Finding Hidden Threats by Analyzing Unusual Behavior

187 Pages·2004·0.59 MB·English

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Out of the Ordinary
Finding Hidden Threats by
Analyzing Unusual Behavior
JOHN HOLLYWOOD, DIANE SNYDER,
KENNETH McKAY, JOHN BOON
Approved for public release, distribution unlimited
This research in the public interest was supported by RAND, using
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Out of the ordinary : finding hidden threats by analyzing unusual behavior /
John Hollywood ... [et al.].
p. cm.
“MG-126.”
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-8330-3520-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Criminal behavior, Prediction of—United States. 2. Crime forecasting—
United States. 3. Criminal methods—United States. 4. Terrorism—Forecasting. 5.
Terrorism—Psychological aspects. 6. Intelligence service—United States. 7.
National security—United States. I. Hollywood, John S., 1973– II. Rand
Corporation.
HV6080.O97 2004
363.32—dc22
2003023703
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Preface
This monograph presents a unique approach to “connecting the dots”
in intelligence—selecting and assembling disparate pieces of informa-
tion to produce a general understanding of a threat. Modeled after
key thought processes used by successful and proactive problem
solvers to identify potential threats, the schema described in this
document identifies out-of-the-ordinary, atypical behavior that is po-
tentially related to terror activity; seeks to understand the behavior by
putting it into context; generates and tests hypotheses about what the
atypical behavior might mean; and prioritizes the results, focusing
analysts’ attention on the most significant atypical findings. In addi-
tion to discussing the schema, this document describes a supporting
conceptual architecture that dynamically tailors the analysis in re-
sponse to discoveries about the observed behavior and presents spe-
cific techniques for identifying and analyzing out-of-the-ordinary in-
formation.
We believe the monograph would be of greatest interest to peo-
ple in the homeland security community who are interested in con-
necting the dots across disparate analysis groups and databases to
detect and prevent terror attacks. However, it should also interest
anyone who needs to monitor large and disparate data streams look-
ing for uncertain and unclear indicators that, taken together, repre-
sent potential risks. Thus, we can see the schema and architecture
described in this paper having an application in computing security
(which involves recognizing indicators of an impending cyber attack)
iii
iv Out of the Ordinary
or in public health (which involves recognizing indicators of an im-
pending disease outbreak), for example.
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tinuing program of self-sponsored independent research. Support for
such research is provided, in part, by donors and by the independent
research and development provisions of RAND’s contracts for the
operation of its U.S. Department of Defense federally funded re-
search and development centers. This research was overseen by the
RAND National Security Research Division (NSRD). NSRD con-
ducts research and analysis for the Office of the Secretary of Defense,
the Joint Staff, the Unified Commands, the defense agencies, the De-
partment of the Navy, the U.S. intelligence community, allied for-
eign governments, and foundations.
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v

Contents
Preface............................................... iii
The RAND Corporation Quality Assurance Process................v
Figures .............................................. xi
Tables.............................................. xiii
Summary.............................................xv
Acknowledgments..................................... xxvii
Acronyms ...........................................xxix
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction ...........................................1
Prologue: Something Bad Happened on November 9th .............1
The Problem of Connecting the Dots in Intelligence ...............3
Cognitive Processes for Connecting the Dots.....................6
A Solution for Connecting the Dots—The Atypical Signal Analysis
and Processing Schema ...............................12
Key Attributes of ASAP.................................16
Near-Term Implementation of ASAP.......................18
An Evolutionary Path for ASAP...........................23
Summary of the Schema ................................23
Outline of the Monograph.................................24
CHAPTER TWO
Data Analyzed in the ASAP Schema .........................27
Types of Data .........................................27
Sources of Data ........................................29
vii
viii Out of the Ordinary
Intelligence Networks..................................29
Information Reported as Out of the Ordinary.................30
Information on Critical Industries .........................30
Open-Source Information...............................31
Commercial Databases .................................32
Partitioning Intelligence and Domestic Investigative Data.........32
CHAPTER THREE
The Atypical Signal Analysis and Processing Architecture..........35
The Scope of an ASAP System..............................35
Levels of Analysis in the ASAP Architecture.....................37
Major Functional Components Within the Architecture............39
Data Interception, Storage, and Distribution..................39
Finding Dots........................................40
Linking Dots..........................................43
Generating and Testing Hypotheses..........................44
Control of the ASAP Architecture ...........................48
Principles and Structures of Control........................48
Control at the Operations Level...........................53
Control at the Tactical Level .............................57
Learning and Adaptation................................58
Roles of Human Analysts and Automated Agents.................62
CHAPTER FOUR
Finding the Dots .......................................65
Finding Dots with Rules..................................65
Representing Context ....................................67
Dimensions of Context...................................68
Times, Events, and Behavioral Life Cycles....................68
Structures of Tactical Behavior............................69
Structures of Strategic and Organizational Behavior .............71
Structures of the Status Quo .............................71
Structures That Disrupt: Dot Noise and Intentional Denial and
Deception ........................................72
High-Dimensionality Detection Agents .......................75