The Department of State Services (DSS) said it will deploy geospatial intelligence solutions to address national security challenges.
This was revealed by the Director General of the agency, Adeola Ajayi, on Monday.
Ajayi, represented by the Faculty Member, National Institute for Security Studies, Dr Patrick Eneji, said this at the training on Leadership Course in Data Mining and Geospatial Intelligence in Abuja.
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and Peace Building Development Consult (PBDC) organized the training hosted by the Defence Space Administration (DSA).
Ajayi said the DSS had maintained an operational growth to quickly reduce threats of espionage, embezzlement, direct and location analysis of threat domains, adding that it had also enhanced the future number of intelligence capabilities to drive a comprehensive regional picture on questions, groups, or subjects of security interest.
According to him, the Open Source Intelligence Department and other big data-driven sections of the service are also equipped with appropriate data mining tools that unravel complex trends, patterns, and correlations on security fractures.
The DSS boss said that the course was important in finding solutions to the myriad of security challenges that required the deployment of technology to proactively address them.
Ajayi said, “we live in a world driven by data, the ability to extract meaningful data for security and intelligence operations need not be over-emphasised.
“This is because it is a necessity, especially at strategic leadership level, where decisions have far-reaching implications.
“At this core, data mining is a process of discovering patterns, correlations, and insights with large data sets using computational techniques.
“I make bold to state that Nigeria is witnessing a modest integration of these technological innovations in different facets and nationalities amid limiting challenges of data quality.’’
He also said that harmonisation, funding, and lack of skilled professionals, among others, were also being addressed.
“I believe that this training will provide a platform for participants to address the challenges faced in effective deployment of geospatial technology and data mining for secure economic development,” the D-G added.
