Today, technology and national security go hand in hand, and this is a radical departure from how things have been done in the past.  The rapid development of technology has altered the way the United States and other countries keep their citizens safe from harm.

From pinpointing human targets from thousands of miles away and attacking with an unmanned drone, to the ability of scientists to genetically engineer a pathogen with the potential to kill millions, technology has fundamentally changed the way countries wage war and defend themselves.

Staying ahead in the technology game is crucial to national security on a number of different levels, and this is one game the United States and its allies can ill afford to lose.

Technology Changes at the Speed of Light

It may be a bit of an exaggeration to say technology changes at the speed of light, but it can certainly be said changes happen almost daily.  National security professionals today must be able to understand the relationship of technology to security issues and be able to function in a number of technology domains in order to do their jobs in an effective manner.

And these are very critical jobs.  The United States military, as well as those from other developed countries are currently at a critical crossroads.  The time could very well be coming soon that the technologies that the US has used for decades to have a technology advantage such as stealth aircraft, long range sensors, and high tech communications networks are now being used more and more by the enemy.

This is coming at a time when the United States has fewer and fewer assets to bring to the fight.  The day may be coming soon when the military will come into battles and face being outnumbered.  While the military is still more than capable of handling the enemy in one on one engagements, those type of engagements in the near future may be more of an exception than the rule.  While quality matters, numbers also matter, and that is where the military may be lacking.

New Security Technology To Offset Possible Future Numbers Disadvantages

Knowing the numbers in the near future might not be in the favour of the US, the heads of the military in Washington DC are calling for more money to be invested in military technology.  And one of the things under consideration may make one think of the Star Wars series of movies, swarms of robotic systems that are effective and low cost.

Robotic forces are currently in the development stage that are designed to overwhelm enemies with large numbers, and attack with just as much coordination, speed, and intelligence as their manned counterparts.

This is only one example of how technology and national security go hand in hand, as technology is  also part of early detection systems that warn of an imminent attack, and other computer systems that coordinate air and land attacks.  Expect more advances in technology to be used on the battlefields of the future.

Future armed conflicts, or the technology needed to act as a deterrent and fight them, are always changing, and that requires the newest technology. Here are some of the newer technologies our armed forces will need in the coming years to continue to stay on top.

• Helicopters that can operate more quietly, and that are faster

Faster choppers that fly more quietly have long been a must-have item on many military commander’s wish list.  One only need look back to the recent downing in Afghanistan of a MH-47 Chinook helicopter that took the life of 30 US troops.

The mission that killed Osama bin Laden was also very nearly compromised by the noise made by the helicopters used on the mission, with some people in the area even making note on social media about the helicopters in the area.

• No-kill weapons

Some of the recent wars fought by Americans have been conflicts where it is almost impossible to tell the difference between friend and foe.  No-kill weapons would give troops the ability to better distinguish between the two without some of the legal and moral problems that come with shoot first and ask questions later tactics.

Weapons that can stop vehicles at long distances without being lethal are also a big need, as seen in the last few conflicts where enemies used car bombs.  But many civilians also lost their lives simply because of the language barrier.

Potential weapons in development that could fulfil this need are laser weapons designed to disorient, and direct energy weapons that cause crowds to flee without causing permanent damage.

• Technology That Can Lighten the Load Soldiers Carry

When you add up the weight of the weapons, communication devices, ammunition, and more, the load of soldiers can add up to well over 100 pounds.  This makes for a solider who will tire more quickly, cover less ground, and be a more accessible target for the enemy.

The military is counting on technology and a bit of logistics help to lighten the load on soldiers.  The Army of the United States is currently doing tests involving GPS-guided smart parachutes to drop gear and items such as food and water on the front lines.  The logic being the soldier will have to carry less of those items if they know those items will be at a certain point when they arrive.

Also in the development stage is a robotic pack mule.  This pack mule will have the ability to haul up to 400 pounds, and it can either be used to follow a ground unit, or it may be programmed to meet the troops at specific locations.

If the load on solders can be lightened, and they can be equipped with no-kill weapons, it is less likely some of the problems encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan will be repeated, with loss of civilian life resulting in the people the armed forces are there to help turning against the troops.

The iPad from Apple is truly one of the most innovative technology devices you will find on the market today.  The iPad is truly a computer in an incredibly small package, with 64-bit architecture for lightening fast computing, touch-screen capabilities, and a 10 hour life battery, as well as built-in Wi-Fi capability.

It can be used in a number of ways to communicate with people all around the world, and you can take your choice of text messages, emails, video chat, and other methods.  The iPad is an excellent way to maintain relationships with those many miles away while you are away at work, or deployed with the military.

Using the iPad for Video Calls

The iPad by itself cannot make video calls, but you can easily download software that will give it this capability in only a few minutes.  Facetime is an app you can download that will allow you to make what are basically cell phone calls with other iPad users.

If you are looking for a free app for communications, you cannot go wrong with Google Voice.  Google Voice allows for making and taking phone calls, and can send and receive SMS messages.

The most popular software for video chats, that works with those who are communicating with you from a PC, laptop, desktop, or a Mac, is Skype.  Skype can be downloaded for free, and it provides for one of the better video chat experiences you will find in freeware.

Using one of these apps, you can keep in touch with friends and family that are anywhere in the world, and the best part is that it is all free of charge on your end.

Email and Instant Messages with the iPad

The iPad is also very handy for reading and sending emails and instant messages.  If you are like the vast majority of people, you also have a laptop or desktop you use for emails and instant messages, and you will want to sync your iPad with them.  To sync email accounts on your Mac, or email accounts in Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007, Outlook 2003, or Outlook Express under Windows, connect your iPad to your computer.

Then, select the name of the account you want to sync, and put a check in the checkbox that reads “Sync Mail Accounts.” Now the account settings of your email account have been added to the Mail app of your iPad.  Do be aware that this does not transfer any of the messages to your iPad, as those will remain on your primary computer.  Messages you send and receive will now appear on both.

Pictures, Videos, and More To Keep You In Touch

Not only is your iPad ideal for sending emails and video chat, it has a powerful camera and video recorder that allows you to take still pictures, and record videos with sound that you can share via email, or by Skype with anyone in the world.

The iPad is the ideal tool to keep in touch with loved ones no matter where they are in the world.

All of the wars fought by man have one thing in common – deaths due to “friendly fire.”  This is something the military in all countries have tried to eliminate, but in the heat of battle, with smoke, noise, fear, and confusion, accidents happen.  But there is new technology that makes it less likely that the military will inflict casualties on their own troops.  As far as civilian deaths, collateral damage is something that is also part of warfare, and newer technology also makes it less likely this will happen.  But the facts are, it may only be able to lessen the number and not eliminate it entirely.

Other negligence involves caring for injured troops.  Luckily for soldiers, medical technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past couple of decades that greatly improves the odds of surviving a serious wound.  Some of the latest news has also involved medical negligence in the care of veterans, and hopefully technology can help solve this pervasive problem.

Drone Warfare Takes Soldiers Out of the Equation

Unmanned drones have been in the news a lot lately.  They take soldiers out of the equation as they are remotely operated to kill at long distances.  Newer drones have been developed that are more deadly, that fly faster, and carry a bigger payload of weapons to do more damage to the enemy.

But there is one thing drones cannot do, and that is completely distinguish between friend and foe.  Since technology has evolved, it is more likely that the people operating the drones know the location of all of their troops, but it is not completely foolproof.  Another thing drones cannot do is eliminate the possibility of collateral damage to civilians, and in fact, this has been one of the major criticisms of using them in warfare.

Military Safety Programs Designed to Reduce Negligence

Over the years safety programs in all branches of the military have been developed and refined to keep injuries, deaths, and other accidents to a minimum.  Strict guidelines for the use and handling of explosives, ammo, guns, and other weapons have kept accidents to a minimum in recent years.

Also in the news recently have been stories of neglect and lack of proper care in Veteran’s Administration hospitals and other care facilities.  Now that it has come to the attention of the public at large, you can be sure that more funds are being dispersed to help to attract better talent in doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals that can make care more professional, and do it in a more timely manner.

Medical technology also advances by leaps and bounds on an annual basis.  You can be sure these latest technology advances will be incorporated into VA hospitals, as well as medical personnel on the front lines in any future armed conflicts.

There may never come a time when negligence does not lead to injury and some deaths in the armed forces, but recent advances in technology have ensured that those incidents will be kept to a minimum.

Cyber security is now so important to people, government, and business that an entire month, October, has been designated as “Cyber Security Month.”  In this day and age, when so much of our lives are intertwined with the internet and computers, cyber security is needed to protect the integrity and confidentiality of everyone.

The Three Principles of Cyber Security

At the very core of cyber security are three principles, and these are availability, integrity, and confidentiality.  The principle of confidentiality provides that sensitive information must stay out of the hands of others, and only be shared with the intended users of the data.

Integrity means the data must be retained in its original state, and not compromised by outsiders.  Availability means this data must be there when people need it.  Different records need different levels of security.  Medical records for example are sensitive, and can harm a person if they fall into the wrong hands.  These records should only be available to you and the persons and organizations that the person has authorized to view them such as doctors, nurses, and insurance companies.

Cyber Security Threats Have Increased

Today, there are more threats to your online information than ever before, and these threats come in a variety of ways and means.  Here are some of the more common cyber threats individuals, businesses, and the government face on a daily basis.

• Malware

Malware comes in a wide variety of forms, from worms, Trojan horses, and more, and they are spread via email, infected web sites, instant messages, and malicious web sites.  Once infected, your information is at risk.

• Scareware

This is one of the newer forms of cyber threats.  This scam involves software that is downloaded to a victim’s computer that informs them they have committed a crime of some sort (a bogus claim of course) and that this situation can be resolved by buying software that will fix the problem.  The scareware often involves pop-ups that are annoying and affects the performance of the computer.

What Can Happen If Your Information Is Compromised

The things that can result from a breach of your information are numerous.  If your personal information is known to criminals, they can open credit accounts in your name and run up large bills that can ruin your credit and take you years to recover from.

A business that has its information compromised can face the same perils as individuals and more.  Competitive advantages can be lost, sensitive information about employees and customers including credit card numbers can be stolen, eroding public confidence in the company.  This can be the death knell for a company of any size.

With this in mind, if you ask the question of how important is cyber security?  There is nothing more important to a company or an individual than to keep sensitive information safe.  Cleaning up from a cyber attack can take years, and cost much, much more than preventing an attack in the first place.  This is why cyber security is now a billion dollar business, and its importance continues to grow, almost as fast as the number of threats out there in the cyber world.

With the advent of big data, and the storage requirements it calls for, the government of the United States and others are moving much of their storage to the cloud.  It is no secret that the government tends to lag behind private industries in making use of the latest technology, but with cloud computing, many government agencies are starting to see the light as to the benefits that can be had using the cloud.

Optimizing Performance and Service Delivery

With the emphasis on lowering the cost of government over the past several years, many government agencies have sought to optimize their business models, and the result of that has been the move toward more shared services.

The government is now discovering what the private sector has known for several years.  Cloud computing cuts costs with shared infrastructures and services.  The adaptation of cloud computing is also helping the government to be more business flexible, despite the fact that back-end silo systems are still in use.

The Government’s Private Cloud and Public Uses

The federal government however is not using the same cloud computing model that is used by some of your favourite internet retailers.  The government employs private cloud environments that have some of the same elasticity that is found in the public clouds, but they are infinitely more reliable in order to handle mission critical jobs and heavy workloads.

So just how much does the US government depend on cloud computing?  The budget for the last fiscal year included $1.7 billion for the private cloud used by the government, and just over $118 million for public cloud use.

And it is not just the federal government that is changing the way they do business in order to adapt to emerging technologies and deliver better and faster services.  State governments and even local governments are doing the same.

Governments on all levels are having to redefine their business model in order to deliver more and better services to the citizens they serve.  Now there is a US Federal Cloud Computing Strategy in place to speed up the rate of adoption of cloud services.

Crucial Government Services That Are Cloud-Based

Governments on all levels provide shared services for the citizens they serve.  Today, citizens can monitor their energy and water use to make sure they make the most out of their usage, and conserve as much as possible.  Now many citizens can access what the status of their government service requests, and even medical records are kept online now.

The cloud, both private and public is changing the way governments on all levels do business for the better, making them more agile and open to change, and also helping to reduce costs.  Expect to see more of this in the future, and more governments on all levels moving shared services and more to the cloud.

Big data is a relatively new concept in information technology.  It is very large sets of data that are analysed in the hope of revealing patterns, more specifically patterns related to human behaviour.  If this sounds complicated, it may help you to understand that much of this big data analysis is done to find out what people do on the internet.

The Enormity of the Task and the Tools That Can Be Used for Analysis

Today, with billions of internet users, and just as many machine to machine connections, data is growing faster than it can be analysed.  It takes more to put this data to use than the traditional information technology processing applications, so new ways are being developed by many companies to do a more effective job of this task.

Why is it so important to so many people?  The data has a wide variety of important uses to many different people and companies.  This data can be used to spot consumer trends, data that is crucial to businesses who want to stay ahead of the curve, and have the right products that consumers want at the right time.

Big data can also be used to prevent diseases, and right now scientists all over the world are using big data to combat influenza outbreaks and other diseases that have the potential to spread quickly.  Law enforcement officials use big data to combat crime.  The uses of big data are just now being realized, and more uses for this data are popping up on almost a daily basis.

The US Government and Big Data

Big data has certainly got the attention of the federal government in the United States.  In 2012, the Obama Administration made public the Big Data Research and Development Initiative.  This initiative spans six government departments and is composed of 84 different big data programs.

It also also widely reported that big data had a rather large role in the successful presidential campaign of Obama in 2012.  That being said, you can count on future candidates making use of big data in their campaigns.

The United States government is uniquely positioned to make use of big data since it is the owner of six of the largest supercomputers that exist today, and this data is used for a variety of applications, and is part of the effort to keep the country safe from cyber-terrorists, and more conventional terrorists in the wake of the 911 attacks in 2001.

The Power of Big Data Applications

Want to get a feel for how powerful some of these new applications are and what they can be used for?  Several years ago when the human genome was decoded, it took close to 10 years to do the job.  Now with big data and new applications and super computers, that same task can be done in less than one day.

With the promise of this kind of big power, expect large corporations and large governments to begin to harness the power of big data more and more.

The government on local, state, and federal levels are not drivers of new technology, in fact, they tend to lag behind the private sector in adapting them.  But there is one sector of the government on all levels that adapts new technology rather quickly – police departments.  Here are several new technology that they will be adapting in the future to do their jobs in a better and safer manner.

• Robotic cameras

When a situation is too dangerous for an officer, or one of their canines, a robotic camera is the answer to get the job done.   Very common now in state and federal agencies, as well as some of the larger city forces, the Recon Scout Throwback gives officer a distinct advantage when it is not possible to directly see a suspect.

They are also used for bomb detection, as they can be remotely driven under vehicles to look for suspicious packages and other potential combustibles.

• Gunshot detection systems (GDS)

A GDS helps police officers with what can be one of the toughest tasks when investigating a shooting – determining where the bullets came from.  This is a system that is in use in many high crime areas in larger cities.  It relies on electronic sensors placed in strategic places that pinpoint the source of gunfire very accurately.

This is the choice for neighborhoods where people may be reluctant to cooperate with police.  The data can be displayed on computers in police cars, and that helps them to respond more quickly to a crime scene.

New Technologies That Are Now Available in the Aerospace Field

The arm of the government charged with space exploration, NASA, also has new technology to better help them do their jobs.  The NASA Chamber A is a vacuum chamber that was developed to test the James Webb space telescope.  This chamber subjects objects or humans to conditions exactly as they are in deep space, while at the same time maintaining the conditions of a perfectly scrubbed clean room.

This chamber is expected to be used in many future applications, in order to ensure that satellites and other instruments launched into space can handle the rigors of deep space and still function as intended.

Everyone has heard of military drones these days, but the next generation of drones is just now being deployed.  The BAE Systems Taranis  drone can fly through the skies at 700 miles per hour, and can be used to fly unmanned combat missions over hostile areas.  This drone has the speed of many combat jets, and is capable of transcontinental flights.  It is also very useful for air-to-ground missions and can even be used in aerial combat.

The truth of the matter is the military is just in the beginning stages of developing uses for these high speed drones, and expect to see much more of it in the news in the next few years being deployed in dangerous regions of the world.

Information technology is essential to the everyday operation of our federal, state, and local governments.  Imagine how much manpower would be required to mail out social security checks without the power and speed of today’s computers.  Imagine how much time, effort, and manpower would be needed to process annual income tax returns.  And this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the other roles information technology plays in our government.

Information Technology in the Military

There is a very good reason the United States has the most powerful military force in the world, and that reason is we have the best technology.  Information technology allows the military to communicate quickly and effectively anywhere in the world.

It also allows information to be analysed and disseminated quickly.  Having cutting edge information technology also allows all branches of the military to design weapons and other tools of their trade in a more effective manner.  IT also allows the military to keep close tabs on what their enemies are doing 24/7.

Information Technology on the State Government Levels

In California as an example, as it is one of the largest and most populous states, information technology is one of the most important parts of the state’s infrastructure.  The state spends over 1 billion dollars annually on IT, and without it, many of the state’s services would not be feasible.

Some of the functions performed today by the state’s IT department include helping in the design of highway systems, regulation of traffic, and providing local, county, and state police officers with almost real time background checks and criminal history reports.  IT also provides employment for thousands of people in the state.

The role of information technology in storing and retrieving all kinds of records cannot be understated.  With the latest in storage techniques, records can be retrieved in a matter of seconds, edited, saved, and stored again almost instantly.  Having up to date records with all of the correct information can save millions of dollars annually.

Information Technology on the Local Government Levels

IT is just as important on the local level as it is the federal and state levels.  Information technology is used in capital planning, accounting, payroll, inventory management, and many more areas.  Today, most towns and cities have their own web sites where information is available on city services, and where residents and visitors should go to get help with specific needs.

In Summary

The role of IT in all governments cannot be discounted, as many of the services they offer simply would not be available without it.  IT today is an integral part of the government, and its role will continue to expand over time.  Information technology is what drives the daily operations on all levels of government, and if something happened to the IT infrastructure, those governments would come to a fast and grinding halt, unable to function on almost any level.  That is one of the reasons IT security today is such a large and important business.