I have recently written about how disinformation hides digital espionage, and also why we need to redefine national security to address the threats presented in the digital age. I am glad to see I am not alone in these thoughts. Hostile actors have harnessed the interactive power of our digital age, and intelligence agencies in major democracies have taken note. So, how can they make this posture change happen?
There are many factors for consideration when making such a large policy revision. Those who take a holistic approach to national security and involve many areas of their society are most likely to succeed. As Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen farther than others, it is because I have stood on the shoulder of giants.” National security for successful nations follows this premise of see wide, see long, see well.
Australia National Security Embraces Digital Age Data
While the Defence Intelligence Agency in the United States is working on integrating AI into its technology stack via its POSTMAN project, digital data is also the focus of the Australian Geospatial Intelligence Organization (aka. AGO). 2024 sees us creating about 402.74 million terabytes of data daily. In this digital age, the AGO makes good sense as they insert digital data into the core of the Australian national security apparatus.
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Striking data generation numbers aside, it’s how you use your data that actually matters. Some social media platforms have showed that casting ethics aside can be good for their profit margin. At scale, this avarice laced position is all the justification bad-actors need to harness the power of their data for a fee.
Bad actor harnessing of digital data is just one application. The AGO’s mission for Australia is to use geospatial data to help protect their nation against adversary-force risk, critical infrastructure attacks, plus more. Through refining tactics, techniques and data quality for analysis, they enable Australia’s military operations through the provision of enhanced decision-making information.
Even though the AGO’s focus is on national defence and the Pacific theatre, GeoInt and geospatial intelligence should be critical aspects of all national security policies. Transnationally, it will take different forms, and will position at different levels of importance. Without it, the ability to see building threats in the physical world will decrease, and its correlation to digital events will also decline.
In terms of threats from hostile actors, both are now known to be linked, and together, powerfully destructive. Without geospatial intelligence, making meaningful connections in datasets is very difficult at best. Science has harnessed geospatial intelligence, as have tech companies at scale. It has now become a must-have for governments.
Digital Age Data Opens New National Security Frontiers
A holistic approach to geospatial intelligence crosses industries and can also reach additional levels of detail. Using AI in an analytic workflow can make new connections, previously unseen. If managed properly, can inform national security policymakers with new and meaningful insights.
If a country like Australia chooses trusted partners carefully, they can enter deep data analysis agreements, such as POSTMAN. When all partners taking part, recognise specific national security threats in the digital age, then their data can enrich each other to the benefit of all.
This goodwill not only breeds trust, it deepens it to a level where friends become family. In this digital world, where hostile state and non-state actors attack democracy through digital means, such relationships become an integral part of any response. Who wants to attack the little kid who has many brothers and sisters in a larger family? Together, we can all succeed through partnerships built on trust, mutual respect, and collaboration. After all, when push comes to shove, that’s what family is for.
About the Author
John is a versatile author known for his gripping fiction narratives in the thriller, action, and suspense genres. With a background as a journalist since 2016, and expertise in cloud technologies as an engineer; John brings a unique blend of storytelling prowess and technical acumen to his work.
