THE HOMELAND SECURITY MEGA-SITE

    Homeland security is a large and complex enterprise which consists of several public sector and private sector activities. Although largely a government function, the civilian component (homeland security) includes many volunteers, and the military component (homeland defense) is its own combatant command.  Homeland security is constantly growing, undergoing change, innovation, and relentless evolution.  Hundreds of thousands of people work in this field, and even if their job description doesn't say "homeland security" they work in this field nonetheless.  It is first and foremost, a security field, a national security field in particular, and a new paradigm in that area of social policy, with "security" conceived of in scalable terms (covering small things as well as big things).  At its heart is the discipline known as intelligence studies, with "intelligence" consisting of both foreign and domestic sources, all for the purpose of keeping one step ahead of the cleverest enemies. In this regard, it shares a focus on the types of offenders usually studied in advanced criminal justice and criminology, like terrorists, political criminals, gangsters, white collar criminals, mass murderers, and serial killers. The field is heavily technology-driven, with all sorts of new devices, gadgets, detectors, and equipment coming out every year.  This emphasis upon equipment is something the field shares with emergency management, as resources are strategically brought to bear on the protection of critical assets from emergencies, disasters, and catastrophes.  It can be said that the field of homeland security combines or integrates the disciplines known as emergency management and terrorism studies, since both strategic and tactical measures are taken to counter asymmetric and irregular threats (natural, man-made, or technological). Other areas from which homeland security draws from include law (especially constitutional and international), policy studies, risk analysis, business continuity, and organizational management.

    There have been no theories developed in homeland security yet.  Any theory, or a grand theory, would provide a conceptual shell around which better research and policymaking could take place.  Theory, whether macro or micro, helps cohere understanding of phenomena by observing similarities in behavior, organization, and change. Various ideas exist over different central concepts which might provide some steps toward theory development -- prevention -- prediction -- complexity --  crisis/crime reduction.  Certainly, theories can be borrowed from the fields of crime reduction, but homeland security theories should probably be a bit more original.  A good argument could be made for the concept of "Black Swan" being the central concept.  This refers to an event with the following three attributes: one, it lies outside the realm of regular expectations, because nothing in the past can convincingly point to its possibility; two, it carries an extreme impact; and three, in spite of its outlier status, human nature makes us concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it (retrospectively) explainable and predictable.  All in all, there is probably nothing more challenging (and exciting) about working in a field which can be characterized as all about expecting the unexpected.

    Preparation for homeland security careers is best accomplished via completion of a recognized program of higher education.  One can look up such programs with HS Today's Education Directory.  A list of the most well-known programs is as follows:

HOMELAND SECURITY BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

American Intercontinental University

American Public University

Austin Peay State University

Capella University

Central Pennsylvania College

Colorado Technical University

Corinthian Colleges

Drexel University

East Carolina University

Eastern Kentucky University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Empire State College Center

Excelsior University

Grantham University

Herzing College

Indian River State College

Jacksonville State University

Louisiana State University

Mountain State University

National University

Northeastern State University

Ohio State University

Savannah State University

Southwestern College

SUNY: Maritime College

Thomas Edison State College

Tiffin University

Tulane University

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

University of Central Florida

University of Maryland, University College

Vincennes University

Virginia Commonwealth University

HOMELAND SECURITY MASTER'S PROGRAMS

American Public University

Arkansas Tech University

Bellevue University

Capella University

Colorado Technical University

Drexel University

Eastern Kentucky University

Fairleigh Dickinson University

George Mason University

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Johns Hopkins University

Long Island University

Missouri State University

National University

Northcentral University

Penn State University-Online

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

Saint Louis University

San Diego State University

Southwestern College

Tulane University

University of Central Florida

University of Connecticut

University of Denver

University of Maryland

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

University of New Haven

University of Southern California

University of Washington

Upper Iowa University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Walden University

Wilmington University

HOMELAND SECURITY DOCTORAL PROGRAMS

Capella University

Colorado Technical University

Northcentral University

Saint Louis University

Walden University

A FOCUS ON HOMELAND SECURITY TECHNOLOGY

    See In-Q-Tel for IT connections, GCN for industry coalitions, or read Definitions of Data Mining on the Web for a basic primer; note that for intelligence community issues, a good source is Intellipedia and for DoD, it's SIPRNet; for some good read on network security, see Free Network Security eBooks.

Information Sharing (for "integrated" databases)
Factiva - Dow Jones/Reuters competitive intelligence news search engine
FACTS - Factual Analysis Criminal Threat Solution - core of Seisint's Matrix software
Matrix (Seisint, now LexisNexis) - Multistate Antiterrorism Information Exchange 2001-05
MetaMatrix - specialists in the scaling of extremely large databases
Information Builders - offers the WebFOCUS product for intelligence collection
Informatica - a global metadata management firm
BEA Systems - standards leader in J2EE, XML, and web services
Juice Software - real-time Excel spreadsheeting
LocatePLUS - investigative searches
Nimble Technology - (Actuate Corp) - XML management dashboards
SRD - leading identity recognition/privacy provider
IBM, Unisys, Oracle - giant companies providing TSA, DHS, and DoD services
Link Analysis (for association/entity mapping)
i2 - leading visual investigative analysis product used by FBI and police
Inxight Time Wall - information visualization 3-D software
NetMap Analytics - state of the art fraud detection tools
Orion Scientific Systems - research, analysis, and software development firm
VisualLink (Connetica software) - for SCADA and remote sensor monitoring
Spotfire - interactive 3-D graphic visualization of large datasets
Knowledge Management (for content dissemination)
Appian - software than runs most military procurement systems
Attensity - trend and exception analysis software
Branson - customized feeders for infomation dissemination
Convera - leading retrievalware text miner and taxonomy developer
Documentum - leading online help content platform provider
Hyperwave - leading provider of e-learning platforms [academic users group]
Intelliseek - cutting edge search and discovery tools for actionable intelligence
Open Text - sophisticated collaboration tools for teams and organizations
Stratify - automated categorization of Internet content thru text mining
Tacit - automated discovery of workgroup collaboration opportunities
Verity - leading intellectual property and personalization software
Zaplet - collaborative management software
Text Mining (for content categorization)
Autonomy Systems - global leader of intelligent XML products
Clairvoyance - automated intelligence analysis of human languages
ClearForest - intelligent tagging platform that finds buried "nuggets" of info
Copernic and Atomz - two search engine agents (this site uses Atomz)  
DolphinSearch - a semantic network trawler and search agent
Kofax - content capture, scanning, and management
MetaCarta - a geographic context-based search engine agent
Mohomine - automated text extraction and classifier
PiXlogic - visual search engine for graphic images
Data Mining (for knowledge categorization)
ANGOSS - advanced webminer with real-time analysis tools
Endeca - customizable, guided navigation search tools
Magnify - speedy webminer with statistical tools
MegaPuter - flexible webminer with choice of analytical algorithms [academic users]
Mitopia - data fusion and analysis platform
Quadstone - programmable customer/client analysis tools
SAS - well-known NC company with statistical products and customized analysis tools
SPSS - well-known Chicago company with statistical prediction tools
Teradata (NCR corp) - well-known data warehousing and data analysis company
InferX - friendly McLean, VA distributed data mining provider

POLICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

    The best links are probably SEARCH and the IACP Technology Clearinghouse but note there is a whole industry devoted to this subject, with magazines like Law Enforcement Technology, Government Technology, and In the Line of Duty; and the OJP Information Technology site as well as NLECTC, OLETC, and LETN are good sources.  Also, you may want to visit Law Enforcement Product News, Gall's Catalog, or Streicher's.

Public Safety Software Suites
	ChoicePoint - identification and information bridger
	Civica Software - CMS and real-time information sharing
	CrimeCog Technologies - RMS and jail management
	Crystal Visions Technology - integrated laptop/handheld systems, voice security
	Pen-Link Ltd. (402-421-8857) - crime analysis, investigative, trial management software
	DesignWare - crime analysis, accident, training software
	EDP Software - case management, tracking, employee scheduling
	Emergitech (614-866-6712) - CAD/RMS, pivot table spreadsheets, training
	GEAC Public Safety - CAD/RMS, crime analysis, training software
	Gould Publications - RMS, books, disks, crime analysis, sketching, statute codes
	HTE - CAD/RMS, crime analysis, sketching, training software
	i2 (888-546-5242) - crime analysis, training, intelligence software, UK site
	Kara Company - accident, investigative, training software
	Keystone Info Systems - CAD/RMS, analysis, training, narcotics intelligence tracking
	LexisNexis - news, law, and records retrieval tool, Criminal Background Checks
	New Technologies - crime analysis, investigative, training, education
	New World Systems - CAD/RMS, corrections, mobile, finance
	Pacific Software (503-585-7022) - RMS, training software
	Presynct Technologies (1-866-PRESYNCT) - RIS, criminal analysis software
	Publisafe - CAD/RMS, mobile, jail, and other
	Synergistic Systems - CAD/RMS
	Spillman Technologies - CAD/RMS
	Senet Corp. - RMS
	Quetel Corp. - RMS, probation and parole software
	PSSI - CAD/RMS
	Printrak International - CAD/RMS, AFIS digital capture, DBASE, hardware
	Memex (703-620-3101) - CAD/RMS
	Megg - CAD/RMS aka CRISNET
	InTime Solutions - RMS, scheduling software
	Intergraph Public Safety - CAD/RMS, crime analysis, custom CAD
	Indico (800-692-5963) - CAD/RMS, crime analysis software
	Enforcer Technology - CAD/RMS
	Data 911 - CAD/RMS
	CTW Research (425-882-3118) - RMS, analysis, gang tracking
	Cerulean Technology (pronounced sir real e un) - CAD/RMS, analysis, mobile
	Cardinal Tracking - CAD/RMS
	CACI - RMS, false alarm tracking
	Viking Technology - CAD/RMS, field reporting, mobile
	Visionair - CAD/RMS, mobile
	XAware - XML integration

Miscellaneous Police Technology Links
	Alpha Group Crime and Intelligence Analysis Training
	ARJIS Sex offender, terrorist, and suspect mapping registry in San Diego area
	AutoTrackXP Unique search logic records sorter for law enforcement
	CISCO-PS Windows-based police and court software, records, tracking
	Code 3 Software Computer Aided Dispatch, records, and imaging
	Computerized Dispatch Examples of RealTime Web-based dispatch
	ConceptDraw Drawing and diagramming software
	Crimeline Fraud training CDs and videos for law enforcement
	Doug's skidmark analysis Program available free for download
	FACES Composite program from America's Most Wanted, free download
	FishNet Security Firewall services for public service networks
	False Alarm Reduction System Accounting and Management software
	ForensicPress.com Stuff for fingerprint training, mostly
	F.R.E.D. Computer forensics evidence collection software
	Guardian Detective Agency Carolina-based digital surveillance equipment
	Harlequin Software Makers of Watson, a powerful intelligence analysis app
	Harris Corporation Digital imaging and relational databasing solutions
	IBM All kinds of stuff available from the Big Blue
	Informant Allows different department databases to speak to one another
	IO Solutions Psychological Assessments & written exams for LEO positions
	Ira Wilsker's Help Page Helpful pointers and tips for LEOs
	Language Analysis Systems Parses the variants of ethnic (Arabic, Chinese) names
	Manifold.net GIS, mapping, and other low-cost software
	Meggitt Defense Systems Common training provider of FATS simulators
	Microsoft Justice Industry page For MICROSOFT
	Mitretek, Inc. An Institute for CJ technology who do consulting
	Netstorm Technologies Case, intelligence, mugshot shareware, and free downloads
	Polaroid The camera manufacturer's page for Law Enforcement
	Police Graphics Library From Bolling's Police Pages, a popular spot
	Schedule Soft Specializing in scheduling software for public service agencies
	Shift Calendar Generator Displays days on/days off for given start dates
	Shryock Communications Makers of surveillance equipment
	Sigma 4, Inc. Makers of Orion, an investigative case linkage tool
	Sirchie North Carolina firm specializing in fingerprint technology and more
	Smartdraw A great drawing program with a Crime Scene Library, NCWC discount click here
	Spectratek Homeland security and interoperability products
	Steve's accident reconstruction Program available free for download
	System Exchange NCIC testing & telecommunications products
	Total Solutions Makers of Mugshot/Lineup imaging software
	TruNorth Data Systems Information and intelligence systems software
	Victory Technologies Specialists in mobile EMS-type systems
	WDL Software Makers of Database Law Products & NYPD Patrol Guide