Session Descriptions

• Creating Decision Advantage with Open Source
  In this session, we will highlight how open source can best inform decision makers on topics vital to national security. Open source, as the collection source of first resort, is unique as an enabler of all other collection disciplines and often can provide answers that would be challenging to collect otherwise. In balancing precious collection resources, it is critical to understand how and where open source best meets collection priorities, especially in comparison to other collection disciplines.
  
  
• Combating Non-State Actors via Open Source
  In this session, we will examine how non-state actors use open source information to their advantage for denial and deception. How do foreign entities use open source information as a tool for misinformation? How can we track terrorists’ use of the Internet to better understand their methods and goals?
  
  
• Developing Open Source Early Warning Capabilities
  In this session, we will discuss new and emerging technologies, collection methodologies, and analytic tools to better exploit open sources. How can we best harness open source to understand developing threats before they threaten national security?
  
  
• DHS Information Session: Operationalizing Open Source for Homeland Security
  In this informational session, the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis will present Open Source tools and their practical application for a state, local and tribal homeland security audience.
  
  
• The Convergence of Social Networks and New Technologies
  In this session, we will discuss how open source technologies have changed the interconnected nature of our world, bringing together previously inaccessible knowledge, experiences, and people. This interconnectedness can, and is, being used to threaten national security. How do we better understand these technologies and how they can help and harm?
  
  
• Young Analysts Talk about the Value of Open Source
  This session will be presented by IC analysts, who will describe how OS uniquely benefits their analysis. The ODNI has invited junior analysts from the IC, from the fusion centers, and from the academic community to provide insight into the obstacles they face that may be eliminated through improved access to open source, into the achievements and break-throughs that are a direct result of open sources, and into the ways that open source access can improve their ability to provide superior analysis to decision makers.
  
  
• Beyond Counterintelligence in the New World of Open Source
  In the evolving Open Source environment of social networking, blogging, multimedia tools, and interactive virtual reality, what are the challenges to operating in this wide open world? Unbound by strictures of government classification, secrecy, or security, what are questions open source processional should be asking about validating data, preserving competitive advantage, and defending against malicious penetration, unauthorized use or release of data, or simple misinformation?
  
  
• The Best Open Sources
  In the interest of "Managing the Information Flood," this session will address use of the wealth of available open sources. In order to wade through all the possible sources and ensure we use the sources best suited to address information needs, we will discuss how to decide what constitutes best sources, how to rate sources according to IC priorities, and how to identify new and emerging sources. We will consider examples from medicine and public health, such as avian flu and other pandemics; and from defense, finance, and law.
  
  
• The Evolving Role of Open Source in Protecting the Homeland
  In this session, we will demonstrate the importance of open source in addressing homeland security intelligence and information needs, which are unique and require different resources and approaches. We will look at open source issues and successes in protecting the Homeland and ways in which open source can improve our ability to defend our nation.
  
  
• Open Source in All Source Analysis
  In this session, we will explore OS as the enabler of other collection disciplines. Panelists will discuss how OS is used by all-source analysts and how it supplements other intelligence disciplines such as SIGINT, HUMINT, GEOINT. How OS plays a significant role as the enabler of all collection efforts by supporting the work of the other "INTs." Open Source information is a critical part of "all-source," an equal and critical part of "putting the puzzle pieces together."
  
  
• Improving the Ability to Access Foreign Languages
  In this session, we will explore the vast wealth of native language information that resides in OS and how we can significantly improve the IC’s ability to gist foreign languages and improve machine translation.
  
  
• Open Source Growing International Partnerships
  In this session, we will focus on international open source efforts- how our partners utilize open sources, how we can integrate existing OS programs, and how we can learn from their experience to improve our OS exploitation.
  
  
• Making Use of Emerging Media Sources
  In this session, we will focus on new and innovative open sources of information. We will examine how to differentiate between well-sourced information that may be distilled into intelligence products and inaccurate or misleading facts and figures provided by unreliable sources.