When
it comes to gathering information on the internet, the amount of data can be
overwhelming. It's important to learn how to navigate, search, and organize the
information to make the most of it. But, when it comes to data mining, there
can be concerns about personal rights and democratic freedoms.
In the past, there have been issues with
domestic spying and abuses of power, especially in the wake of 9/11 and the
Bush Administration. The National Security Administration (NSA) was engaged in
a massive domestic spying program and any hint of domestic spying or deep
diving into one's personal habits via the internet was met with negative
reactions.
But it's important to remember that the
goal of data mining is to uncover the truth. It can prevent truth-seekers from
being ignored or fired and it can also prevent policy makers from
cherry-picking and manipulating scientifically collected and analyzed
intelligence to suit their own agendas.
I remember reading former CIA analyst Susan Hasler’s book “A Novel of the CIA," and it made me think about how former President Trump belittled the CIA and NSA, and how he rendered these agencies to become his political pawns. It bothered me so much that I wrote the piece “How the Politicization of the CIA Places All Americans In Harm’s War”.
Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and the increase of data, the CIA, FBI and NSA have been using deep data mining as a crucial tool to gather information, mainly in the fight against terrorism and cybercrime. The agencies have been using machine learning and AI to analyze data from multiple sources, such as social media, to prevent terrorist attacks, track down criminals, and help in other investigations. However, the use of these techniques is still under scrutiny and oversight to ensure that civil liberties and privacy rights are protected.
One specific way the CIA uses data mining
is to analyze large amounts of data from various sources, such as social media,
to identify patterns and connections that can help in intelligence gathering
and investigations. This can include tracking the activities and associations
of suspected terrorists, identifying potential threats, and monitoring foreign
governments and organizations. The CIA also uses advanced technology such as
machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze data quickly and
efficiently, and it may also collaborate with other intelligence agencies and
organizations to share information and resources.
In the novel MISSION
OF VENGEANCE, a CIA mole planted inside the NSA named
"Stacey" uses deep data mining on her quantum computing to help CIA
operative Corey Pearson track down Russian spies. This is an example of how
data mining can be used in real-life situations to uncover the truth and help
in the fight against espionage.
There are three good sources to learn more
about the intelligence community's use of data mining. The CIA's website
(https://www.cia.gov/) is a great resource- they have a section dedicated to
"careers" that goes into how the agency uses technology and data
analysis in their work. The National Security Agency (NSA) website (https://www.nsa.gov/)
is another great resource to learn about data mining- check out their section
dedicated to the agency's mission, capabilities, and technology. The NSA site
also has a page on "careers" that highlights their use of data
analysis and technology.
Lastly, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is an independent think tank that has a lot of research and reports on data mining and other intelligence-related topics. You can find their publications on this website https://www.csis.org/topic/cyber and specifically on the page https://www.csis.org/topic/cyber/intelligence-community
Robert
Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO)
and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster
series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION
OF VENGEANCE.
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