IBM Analytics Get DHS SAFETY Nod

May 29, 2007
System can search for names across languages, used to seek terrorist links

The Department of Homeland Security has approved analytics software from IBM Corp. for use in fighting terrorism.

The IBM Global Name Scoring software has been qualified under the guidelines set by the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002, according to the company.

The act as a seal of approval, assuring the product does what it claims to do. It also protects the vendor from legal liabilities sparked by the product.

The system can search for instances of names across different languages. It takes into account "the linguistic, phonetic and specific cultural variation patterns of names," according to the IBM statement.

Thus far, approximately have been qualified to meet Safety Act guidelines.