrorism – is to strengthen data mining and analytics with the federal government. Cited as a “valuable tool,” data mining can cull information and names from various sources, such as terrorist watch lists, airline reservations, immigration records and more. Add analytics on top of that data and it’s possible for patterns to emerge. These patterns could potentially point out possible terrorists, therefore aiding the government’s efforts to keep American citizens safe and secure.
One might assume Bobbitt is a technologist, making the case for data mining and analytics. In actuality, Bobbitt is the author of “Terror and Consent” and a professor of Law. So here’s a case of a lawyer advocating stronger regulations and access for data mining and analytics.
