Challenging the Situational Awareness on the Sea from Sensors to Analytics New technologies for data gathering, dissemination, sharing and analytics in the Mediterranean theatre Programme Overview The dramatic events that continue to occur in the Mediterranean Sea and the threats growing along Europe s southern doorstep once more underline the need to increase precision and predictability of the situational picture on the high seas and all adjacent coasts in this region, in order to enhance cooperation and integrate the capabilities of the various parties who have a legitimate interest in gathering relevant data for surveilling the situation. At the strategic headquarters and (maritime) forces level, a variety of partners, such as the Italian security organisations (military and law enforcement), European Union, NATO, UN, and humanitarian organisations each work on comprehensive information for their respective legitimate purposes. All respective methods and activities are not seamlessly integrated, thereby forcing each party to rely on different sources, technologies, data bases, etc. The rescue of refugees, fighting illegal actions, observing adversaries, tracking terrorists, guaranteeing maritime safety and security, and protecting the maritime environment are amongst the various tasks, which are all closely linked to this very situational awareness. Modern technologies from automated, long distance sensors, to space-based, real-time communication systems, to predictive analytics, to cloud-based data solutions are indispensable for the success of all the related tasks. The agencies ability to exchange information securely, without disruption and to cooperate effectively is based on the integration of multi-source technological solutions, at least in order to be able to exchange and manage information in a standardised and automated way. Their competitive edge on the operational field relies also on the ability to leverage the technological progress that is made on the offender s side (including means for spectrum warfare).
At this two-day conference, representatives from some of the highest levels of the European and NATO institutional, academic and industrial world will be invited to discuss the current situation, challenges and the prospects of Situational Awareness. In the Mediterranean Theatre, as it has a natural focus on the maritime situational picture, the challenge goes beyond a pure naval perspective; it has to appropriately honour contributing factors from various sources, all services and dimensions and non-military and non-governmental. The conference will illustrate the international regulatory, institutional, and cooperative framework, deepen operational aspects and provide perspective on technological solutions. In addition, it will emphasise the need for sharing surveillance data and the exchange of information, supported by advanced technologies from sensors to analytics between agencies and amongst the nations and NGOs. Presentations and discussions on best practices and achievements in the exchange of data help to better understand the challenge and identify today s starting points for potential improvements. Cyber security plays an eminent role at all levels in securing sensors, communication networks and data against sophisticated and advanced threats from Cyber space, both criminals and state adversaries also in this theatre. Layout of the conference In order to approach this field of different views and high political sensitivity effectively, it is both good practice and vitally necessary to start the conference with a series of keynotes from the highest national and international level. Speeches from the Italian Minister of Defence, the Italian Chief of Defence, the political and military level of NATO and EU will help to shape the conference and set the necessary framework for all following discussions. PART A Panel Session One: Seen from Above. Strategic Aspects of Situational Awareness The complexity of the strategic situation needs to be addressed accordingly from various angles, the multiple influencing factors and participants need to be represented in a wise selection. The characterisation of the political and strategic security situation in the Mediterranean area and its forecast are based on a sound information basis and may still potentially lead to differing situational assessments. This requires sharing information widely in accordance with established rules and regulations, those perhaps to be improved, consultation and coordination in the political processes, and technological support, which enhances the situational awareness and speeds up decision-making. If such tools are not yet available, it should be in the interest of governments, multi- and supranational entities and NGOs to develop such tools in a comprehensive approach. Their adaptability to non-traditional threats and challenges as well as to all sources and sensors increases the quality of the situational awareness and ultimately enables decision-making in a multi-factor environment. At the same time, technological means have to be able to cope with rising new challenges and security threats in this region, should they occur. Expectations expressed by the presenters in keynotes and in panel session 1 should help to shape and to encourage new technological developments.
PART B Panel Session Two: Seen from within.operational Viewpoints/Effectiveness through Sharing the Situational Picture Various operations of different natures are taking place day by day in the Mediterranean area in order to maintain security and safety. NGOs, Coast guards, law enforcement, military, all national or jointly under EU, NATO, or UN authority, all entities have vast experience in gathering, processing, and disseminating data, in cooperation amongst each other. In the end, however, the situational picture may still be fragmented, and the lack of automated exchange of information, under existing or still to be defined rules and regulations, compromises the effectiveness of the operations, or even hampers success. An exchange, based on the individual operational tasks, goals and mission experience, between military and non-military, between state and nongovernmental parties, between national authorities and transnational entities in panel session 2 might highlight deficiencies and possibilities, and might jointly define requirements for a more sophisticated use of modern information technology. The group might also discuss how technological changes like IoT and Big Data Analytics will encourage or even request more interoperability. This is the purpose of that first panel in session two where senior experts from that multifaceted group will meet and reflect on their operational needs in Situational Awareness and how IT could help improve interoperability. Technological and other limitations on the exchange of data will also have to be taken into account. NATO and the EU will have to answer the question: Is there sufficient interoperable situational awareness in operations, also between operations from both sides in the same theatre? Panel Session Three: Status and Prospects of Existing Governmental, EU and NATO-Projects Despite vast opportunities for improvement, there is progress though. Exemplary, existing projects and technological programmes for improvements on the maritime situational awareness will be shortly presented and discussed under the special emphasis of the Italian Navy and its partners. A special panel session 3 will discuss the prospects and the aspects of enlarging such projects to other partners. It also might be useful to compare such endeavors with upcoming new, commercially available technologies and similar activities of other EU or NATO partners. Artificial intelligence may be on of the competing technologies, as well as the advances in open source intelligence. Industry should comment on the operational view with a central keynote, giving an overview on their assessment and own experiences.
PART C Panel Session Four: Technology Can Make it Work. Technological Aspects and Solutions Given the wide range of technological challenges and opportunities for improving interoperability in favor of a common operational picture, different fields of technologies at the edge will have to addressed. It might be seen that a lot of solutions are already existing or are ready to be fielded, but they have been developed for other users. Crossover adaption of such technologies from even distant applications to the needs of situational awareness in the field of national security and from nontraditional sources will definitely result in even more powerful solutions and add to interoperability. It starts with sensor technology, continues with satellite-based communication and observation, and definitely does not end with display technologies in command centres. Technological standards of a more automated data exchange will be discussed in order to speed up decision-making processes and to get a more comprehensive picture. Amongst other themes, advances in biometrics could also have to be discussed in panel session 4. Panel Session Five: Technological Aspects and Solutions (Big Data, Data Analytics, Cyber Aspects) Beyond the pure transmission of data, assessing its relevance for a comprehensive situational picture is a field of its own. It will have to include new technologies for data fusion, data integration, data analytics. Big Data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and related information definitely provide topics for an extensive discussion about existing or potential solutions in promoting interoperability, accuracy, and speed. Ultimately, Cyber security is gaining new importance in this field, given the huge amount of data and increasingly automated processes. Panel Session 5 will deal with auspices and challenges in that domain. In both panel sessions 4 and 5, new business models, for example, a new partnership between industry and operating agencies could be a subject of discussion. In this regard, a keynote from a non-governmental, commercial body about its options and approaches will widen the view. It is important also to address the role of research institutes and academic research in this field. PART D Keynote Panel Session 6 Cyber Security from the Outset a CIO s view In reviewing all the outcomes of all the panels and taking into account potentially specific conditions in the Mediterranean Are, keynote panel session 6, composed of CIOs from the MoDs of sea faring nations and related Cyber operations authorities, will debate challenges and influences of cyber security on a desirably more interoperable situational awareness and the creation of comprehensive operational pictures. It might be discussed how cyber security affects processes and data handling in general, and what requirements in Cyber security are evolving from artificial intelligence and data analytics, including standardisation aspects. New architectural models, which reflect the increasing need of sharing information on situational awareness may be presented as well as solutions how to deal with integrating a vast number of different technologies and information systems, including legacy systems. Finally, the
CIOs perspective on a potential shift of their responsibility in a data-centric world with new roles, such Chief Data Officers, would enlighten the audience. A final keynote will then lead back to the political-strategic level by drawing conclusions regarding the need for changing policies and procedures. It again, might emphasise the utmost importance of making situational awareness more interoperable and joint for the best of the coalition of any partners. Intertwined in the conference, there is a briefing on the hackathon with participants from the local area which was held just before the conference. The hackathon theme and process will be explained to the audience followed by the award ceremony for the winners.