DHS posts RFI for cyber and infrastructure advanced analytics

By Loren Blinde May 31, 2017

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a request for information for cyber and infrastructure advanced analytics and interactive data visualization services (HSHQDC-17-RFI- 000010). Responses are due by 10:00am EST on June 7.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis (OCIA) is working to be on the cutting edge of analysis of cyber and infrastructure security risk. OCIA provides analysis to homeland security decision makers at all levels on a range of issues, including the impacts of natural human-caused events on critical infrastructure, the nexus between cyber and physical infrastructure events and impacts, and the impacts of cyber events of Federal networks. In order to do so, OCIA must deliver analytic approaches and data visualizations that can be used by homeland security operators to understand homeland security risk.

OCIA works with multiple scientific and engineering stakeholders and performers, including other Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial government programs; the Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories; and private sector partners. OCIA works in an analytic cycle that can be thought of in four parts: 1) identifying and scoping a problem, 2) devising a technical approach to solving the problem, 3) analyzing the problem, and 4) communicating and visualizing the analysis of the problem. In order to support this cycle, OCIA requires a capability that can evolve its analytic tools; develop numerous data visualizations, mapping tools, and related software applications; and work through a research and development framework to initiate and pilot new tools.
OCIA requires an analytic capability for research, development, and analysis services to fulfill its mission. This capability will enable OCIA to provide deeper insights into cyber and infrastructure risk and effectively communicate those insights to decision makers. This capability should include:

The ability to leverage advanced analytic methods. This capability is meant to provide approaches beyond those that can be procured in commercial-off-the-shelf products. This includes approaches such as data/text mining, machine learning, pattern matching, forecasting, visualization, semantic analysis, sentiment analysis, network and cluster analysis, multivariate statistics, graph analysis, simulation, complex event processing, neural networks
Experience exploring complex problems. Understanding risks to cyber networks and infrastructure systems is inherently complex and requires innovation to perform successfully. Past experience approaching difficult problems and leveraging advanced tools and techniques to solve them is critical for this capability.
The ability to leverage technology to solve problems. Analyzing cyber and infrastructure risk at an advanced level requires the ability to leverage technology, including advanced hardware and software.
The ability to produce continuous comprehensible data visualizations on diverse topics that effectively provide a compelling narrative. OCIA produces dozens of analytic products per year, which require advanced visualizations to communicate information effectively. These interactive graphics, visualizations, and multimedia products help key stakeholders—including DHS and federal, state and local partners, and private sector partners—better understand the risks associated with such complex issues.
The ability to adopt advanced data techniques. OCIA already has access to most commercial-off-the-shelf analytic and visualization solutions. The capability must be able to supply interactive multimedia visualizations in the form of 1-dimensional, 2dimensional, 3-dimensional, temporal, multi-dimensional, hierarchical, geospatial, dashboards, and/or networks.
To perform these tasks effectively will require a number of related information technology competencies, including the ability to develop Websites, database management, geospatial analysis, graphic design, user experience and user interface design, 2-dimensional/3-dimensional animation, virtual reality, and augmented reality.