Improved Online Version Of Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment To Be Launched

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - An improved online version of the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment is set to be launched soon. The upgrade will feature improved access and wider range of services, according to Vicki Jo McBee, newly appointed head of the TIDE project.

TIDE was rushed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attack. It has data on over 400,000 suspected terrorists from around the world. It runs from the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington, D.C., together with other systems that provide data used by watch-list programs to screen visitors entering the U.S. or upon the request of intelligence agents.

To address the limitations of the quickly built TIDE, the $500 million Railhead project was launched in 2006 which updates the system and expands its capabilities. Over $100 million has been spent on Railhead, but controversies over the project had slowed down its launch.

A lawmaker has threatened to ask the inspector general of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to probe the project, reportedly "on the brink of collapse" and threatening national security.

TIDE officials belie the charge, while they admitted Railhead had to slow down, which is an experience common among large technology projects, because of insufficient communication between provider and user.

McBee assured Washington Post, "We are making progress... The users are going to be more than satisfied."

As the world observes the 7th anniversary of 9/11 next week, much focus is placed again in the U.S. on the adequacy of anti-terrorism measures being undertaken.

When Gen. Michael Hayden was nominated by President George Bush to head the Central Intelligence Agency, he was grilled on phone records database compiled when he headed the National Security Agency. According to a USA Today article in May, A T and T, BellSouth and Verizon turned over to the NSA phone call data.