Defence and National Security

Tentative Structure

0930-1130 hrs

Geo-Intelligence Supporting Counterterrorism Mission

1130-1230 hrs

Networking Tea/Coffee Break & Visit to Exhibition

1230-1330 hrs

Networking Lunch

1330-1530 hrs

Advancing Situational Awareness for Border Security

1530-1600 hrs

Networking Tea/Coffee Break

1600-1730 hrs

Panel Discussion: Artificial Intelligence Transforming Defence & Security Operations

The changing nature of war, from conventional armed conflict between states, to modern war of terrorism and civil conflicts, calls for modernisation of military technologies and security reform globally. Today, nations are fighting against guerrilla and insurgency tactics, hi-tech weaponry and 'virtual' warfare, making intelligence of preventing and predicting such movements just as essential as on-the-ground combat operations.

Geospatial tools offer the capability of monitoring, predicting and countering threats, while helping to strategise and support field operations. The use of big data, advanced geospatial analytics software and sophisticated imaging technologies from (very) high-resolution remote sensing satellites, UAVs and other sensors enables seamless flow of information between intelligence and law enforcements agencies in pre-, real-time and post-combat operations.

Real-time views and insight of impacted regions is key to improving emergency response times, especially in vulnerable areas such as a country's border. Considering critical situations can occur at any time, situational awareness has never been more important. Geospatial data is invaluable to the border security operations, to deliver accurate situational awareness information, enabling quick and secure decision-making, while mitigating risks, and increase national security.

Geospatial World Forum 2017 shall be hosting a seminar on Defence & National Security, focusing on how geospatial intelligence can support the fight against emerging security situations across the globe. Discussions will revolve around critical applications of counterterrorism and border security. An exclusive panel discussion on the adoption of artificial intelligence in military and law enforcement operations shall close the full-day programme.

Session I: Geo-Intelligence Supporting Counterterrorism Mission

The session will highlight integration of geospatial intelligence capabilities in counterterrorism and special military operations, as well as in supporting mission-critical national security efforts. With the ever-evolving terrorism threats across the globe, defence and national security actors will need to step up their technological adoption and application. Latest technologies, alongside some success stories in the monitoring, preparedness, response and mitigation against terrorism shall be presented and discussed.

Session II: Advancing Situational Awareness for Border Security

This session will discuss the importance of improving situational awareness in land, sea and air borders, by enhancing surveillance and detection strategies, and effectively utilising sensors information. Speakers shall present the latest technological developments in border security, as well as geospatial case studies in the fight against illegal immigration, humans and drugs trafficking, piracy, and other cross-border threats.

Panel Discussion: Artificial Intelligence Transforming Defence & Security Operations

Advances in sensors, wireless networks, and unmanned aerial vehicles have resulted in a flood of new data for military purposes. As situational awareness and predictive analytics begin to drive the edge of special operations, defense and security forces are facing a challenge in allocating resources and time to analyse these data. Especially considering the success or failure of special operations depend on their ability to collect, process, and exploit data at the speed of crisis; technology will need to bridge the gap.

Artificial intelligence's deep learning allows software to learn to discriminate useful intelligence from raw, unstructured data, processed from where the data is, and produced analysis results in a matter of minutes. In the traditional way, gigabytes of imagery and elevation data will need to be downloaded and processed on a high-end machine, ran through expensive software, consuming four to eight hours of critical time.

With increasing globalisation and threats of terrorism raising tensions across the globe, investing in high-end technologies is becoming inevitable. The panel will discuss sustainable ways for defence and security forces to start embracing artificial intelligence, what are the strategies to counterbalance a shrinking fighting force, and how big data, cloud technology, mobility and infrastructure enhancements can transform the overall forces operations.

Target Audience

  • Border Controls
  • Civil Defence Deparments
  • Consultants
  • Customs Officials
  • Defence Forces - Army, Navy, Air Force
  • Defence System Integrators
  • Disaster Management Authorities
  • Fire Services
  • Geospatial Technology Providers
  • Police Force