SAS Institute May Be Central To Homeland Security

SAS Institute

is heavily involved in federal projects, helping to battle terrorism, criminal and other dangerous threats, according to Jeff Babcock, vice president of public sector sales and marketing.

"Bioterrorism jobs, first responder jobs - what you would call data mining jobs for various agencies that have three letters to them," said Babcock.

The company could become more involved soon; SAS may be a contractor candidate in the proposed Department of Homeland Security.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

uses SAS solutions to track the West Nile virus.

SAS was used to investigate the virus, help gauge the level of the problem and calculate where it was headed.

People, processes and technology are the issues of homeland security, according to Babcock.

"How is information shared? 90 percent of the job, from a homeland defense standpoint, is sharing between the various people involved in the process," said Babcock.

Using airport security screening as an example, Babcock said once unusual things show up on X-rays, the process begins.

"We're seeing that in laptop cases, we're seeing certain kinds of things consistently come through. If that's what we're seeing, then what do we have to do about it?" said Babcock.

The process is based on patterns. Babcock said once they are found, responses and preventive measures begin.

SAS can adapt and grow, as agencies need change, according to Babcock.

A $7.7 million grant is in the works for North Carolina to help first responders and improve local Hazmat crews.