Homeland Security and the Unchartered Territory of a New Year

With the advent of a new year, the new reality is that the threat of disaster looms over all of us whether from natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, etc., or the man-made adversities of military conflicts around the world and the threat of terrorism within our own borders. Cancelled airline flights, heightened security measures, and recurring news reports are daily reminders that we face the future with a new realization of our safety, the security of our loved ones, and the priority of our obligations and aspirations.

And yet, coupled with the burden of an anemic economy, which is showing signs of improving; the loss of high-tech and manufacturing jobs to overseas competitors; cities, counties, states, and feds suffering their worst budget deficits; there is cause for hope-even optimism. For as a society we have proven our ability to overcome destruction, hardship, and unfavorable odds- they have made us stronger, and renewed our resolve and commitment to all that we hold dear in our hearts-we keep pursuing our dreams!

Security Services

The increasing demand for security services within the United States is being significantly impacted by the war on terrorism and homeland defense. This presents unique market opportunities for services to support prevention, protection, and response that exist within the federal government, state/local government, and private enterprise. It is precisely the endeavor to prevent, avert, mitigate, and recover from disasters that has spawned a maelstrom of industries that have become intricately and inextricably intertwined in our economy and society. Industries such as insurance, construction, public safety, engineering, public works, and a myriad of government agencies have actually been borne out of our response to the threat of disaster. Two new agencies were spawned from the reaction to the new realities we face: The Department of Homeland Security and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA).

It is in consideration of the benefits the geotechnologies can bring to bear on the realm of Homeland Security, and the inauguration of the NGA with the signing of the FY2004 Defense Authorization Act on November 24, 2003, that our editorial focus for this issue is devoted to the NGA and Homeland Security. Daniel E. Vernon, Jr., Chief Engineer, Acquisition Engineering for NGA, provides an insider's perspective, on page 12, of how the NGA brings its geospatial intelligence capabilities to bear by providing situational awareness, vulnerability assessments, and disaster response and recovery analysis to its military and civil Homeland Security constituents. His article also highlights how NGA will support the Homeland Security and Defense missions by partnering with USGS and other federal government agencies to build an integrated database of imagery, elevation, and critical infrastructure data over the United States and its borders.

This issue of Earth Observation Magazine, as well as subsequent ones, will promote the understanding that geospatial information technologies are essential to the decision making capabilities and actions of emergency managers, planners, and responders. EOM advocates the urgency to establish a geospatial preparedness which is critical to Homeland Security. National geospatial preparedness entails the creation of a digital database that will provide a single, consistent mapping framework for the country that will form the basis for integrating, sharing, and using data easily, and is needed for effective, rapid deployment of first responders at all levels in an emergency. This is the initiative that EOM intends to endorse to all the various stakeholders.

Also, a portion of this issue has been devoted to the EOM Green Book 2004-Who's Who in the Geotechnologies-all you need to find anything you want in the geotechnologies! It can lead you to every type of software, data, information, and service that can be sourced through the geotechnologies. Whether you are just delving into geospatial information or are a well-established GIS user, this directory will help you find whatever you need from the geotechnologies-GIS, remote sensing, GPS, mapping, photogrammetry, and aerial photography.

The Green Book does not contain every vendor in the industry. That would be well over a thousand, not counting all the government agencies and universities providing products and services in this industry. The organizations listed herein paid an advertising fee in order to inform our readers about the services they have to offer. They are the ones who consider it important enough to go to extra lengths to help you meet your geospatial information needs. They are the ones you should turn to for advice in your quest for geospatial Minerva.

Navigating one's way through the geospatial labyrinth is a daunting, confusing task for both novices and mapping veterans. The issues related to the successful implementation of any of these technologies are complicated at best. That is why our pat answer is "Educate yourself!" Talk to as many people as possible, read as much as you can, visit websites, try samples, take courses, and you can start your journey with the Green Book.

For the past ten years the Green Book has signified the end of one year and the beginning of another. But, this year it holds deeper meaning. We are witnessing the most dramatic changes this industry has ever seen: The evolution of old-world economic powers into new-economy information companies, and the creation of international, multi-faceted geotechnology conglomerates. Mapping, photogrammetry, and geospatial businesses are faced with having offshore components or seeing business outsourced to cheap labor markets. This is causing many mapping firms to reevaluate the services they can offer clients and raises concerns as to what will become of the U.S. mapping industry. We are witness to the dynamics of economic Darwinism being played out before our very eyes.

Responsive to Change

Herbert Spencer, a British philosopher and economist, coined the phrase "survival of the fittest" in 1867. He believed that strong competitors naturally and properly drive weaker institutions into extinction. He said that unfettered competition is the only way for economic systems to advance, and that government should not stand in the way of the free market.

The Earth information industry and its markets will evolve based upon external influences and the will and ability of individual organizations to survive and thrive. However, economic Darwinism is not necessarily about being the biggest or strongest, for it was Charles Darwin himself who said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one more responsive to change."

As we go forward in an ever-changing world, it is with profound emotion that all of us at Earth Observation Magazine and GITC America wish all of you a happy, healthy, and optimistic New Year!

Until next time . . . Cheers!