Integrated Port Protection System (IPPS) for Anti-Terrorism - Detection, Indications, and Warnings

This proposal addresses the Information Systems technology area for Anti-Terrorism - Technologies for Asymmetric Naval Warfare: Subtopic 1. Detection, Indications, and Warnings. The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility ofproducing an innovative, integrated system that protects Navy forces and assets from terrorist attacks by: (1) monitoring heterogeneous sensors and surveillance systems to detect potential threats; (2) integrating data from those systems under a single Webuser interface; (3) utilizing decision support tools to assist in determining the nature, severity, and consequence of the threats; (4) autonomously triggering warnings to Naval forces and local first responders; and (5) providing distributed situationalawareness and interoperable communications for improved response. The benefits of this system include: earlier detection, improved security, enhanced decision support through the integration of previously unrelated surveillance input, more efficientresponse, unified command and control, and reduced consequences. This capability is required because of the inability to anticipate new and novel ways that today's terrorists will attack. There is no doubt that terrorists will be planning attacks thatcannot be easily detected by current stovepipe monitoring and alerting systems. Our proposed system will help prevent the devastating impacts of their weapons of mass destruction. Benefits:The benefits of providing an Integrated Port Protection System (IPPS) that combines monitoring, alerting, decision support, and interoperable communications are evident because it will help the Navy: (1) Reduce its vulnerability to terrorist attacks, (2)Enable proactive action to prevent terrorist acts before they occur, and (3) Manage consequences of terrorist attacks.Commercial Applications:The capabilities of the proposed system can be customized to support almost any military or civilian organization concerned with force and critical infrastructure protection. Likewise, since 9-11, local governments and commercial institutions have alsorecognized the need for integrated and interoperable security tools to ensure business continuity.