TrapWire
Trapwire is a counter-terrorism technology company that produces a homonymous predictive software system designed to find patterns indicative of terrorism attacks.
The company has been named in recent Wikileaks releases as the source of software that facilitates intelligence-gathering on U.S. and global citizens, using surveillance technology, incident reports from citizens, and data correlation for local police and law enforcement agencies.
Details about the program emerged as emails from intelligence company Strafor had been hacked at the end of 2011. According to a report of Russia Today,[1] a network of surveillance cameras is installed "in most major American cities at selected high value targets (HVTs) and has appeared abroad as well." A software analyzes the images to detect "suspicious" behavior. The program is reported to be a joint effort of Stratfor and Abraxas Corp (VA). The report also refers to a 2006 article, in which then Abraxas Vice President R. Daniel Botsch outlined Trapwire's capabilities:[2]
Any patterns detected – links among individuals, vehicles or activities – will be reported back to each affected facility. This information can also be shared with law enforcement organizations, enabling them to begin investigations into the suspected surveillance cell.
System Description
Trapwire is registered as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In the submitted document,[3] the system is described in detail. The assumption is that terrorists are vulnerable due to their need to conduct pre-attack surveillance, "such as photographing, measuring and signaling". Such suspicious activities, as detected in imagery from pan-tilt-zoom cameras or human reports, are entered into a database, using a "10-characteristic description of individuals" or vehicle information. The data is correlated across the network, claiming a "network effect" of increased security due to this correlation. The result is a TrapWire Threat Meter (TIM) level which may be monitored by security personnel. The system distinguishes threat and vulnerability information, the latter of which is not shared through the network.
Apart from providing and maintaining the hard- and software, Abraxas offers additional services such as training exercises, and analyzing data on behalf of clients. The rule engine driving the software analysis can be updated on existing systems.
External links
- Company website
- Summary of Wikileaks releases
References
- ^ "Stratfor emails reveal secret, widespread TrapWire surveillance system". RT.com. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ R. Daniel Botsch and Michael T. Maness (November/December 2006). "Trapwire: Preventing Terrorism" (PDF). Crime & Justice International. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Abraxas Corporation (26 September 2006). "TrapWire™ Pre-Attack Terrorist Detection System For Protecting Critical Infrastructure". Retrieved 12 August 2012.