Homeland Sercurity
INTRODUCTION
In July of 2002 the Office of Homeland Security released the National Strategy for Homeland Security with the purpose to mobilize and organize our Nation to secure the U.S. Homeland from terrorist attacks. The National Strategy has resulted from dialog and idea exchange with the American populace ranging from Members of Congress, legislators, law enforcement agencies, soldiers, and scientists to concerned citizens, farmers and victims and their families.

The strategic objectives defined in the National Strategy for Homeland Security were defined to:

In order to meet the above strategic objectives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified six critical mission areas:

The common thread that ties all of the above missions together is the conceptual model defined below:

The Advanced Monitoring System Initiative (AMSI) recognizes that a gap exists when trying to apply state-of-the-art sensor technology developed in the laboratory to end-user applications. We as a nation have done extremely well in sensor technology development (Data and Information front end of the conceptual model), on the other hand, our nation does extremely poorly in conversion of collected data to Knowledge and even less well in using this knowledge to build Trust and provide Solutions (i.e. the back end of the conceptual model).

The current state of scientific advancements in chemical, biological, radiological, and explosive agent sensors is promising. However, it is crucial to bridge the gap that currently exists. Integrated Environmental Services, Inc. (IESI) is working diligently to provide applications that provide the crucial missing back-end (Knowledge to Trust/Solution) for homeland security applications.

Homeland Security personnel are faced with collecting data and analyzing that data to prevent future terrorist events from occurring or conversely with analyzing data from unwanted events which have occurred. Data of many new types is being collected by investigators and the new and powerful tools offered by IESI taking investigations a quantum leap forward toward understanding and drawing valuable conclusions from this data.

Data, Information, Knowledge and Understanding
The Integrated HSIMS system provides a method to transition from raw data into basic information which results in the creation of new knowledge. This creates an understanding of a situation which previously to arcane and complex to comprehend. Integrated’s HSIMS tools collect, organize, and analyze data and information in a manner that demonstrates patterns and relationships in data which are used to create new information. Analysis of this information creates a knowledge base which leads to the ultimate goal of the investigation which is understanding.

As Homeland Security data is collected in larger and larger amounts, analysis and visualization tools like HSIMS are critical in the path ingoing from data to information and knowledge and to an understanding of how the information can improve security in this country. Integrated has a decade of experience defining inter relationships in environmental data and has the experience, expertise, and the software tools to do this in the Homeland Security arena.

What Services Are Provided by Integrated
Integrated Provides a key software we call Homeland Security Information Management System (HSIMS). This software application which can be installed to run from as a web based application or as an intranet application is a central repository for all types of information and data. IESI developed this software tool and can provide it to clients for use as required.

Integrated builds field data collection systems and operates them for clients as required. Physical data, chemical data, GPS data, photographic information, GIS information and other types are collected in the field and transmitted to the HSIMS.

IESI integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) into the HSIMS.

IESI provides program customization for projects to make the HSIMS compatible with existing systems or special project needs. We write our own code so we can provide in house customization and installation of the software as required.

We provide expertise in the chemistry, biology, earth sciences, health physics, explosives, toxicology, risk assessment, engineering, and computer science to assure the data collection systems are technically accurate and that the data is properly analyzed to draw the best possible conclusions.

We are experienced managers of government programs and can management costs and schedules of project effectively. We have managed large and complex projects successfully for a decade for the US government and for major Fortune 500 companies. We have the systems in place and the trained personnel to properly manage government projects.

Expertise in Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Data Collection and Management
Integrated has extensive experience and expertise in he collection, management and presentation of scientific data for security programs. Our staff of technical experts has worked with data collection throughout their careers and we presently have several projects where the data exceeds 1 million separate entries.

We have worked with every kind of chemical data. Our expertise includes explosives, chemical agents, asbestos, organics, metals, and other common pollutants. We have worked on radiological projects for US DOE for more than a decade and have extensive experience at collecting radiological data. Recently we are involved with the collection Technetium 99 and strontium 90 data from sensor systems. We have also collected biological samples of all kinds for years and our team has the expertise to sample for x, y, and z.

Our H-SIMS system is a leading product in data management and presentation. The system took over $3 million to develop and it is now being deployed at government and corporate sites. HSIMS is truly quantum advancement in the management and utilization of data. All Homeland Security Projects where data is generated should use the HSIMS system. It provides that all data is produced according to quality criteria from the start, all data is digitized into a Sequel or similar type data base, and that all data are fully accessible to the powerful tools in HSIMS which allow for visual presentation and analysis of the data. The HSIMS can be put on the internet and password protected or can be built by us and then installed onto any computer or network desired by the user.

Our system provides that data can be collected and saved in a manner that greatly increases the value f the final product. All field data and locations can now be collected on hand held computers, a GPS records the exact locations, digital photos also sent to the data base permanently record the conditions, data can be collected manually or by sensors, and the can be transmitted wireless or by modem directly to the HSIMS database. The quality of the data collected and the efficiency of the data management is truly a quantum leap above the previous methods.

These procedures and techniques perfected in the environmental industry now provide the Homeland Security industry an advanced and efficient tool to increase the value of project efforts. More reliable information, easier and quicker analysis tools, and better interpretation and definition of the data collected enhances the value of the project investment and assures that results will be produced the truly provide Homeland Security. The collection, management, and interpretation of data is a critical aspect in the ultimate success of the Homeland Security Initiatives and plays a major part in the security of America.

Collection, Management, and Visualization of Sensor Data
The Integrated HSIMS system also manages data from all types of field sensors. Physical, chemical, and biological data collected from field deployed sensor systems are transmitted via hard wired or wireless systems to the HSIMS. Data from sensors are permanently stored in the database the same as regular analytical samples. Integrated has a decade of experience in managing analytical data and this expertise is now applied to managing and presenting sensor data. Sensor data can then also be simultaneously shown real time on the HSIMS screens.

Sensor data entered into the HSIMS data base are then treated like all HSIMS data and they may be shown by the 3 dimensional visualization module, sent to the risk assessment models, sent to atmospheric or ground water models and or to special visualization tools prepared for specific projects. HSIMS can take past or legacy data, present analytical data, and real time sensor data into one data base and utilize all of the data in making clear and understandable presentations to decision makers.

The real value of the Integrated approach is that it takes the sensor data and displays it in a manner that users and decision makers can understand. Data only creates value when it is interpreted and utilized by decision makers. By showing the data in formats easily understandable to decision makers the value of the project is enhanced and as a result better and more timely decisions can be made.

Background and environmental sensor data can come from radiological sensors such as Technetium 99 or Strontium 90 sensors deployed in ground water wells, on surface stations, or on mobile sampling devices. Sensor data can come from conventional atmospheric data collection stations for temperature and wind direction or wind speed. Sensor data can come from chemical sensors for carbon monoxide or methane gas or any of the hundreds of chemical sensors. All of this data is converted to a database format in HSIMS and stored for retrieval, modeling, and visualization.

Sensor technology for Homeland Security is developing rapidly. Sensors for dangerous materials including trace explosives such as TNT and Comp B, radiological agents such as uranium and plutonium, chemical warfare agents such as mustard or nerve agent, and sensing for biologically toxic agents such as anthrax or botulism are all developing at an accelerated pace. Data generation from airports, subways, shipping terminals, public buildings and other places of security concern must be managed and presented to decision makers. Integrated has the tools to collect, store, manage, and present this data in a manner that will maximize the value of the investments made in collecting this data.

GIS Data
IESI is an ESRI business partner and is expert in the application and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We utilize ARCIMS in our software and we can put any type of visual files into the system for viewing by the user. The visual files can include standard photos, air photos, CAD files, shape files, maps of all types, other digital files such as tif, bmp, jpeg, etc. All of these are incorporated into HSIMS in layers so the relative position of map objects to data of interest can be quantitatively evaluated.

GPS DATA
IESI has advanced expertise in using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to identify the locations of objects in the field with pinpoint accuracy and to subsequently show the locations on the HSIMS program running on the web or other computer system. Data collected in the field can be shown on the application immediately.

IESI has developed a GPS pathline system where a field investigator can locate their position in the field continuously and so that a trace of every field position is continuously recorded for viewing upon return to the field office. This shows the definitive locations an investigator or team of investigators occupied during a field reconnaissance. For example it can be used to assure that a field team covers every square foot of an area being searched during an investigation. When an object of interest is found an exact location and photos of the item are entered and they will appear in the HSIMS.

IESI has incorporated there advanced GPS capabilities into all of the other functions of the HSIMS to create a truly unique system.