Diverse databases are key to actionable operational intelligence that prevents emerging threats.

Eyerman 21 [Joe Eyerman is a senior political scientist in the RAND Corporation's Washington office.; Sep 2, 2021; “A Review of Public Data About Terrorism and Targeted Violence to Meet U.S. Department of Homeland Security Mission Needs”; https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1203-1.html//araghvn

DHS has a strong need for data to support policy and create actionable operational intelligence. These data needs span the gamut of incident types, actors, motivations, and tactics, techniques, and procedures. Many sources are available to support DHS needs. However, some areas, such as cyberthreats and emerging technologies, require new database construction. Although the overall quality of the prominent databases is generally high, the quality assurance and study documentation standards are inconsistently applied, suggesting a need for clearly promulgated requirements.

Recommendations - DHS can continue to fund database updates and new builds for emerging threats, such as cyberattacks. DHS can lead the data collection field with clear expectations about standards for quality control procedures, transparency, and documentation. DHS can improve data timeliness and relevance to emerging issues and program evaluations through a combination of investments in new data collection methods and an expedited process for identifying and funding new data needs. DHS can improve the alignment of the data collection field with its data needs through additional assessments and research. This could result in solutions to improve the overall quality and accuracy of data use for the analysis of terrorism and targeted violence.