WHAT IS ASAP?

The Asymmetric Strategy Analysis Program (ASAP) is a neo-symbiotic system created by the Intelligence Analysts at IRIS.

It combines many of the features and capabilities of the communication interception systems (such as Echelon) and data-mining programs (eg. Novel Intelligence from Massive Data (NIMD); Model-based Agent-guided Unexpected Inferences for a Novel Intelligence Test Environment (MAUI NITE); The Rapid Information Scanning Tool (TRIST); Knowledge Associates for Novel Intelligence (KANI)).

JOINING THE DOTS

ASAP also has its own unique and distinctive features that enable IRIS Intelligence Analysts to 'join the dots' (i.e. to make connections between items of information that are too small, too few, too far apart or too irregular to be detected by previous systems) in a 'noisy' environment.

In the information world, a noisy environment is one where there is a lot of information that is unimportant or irrelevant. The 'noise' hides the information and patterns that are really important. As IRIS is in the business of enforcing world peace and security, it needs tools to filter out the noise and to tune in to the signals and messages that indicate threats to global stability.

ASYMMETRIC STRATEGIES

Based on the patterns that ASAP identifies and isolates from its vast intelligence network and database, ASAP then provides an analysis of the probable 'asymmetric strategies' that may be evolving.

An asymmetric strategy is one in which a smaller, weaker party uses certain features, properties, characteristics (such as terrain, information overload, beliefs, assumptions, time, complacency) to gain an advantage over a more powerful opponent. Asymmetric strategies have been dramatically illustrated in the various terrorist campaigns since 9/11.

ASAP provides a counter-measure to these asymmetric threats by providing different scenarios and probable outcomes. These forecasts enable IRIS to plan operations to eliminate the threats before they occur. Such operations are not necessarily military, but may involve diplomatic discussions, political sanctions or criminal investigations and proceedings.

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

ASAP does not make decisions automatically and independently on courses of action to be taken, but works in a 'symbiotic' relationship with the intelligence analysts at IRIS to enhance the decision-making capabilities of the senior officers who are responsible for advising and acting on the threats identified by IRIS. ms, in particular the use of ASAP.

Find out more about ASAP's role in making the world a safer place by clicking here.