New software tool most effective to date for investigating terrorist networks. Unfortunately it's still unable to determine if the hot girl next door really has to spend next 7 months washing hair. (chad)

Palantir Technologies has designed what many intelligence analysts say is the most effective tool to date to investigate terrorist networks. The software's main advance is a user-friendly search tool that can scan multiple data sources at once, something previous search tools couldn't do. That means an analyst who is following a tip about a planned terror attack, for example, can more quickly and easily unearth connections among suspects, money transfers, phone calls and previous attacks around the globe.

Palantir's software has helped root out terrorist financing networks, revealed new trends in roadside bomb attacks, and uncovered details of Syrian suicide bombing networks in Iraq, according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with the events. It has also foiled a Pakistani suicide bombing plot on Western targets and discovered a spy infiltration of an allied government. It is now being used by the Central Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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Technology like Palantir's is increasingly important to spies confronting an information explosion, where terrorists can hide communications in vast data streams on the Internet. Intelligence agencies are struggling to identify and monitor such information -- and quickly send relevant data to the analysts who need it. U.S. officials say the software is also crucial as the country steps up its offensive in difficult theaters like Afghanistan. There, Palantir's software is now being used to analyze constantly shifting tribal dynamics and distinguish potential allies from enemies, according to current and former counterterrorism officials familiar with the work.

"It's a new way of war fighting," says former Assistant Secretary of Defense Mary Beth Long. While there are many good systems, Ms. Long says, with Palantir's software "you can actually point to examples where it was pretty clear that lives were saved."

source

Pretty awesome I think, but then it would have to be given that the office has a bubble machine that comes on every time someone fixes a software bug.

If Microsoft installed bubble machines maybe Windows wouldn't have such a bad rap. (Of course if they really wanted to insure bug free hardware they would wire up the developers pleasure center and every time a bug went to resolved they would get an orgasm inducing love zap.) The White House might want to take a lesson here too. Install bubble machines in the offices that vet nominees and if they make it through the process without being found out as a Super Commie Truther like Van Jones the bubbles come on. If not maybe it could spit killer bees.

posted by xgenghisx at 06:01 PM

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