BD use by law enforcement and intelligence in the national security space : perceived benefits, risks and challenges

Big Data is being increasingly used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies to predict, investigate, understand and disrupt crime and other incidents. This article draws on the research project Big Data and National Security which was conducted as part of the Data to Decisions Cooperative Research Centre ('D2DCRC'). This article does not argue a position nor does it provide a comprehensive analysis of issues. Rather, this article is a descriptive piece that addresses the perceived advantages, as well as the risks and challenges, that big data poses for use by law enforcement and intelligence in the national security space. In doing so, the article touches on both under-explored and unexplored issues with big data and national security, thereby highlighting areas that require further research and investigation.