Abstract:
A netcentric architecture is provided for securely communicating and processing secure data between centrally located server devices and user devices over a network. A centrally located server device in the netcentric architecture may include a core application used to process requests from the user devices. The requests and the processing of the requests may involve the secure data. A security architecture layer may be provided to restrict access to the core application and maintain security of the secure data. The security architecture layer may further monitor and record the secure data communicated using the netcentric architecture.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/448,268, filed Apr. 16, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/686,608, filed Oct. 17, 2003 and now U.S. Pat. No. 8,160,892, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/428,735, filed Nov. 25, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a border management solution, and more particularly, to a border management solution based on a business architecture that provides integrated support among various entities responsible for managing the security and laws of a country&#39;s borders. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Border management has become an increasingly difficult function that faces significant and increasing challenges in protecting a country&#39;s citizens, infrastructure, and economy from threats at its borders, while at the same time supporting economic stability and growth through the facilitation of the passage of people and trade. The functions of border management have traditionally been managed by multiple disparate agencies or entities responsible for specific and at times overlapping elements of a border management solution. 
         [0006]    The primary challenges faced by agencies or entities currently responsible for border management include the global effects of local immigration, travel, and trade trends; increasing workload, insufficient staff; the balance between facilitation and enforcement; barriers to coordinated border management; and eGovernment mandates and challenges. 
         [0007]    The lack of coordination among these agencies or entities, or even the framework with which interaction is encouraged or developed, reduces the ability of the border management system to meet these challenges. Thus, a balance of facilitation and enforcement cannot be met with current border management systems. 
         [0008]    Within a traditional boarder management system information collected by one entity is generally not shared with or even available to other entities. Without the interchange of information, each agency or entity houses a limited collection of knowledge collected by that border management entity alone. A lack of interchange of such information deprives the border management entities an opportunity to develop a complete view of a particular situation for assessing border management decisions. Furthermore, information gathering capabilities and technologies are further limited by the lack of a coherent data source. 
         [0009]    These and other deficiencies exist in current border management solutions. Therefore, a solution to these problems is needed, providing an improved border management solution. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Accordingly, in view of these and other deficiencies inherent in current border management solutions, the present invention is directed to an integrated border management solution providing a balance between facilitating the movement of people and commerce with the requirements of immigration, customs, and other border-focused law enforcement. The facilitation aspect of the solution includes processing of arrivals and departures, as well as processing requests triggered by forms and applications such as requests for visas, asylum or customs declarations. The enforcement aspect of the solution includes border enforcement alerts and communication, as well as a comprehensive, integrated investigation and intelligence workbench. A border management solution according to the present invention may be implemented as an integrated whole or as component parts to a border management solution. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a border management business architecture defining the structure for developing a border management solution in terms of its capabilities and the interrelationships of those capabilities. Encompassed within the border management business architecture are the supporting process, application, technology, organization, competency, culture, communication, and collaboration architectures. A border management entity can use the border management business architecture to evaluate current capabilities and define the new capabilities and support structures required to provide effective border management and to transform an agency into a model organization. 
         [0012]    The border management business architecture provides the flexibility to remain intact through subsequent changes in strategy, policy, performance requirements, organization, and other key factors that are a natural part of an evolving public sector environment. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides an integrated border management solution combining four primary quadrants that identify key border management responsibilities and define how those performing these responsibilities work together either within one agency or across multiple agencies. Supporting elements of the border management solution also include customer channels, an integrated view of the customer, border management knowledge, and border enforcement intelligence. 
         [0014]    One of the primary quadrants provides for the requests and applications of travelers and commerce shipments. This quadrant incorporates the processing of such items as visas, asylum requests, and customs declarations. 
         [0015]    A second primary quadrant provides for the interaction with immigrants, travelers, and trade as they move through a country&#39;s borders. The arrival or departure of an individual, or the import or export of cargo may initiate actions taken within this quadrant. Records matching, and passenger or cargo identification are also managed within this quadrant. 
         [0016]    A third primary quadrant provides for the detection and enforcement of immigration, customs, and other border-focused laws. Unusual entry or exit, or an overstay may trigger activity in this quadrant. Such activity may propagate efforts to identify or alert other to such behavior, or may initiate questioning of passengers or shippers. 
         [0017]    A fourth primary quadrant provides for investigation and intelligence development. Each instance requiring investigation allows for the analysis of previously collected information and also provides for the addition of information collected while the current investigation is ongoing. 
         [0018]    Each of the primary quadrants provides for the collection, evaluation, and use of data throughout the border management process. Through this collection and sharing of information each entity working within the border management solution increases the knowledge base and provides for more efficient use of the collected data. By developing a central data source that is accessible through the border management knowledge element not only is the knowledge base enhanced for the entity or entities working within the four-quadrant solution, but intelligence, in addition to the collected data, may also be developed through an intelligence engine of the border enforcement intelligence element. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a border management business architecture for developing a border management solution is disclosed. The border management business architecture includes one or more citizen-facing capabilities providing interaction between people or commerce entering or exiting a country and border enforcement personnel; one or more supporting capabilities encompassing the one or more citizen-facing capabilities for assisting the one or more citizen-facing capabilities in working together; and one or more infrastructure capabilities for coordinating strategy among and infrastructure support across the one or more citizen-facing capabilities and one or more supporting capabilities. 
         [0020]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, a border management application architecture is disclosed. The border management application architecture includes a set of core applications for standard border management functions, and case management and intelligence applications; a set of customer channels for providing individual access points for the users of the border management application architecture; a customer channel interface interconnecting the set of customer channels and the set of core applications; one or more management access channels for providing access points and tools for the sharing and access of border management data across border management capabilities; and one or more management access interfaces interconnecting the one or more management access channels with the set of core applications. 
         [0021]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a border management solution is disclosed. The border management solution includes an immigrants, travelers and trade capability quadrant with associated business processes for managing the entry and exit of people and cargo; a requests and applications capability quadrant with associated business processes for processing documents associated with immigrants, travelers, and trade; a detection and enforcement capability quadrant with associated business processes for patrolling and monitoring passengers and trade; an investigation and intelligence capability quadrant with the associated business processes for identifying and investigating unusual activity and trends associated with the entry and exit of people and trade; and one or more supporting elements for storing collecting and storing information collected and intelligence developed with the border management solution. 
         [0022]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing an applicant through a requests and applications quadrant of a border management solution is disclosed. The steps of the method include preparing an application by the applicant, submitting the application to a case database of the border management solution, attending an interview with border management personnel, and rendering a decision by the border management personnel. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for processing a passenger arrival and departure through an immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant of a border management solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving advance passenger manifest, storing the advance passenger manifest into a case database of the border management solution, interviewing an arriving passenger, and rendering a decision. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for detecting and enforcing border management laws through a detection and enforcement quadrant of an integrated border management solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of alerting a border management enforcement officer, reviewing case information by the border management enforcement officer, and rendering a decision. 
         [0025]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of investigating a passenger through an investigation and intelligence quadrant of a border management solution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of collecting border intelligence, reviewing border intelligence, analyzing border intelligence, and generating an action based on the analysis of border intelligence. 
         [0026]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0027]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  shows the border management business architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the process architecture incorporated in the border management business architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of the application architecture of the border management business architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  shows the technology architecture of the border management business architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the integrated border management solution according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates an overview of the process flow through the requests and applications quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps for an applicant through the requests and applications quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates an overview of the process flow through the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps for an entry passenger through the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps for an exit passenger through the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  illustrates an overview of the process flow through the detection and enforcement quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps for generating an alert through the detection and enforcement quadrant of the integrated border management solution, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates an overview of the process flow through the investigation and intelligence quadrant of the integrated border management solution according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps for an investigation through the investigation and intelligence quadrant of the integrated border management solution according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  shows the intelligence infrastructure for collecting and analyzing border enforcement data according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  shows the overview of the border management business architecture  10  according to the present invention. The border management business architecture  10  defines the structure for developing a border management solution in terms of its capabilities and their interrelationships. Also encompassed within the business architecture are the supporting process, application, technology, organization, competency, culture, communication, and collaboration architectures. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the border management business architecture  10  includes five citizen-facing capabilities: Process Applications, Requests and Cases  110 ; Facilitate Movement of Immigrants, Travelers, and Trade  120 ; Detect and Enforce Border Laws and Policies  130 ; Conduct Enforcement Investigations  140 ; and Collect, Analyze, and Communicate Intelligence  150 . The Process Applications, Requests and Cases capability  110 , and Facilitate Movement of Immigrants, Travelers and Trade capability  120  focus on direct interaction with citizens, visitors, immigrants, and members of the trade to facilitate entry and exit of people and commerce into and from a country. The Detect and Enforce Border Laws and Policies capability  130 , Conduct Enforcement Investigations capability  140 ; and Collect, Analyze, and Communicate Intelligence capability  150  focus more on enforcement of immigration, customs, and other border-focused laws. 
         [0047]    Also included within the border management business architecture  10  are a Provide Service and Support Communication capability  160  and a Coordinate Border Management Functions capability  170 , which encompass the five-citizen facing capabilities and assist them in working together. The Provide Service and Support Communication capability  160  supports the five customer-facing capabilities and serves as an interface to clients, including immigrants, travelers and the trade. The Coordinate Border Management Functions capability  170  supports the five customer-facing capabilities by coordinating activities between the other capabilities. 
         [0048]    The Strategy, Policy and Governance capability  180 , and Provide Shared Services Support capability  190  provide an infrastructure of support and governance for border management functions. The Strategy, Policy and Governance capability  180  defines the strategy across border management functions, regardless of the entity responsible for that function, the policies to support the strategy, and an overall governance and leadership structure providing continuous and clear direction. The Provide Shared Services Support capability  190  provides infrastructure such as human resource, finance, information technology, procurement and budget to the border management entities. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  shows the business processes associated with each capability and the flow of communication among the capabilities within the border management business architecture  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The business processes within each capability provide a set of logically related activities combined to produce a business outcome. The processes, according to various embodiments, may involve both manual and automated activities. 
         [0050]    Turning to  FIG. 2  specifically, each capability within the border management business architecture  10  provides the detailed processes for managing both individuals, such as immigrants and tourists, as well as trade. According to one embodiment, processes associated with the Process Applications, Requests and Cases capability  110  include processes for use with immigrants and travelers, such as automated processing of individual requests  112 , manual processing of individual requests  114 , and processes for use with trade, such as automated processing of trade requests  116 , and manual processing of trade requests  118 . 
         [0051]    Automated processing of individual requests  112  provides for the collection and processing of electronic requests. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the automated processing may be provided for such things as visa or asylum requests, or customs declarations. For example, a visa request may be electronically prepared and submitted. This request would then be automatically processed based on the information and history provided by an individual. Manual processing of individual requests  114  occurs when an individual&#39;s request cannot be processed automatically due to a complicated request or a paper submission. 
         [0052]    Automated processing of trade requests  116  may also be provided for the collection and processing of electronic trade requests. According to an embodiment of the present invention, automated processing may be provided for such things as import and export requests. In a similar manner to that provided for individuals, electronic requests may be prepared and automatically processed based on the information provided by the importer or exporter. Manual processing of trade requests  118  will also occur when a request cannot be processed automatically due to a complicated request or a paper submission. 
         [0053]    The Facilitate Movement of Immigrants, Travelers and Trade capability  120 , according to a further embodiment of the present invention, also includes processes associated with immigrants and travelers, and trade. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the processes used with immigrants and travelers include entry processing  122 , and exit processing  124 , and those for use with trade include import processing  126 , and export processing  128 . 
         [0054]    Entry processing  122  verifies authorization for the admission of a visitor and records arrival details, such as date and time, port of entry, and intended destination. Exit processing  124  tracks departure information for a visitor. 
         [0055]    Import processing  126  verifies authorization for the clearance of cargo and records import details, such as date and time, port of entry, and intended destination. Export processing  128  tracks export information for cargo. 
         [0056]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Detect and Enforce Border Laws and Policies capability  130  include passenger case review  132 , and trade case review  134 . Passenger case review  132  provides real-time access to traveler information, criminal history, and other law enforcement information and applications that an inspector needs to complete an interview of a passenger and to approve or deny entry. Trade case review  134  automatically identifies shipments that should be inspected, directs an inspector to the shipment to be inspected, and provides real-time access to case information, history, and other critical information that an inspector needs to complete an inspection and to approve or deny clearance. 
         [0057]    The processes associated with the Conduct Enforcement and Investigations capability  140  include conduct individual investigation  142 , and conduct trade investigation  144 . Conduct individual investigation  142  focuses on identifying and locating individuals not in compliance with immigration regulations, alerting individuals to possible violations of the law, apprehending non-compliant individuals, and serving deportation orders. Conduct trade investigation  144  focuses on investigating illegal or suspicious trade activity, identifying the source of illegal goods, stopping smuggling operations, and working with overseas law enforcement and border management agencies. 
         [0058]    The processes associated with the Collect, Analyze and Communicate Intelligence capability  150  include identify individual risks and communicate intelligence  152 , and identify trade risks and communicate intelligence  154 . Identify individual risks and communicate intelligence  152  gathers information about individuals who may pose a threat to country, synthesizes this information to form intelligence, and communicates the intelligence to officers for evaluation. And based on the evaluation, an officer may alert other border management personnel to potential threats. 
         [0059]    Identify trade risks and communicate intelligence  154  gathers information about non-compliant and illegal trade, synthesizes this information to form intelligence, and communicates the intelligence to officers for evaluation. Based on the evaluation, and officer may alert other border management personnel to potential threats or trade compliance issues. 
         [0060]    According to the present invention, applications can be defined based on these business processes in order to use technology to enable the processes to be executed. All other elements within a capability are also aligned with the core business processes within that capability. Tightly integrated and coordinated business processes, such as those illustrated in  FIG. 2 , provide the framework required for excellent customer service and citizen security. 
         [0061]      FIG. 3  shows the application architecture  30  within the border management business architecture  10 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the application architecture  30  provides the core applications  310 , interfaces  335 ,  345 ,  355 ,  365 , customer channels  330 , and information and knowledge management tool sets  340 ,  350 , and  360 . Successful execution of border management capabilities is dependent on the sharing of data and providing access to that data across all border management capabilities within the border management solution. The application architecture  30  provides the ability to share data and provide access to that data across all border management capabilities with in a secure framework. According to an embodiment of the present invention, applications may be customized to job functions and roles and still allow access to a centralized data source. 
         [0062]    Turning to  FIG. 3  in particular, the core applications  310  of the application architecture  30  represent standard border management related functions, as well as case management applications, and intelligence applications. According to an embodiment of the present invention, core applications may include cargo targeting  3110 , process cargo  3112 , process imports  3114 , process exports  3116 , form submission and processing  3118 , passenger targeting  3120 , entry processing  3122 , exit processing  3124 , revenue collection  3126 , background check  3128 , law enforcement applications  3130 , investigation applications  3132 , and case management applications  320 . The case management applications  320  may further include activity recording  3202 , alert management  3204 , workflow management  3206 , information recording  3208 , and intelligence applications  3210 , such as information synthesis  3212 , and risk scoring and analytics  3214 . 
         [0063]    Access to the core applications  310  of the application architecture  30  is available through various access channels, such as the customer channels  330 , information and knowledge management  340 , customer relationship management  350 , and management and administration  360 . Each channel is provided a channel specific interface between the access channel and the core applications to ensure proper security and allow access to only authorized applications and data from each access point within each channel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the interfaces include a channel interface  335 , a client interface  345 , an information interface  355 , and a management and administrative interface  365 . 
         [0064]    The customer channels  330  provide individual access points for the users of the border management application architecture  30 . For example, the customer channels  330  may include an internet portal  3302 , an electronic data interchange (“EDI”),  3304 , call center  3306 , customer center  3308 , mobile access  3310 , or kiosk  3312 . 
         [0065]    The information and knowledge management tool set  340  provides the access points and tools for the sharing and access of data across border management capabilities. The information and knowledge management tool set  340  may include collaboration  3402 , reporting and data mining  3404 , integrated document management  3406 , data warehouse  3408 , security maintenance  3410 , and other external interfaces  3412 . 
         [0066]    The border management application architecture  30  also provides customer service as well as day-to-day management and administration access to the core applications  310  and data. Customer relationship management  350  provides an access channel to allow for assistance with customer inquiries or problems. 
         [0067]    The management and administration tool set  360  provides an access channel for typical management and administration purposes and may include human resource tools  3602 , finance tools  3604 , budget tools  3606 , procurement tools  3608 , or other management and administration tools  3610 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 4  shows the technology architecture  40  according to the present invention. The technology architecture  40  supports multiple electronic access channels  410  to disparate data resources  420 , such as internal databases, or external information sites, that are reachable by users, such as internal users, customers, and external partners. Business logic  430  between the multiple access channels  410  and the data resources  420  manages and coordinates the transfer of data. 
         [0069]    The multiple access channels  410  provide the ability to access applications and data resources  420  via various electronic devices, such as computer workstations  4102 , laptops  4104 , as well as mobile computing devices including handheld computers  4106 , pagers  4108 , and cell phones  4110 . From the multiple access channels  410  a user may use available applications, as well as view, input, or modify data accessible through the technology architecture  40 . 
         [0070]    Business logic  430  provides the management necessary to coordinate the user applications and the transfer of data between the access channels  410  and the data resources  420 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, business logic  430  may include servers  4302 , border management components  4304 , other government components  4306 , and external components  4308 . 
         [0071]    Within the technology architecture  40 , data resources  420  may contain internal databases, such as border management case databases  4202  or other border management databases  4204 , or external information sites, such as law enforcement databases  4206 , other government databases  4208 , or other databases  4210 . 
         [0072]    The technology architecture  40  is based on netcentric architecture and is developed to allow geographically dispersed and often highly mobile users access to information in a quick and efficient manner. A flexible, scalable, and secure netcentric architecture provides the ability to deliver information anytime and anywhere it is needed to support border management functions. 
         [0073]      FIG. 5  shows the integrated border management solution  50  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The border management solution  50  shown in  FIG. 5  is based around four capability quadrants  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540 . The capability quadrants  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  include two customer-facing quadrants and two enforcement and security-focused quadrants. The two customer-facing quadrants are the immigrants, travelers and trade quadrant  510 , and the requests and applications quadrant  520 . The two enforcement and security-focused quadrants are the detection and enforcement quadrant  530 , and the investigation and intelligence quadrant  540 . 
         [0074]    The immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant  510  focuses on the entry and exit of people and cargo. The arrival or departure of an individual or the import or export of goods will typically trigger activities within this quadrant. According to an embodiment of the present invention, actions within the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant  510  may include recording and matching an individual&#39;s entry or exit, verifying a passenger&#39;s identity, verifying the origin of cargo, and verifying the authorization for entry or passengers or goods. For example, when a person or goods enter or exit a country, inspectors collect and enter information at an inspection station  512  via a workstation, laptop, handheld, or other computing device. From this information the border management solution  50  may verify the information or may generate an alert. Exception cases are also managed to provide an appropriate level of scrutiny. 
         [0075]    The requests and applications quadrant  520  focuses on the processing of documents associated with immigrants, travelers, and trade. The submission of a form or application triggers activity within this quadrant. According to an embodiment of the present invention, actions within the requests and applications quadrant  520  may include visa processing, asylum processing, customs declaration processing, and form and application processing. As an example, forms and applications may be provided to a processing location  522 . The requests and applications quadrant  520  facilitates the review and approval of the forms and applications. Exception cases are noted and provided for further investigation and intelligence analysis, as well as identifying specific travelers or items requiring additional attention. 
         [0076]    The detection and enforcement quadrant  530  focuses on patrolling and monitoring passengers and vehicles to identify suspicious behavior that may not be observed or viewable by an inspector at an inspection station  512 . Unusual entry or exit activity, overstay, or other suspicious activity triggers activity in this quadrant. For example, security or law enforcement officials may identify irregular activity or behavior through observation or questioning passengers or shippers. This activity or an alert may be reported by the security or law enforcement officials through alerts and mobile access locations or devices  532 , such as handheld devices, cell phones, pagers, laptops other computing devices. 
         [0077]    The investigation and intelligence quadrant  540  is responsible for analyzing information gathered from the other three quadrants to identify unusual activity and trends at the borders. A tip or intelligence generated from within the border management solution or externally triggers activity in this quadrant. According to an embodiment of the present invention, activities within this quadrant include investigation and analysis of irregular entry, exit, or other events or behaviors, identifying visitors who have stayed beyond their authorized stay deadline. For example, through a tip, alert, or other intelligence, an investigator may use an investigative and intelligence toolset  542  using workstations, laptops, handheld devices, or other computing devices to further review and investigate a case. 
         [0078]    The border management solution  50  in  FIG. 5  also includes various supporting elements such as customer channels  550 , integrated view of the customer  560 , border management knowledge  570 , and border enforcement intelligence  580 . Combining the capability quadrants  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  with the supporting elements  550 ,  560 , and  570  provides an integrated solution to border management allowing for the creation and maintenance of a centralized knowledge base. 
         [0079]    Customer channels  550  provide a variety of access channels for the end customer, whether traveler, immigrant, or shipper, to interact with border management employees, processes, and systems. Access channels may include portals, call centers, kiosks, a port service representative, or any other point of interaction. Through the customer channels  550  a customer is able to complete forms and applications, as well as update information and check the status of any ongoing request. 
         [0080]    The integrated view of the customer  560  enables employees to provide efficient and effective customer service while also allowing for an enforcement view. As a customer provides information and interacts with border management employees through the processing of requests and applications, traveling through entry and exit points, and any investigation and intelligence development, a single knowledge base is created allowing for a single, complete view of a customer. The integrated view of the customer allows for case status review, activities analysis, review of relationships, and the development of a history. 
         [0081]    The border management knowledge element  570  includes the border management applications  572  and border management knowledge base  574 , including an integrated border management database  576 . Through the border management knowledge element, employees, as determined by their role and need are provided access to view, use, and update information stored in the integrated border management database about a particular customer or case. Access to border management applications  572 , the border management knowledge base  574 , and the border management database  576  is provided through the access points  512 ,  522 ,  532 , and  542  of the four primary capability quadrants  510 ,  520 ,  530 , and  540  and the customer channels  550  of the border management solution  50 . Through these access points, information may be entered, modified, reviewed and used. The border management database  576  provides a centralized location to store all data received by, and developed within, the border management solution. 
         [0082]    Border enforcement intelligence element  580  provides the tools, including an intelligence engine, to transform data and information about an individual or a case into knowledge and intelligence that can be acted upon to secure the borders, protect citizens, or make decision about necessary enforcement actions. The border enforcement intelligence element  580  also includes an enforcement database  582  that may include watch lists, most wanted lists, criminal history reports, and deportation lists. 
         [0083]    Conduits  590  and  592  also allow the border management knowledge element  570  to access internal and external databases. According to one embodiment of the present invention an internal conduit  590  provides the border management knowledge element  570  access to internal data sources, such as the border enforcement intelligence element  580 . According to this embodiment, the internal conduit  590  allows the border management knowledge element  570  to use intelligence data generated by the border enforcement intelligence element  580  and other internal data sources in its development of border management knowledge. 
         [0084]    A further embodiment includes an external conduit  592  from the border enforcement intelligence element  580  to external data sources, such as public data from other government agencies and non-government partners. By combining the data maintained in the integrated border management database  576  with other internal and external databases a more complete picture of a person or a case can be developed for further action by the enforcement entities. 
         [0085]    Border enforcement intelligence  580  provides the ability for enforcement officials to transform the data contained in the border management database and combine it with information collected from other internal and external sources to develop knowledge and intelligence. For example, the border enforcement intelligence database  582  may also include watch lists, most wanted lists, criminal histories, and deportation lists. 
         [0086]    The border management solution  50  and border enforcement intelligence element  580  include data warehousing and mining environments to support the identification of threats and trigger alerts to appropriate individuals in the field. The data warehousing solutions allow enforcement officials to synthesize information, identify patterns, analyze historical information, develop risk scores, and form intelligence. Data mining includes such applications as rules-based analysis, neural networks, decision tree analysis, and other data recognition techniques. Data source indexing facilitates access to and analysis of the data in support of risk assessment. 
         [0087]    In operation the integrated border management solution provides for the collection and use of information and intelligence analysis to protect a country at its borders.  FIGS. 6 through 9  illustrate examples of the process flow associated within each of the four primary quadrants illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In each example, information is stored in, or retrieved from, a case database that maintains case materials, biometric information, and provides alerts under certain circumstances. The case database is interconnected with various other databases, such as other border management agency databases, INS databases, other law enforcement databases, and other government databases. With the information gathered from the various available databases, intelligence may be developed in conjunction with the information stored in the case database. The collected information and intelligence developed within the integrated border management system provides enhanced capabilities for protecting a country&#39;s borders. 
         [0088]      FIG. 6  illustrates an overview of the process flow for an applicant through the requests and applications quadrant  520  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the requests and applications process overview  600  provides for request or application preparation  610 , an interview with the applicant  620 , a decision regarding the request or application based on the application information and interview  630 , an approval process  640 , a denial process  650 , and a referral process  660 . 
         [0089]    In  FIG. 6 , the requests and applications process  600  begins with the preparation of an application or request  610 . Accordingly, an applicant  612  prepares the application or request  614  and submits it to the case database of the integrated border management solution. As described above, the applicant  612  prepares the application or request at any of the available customer channels  550 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0090]    Once the appropriate application or request  614  is completed, the applicant schedules and attends a review and interview  620 . During the interview  620 , the applicant presents identification and any required supporting documentation  622 . In a further embodiment, the customer may also be required to provide a biometric signature  624 . Biometric information  624  may include, for example, fingerprints or an iris scan. 
         [0091]    During the interview  620  a border management interviewer  626  reviews the materials provided, including any details of a particular request, any associated paperwork, and any case history that has been developed, as well as interviews the applicant. During the interview  620 , the border management interviewer  626  may access information located on the case database of the border management solution through the interviewer&#39;s workstation or other computing or communications device  628 . Using the border management solution the interviewer may identify any related cases or alerts, and record his or her notes from the interview. Any additional information provided by the applicant and collected through the review and interview  620  is also entered into the case database. 
         [0092]    After the review and interview  620 , a decision  630  is rendered regarding the application or request  614 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the decision  630  may be one of three options. Namely, a case can be approved  632 , denied  634 , or referred for additional processing  636 . If approved  632 , the case moves to approval processing  640  where the approval is recorded in the case database  642  and the appropriate documentation  644 , such as a visa or passport, is created. The preparation of documentation is also recorded into the case database. 
         [0093]    In the event a request or application is denied  634 , the case moves through the denial processing  650  where the denial is recorded in the case database  652  and the case is referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency  654 . 
         [0094]    An appeal  660  is also available for those wishing to challenge the denial  634 . In the case of an appeal  660  the applicant returns to a border management interviewer  626  for further processing, wherein new information is provided. The new information is also entered into the case database, and the application process repeats from that point. 
         [0095]    In the case of a referral for additional review  636 , the applicant is scheduled for additional reviews, interviews, or other follow-up appointments, for example a doctor&#39;s visit. The applicant returns to the border management interviewer  626  for further processing. Any new information is provided and entered into the case database and the application process repeats from that point. 
         [0096]    Throughout the processing of a request or application, the information input into the database, such as case details, biometrics, and alerts, may be combined with data from other internal and external databases. This combined information provides additional resources and intelligence with which a decision regarding the request or application can be based. 
         [0097]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps for an applicant through the requests and applications quadrant  520  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the process begins with a form completion step  702  in which an applicant completes an application or request form. In the form entry step  704  the information provided by the applicant is entered into the case database of the border management solution. After the applicant completes the application, the applicant schedules an interview with a border management inspector in the schedule interview step  706 . 
         [0098]    At the scheduled time, the applicant meets with the inspector during the attend interview step  710 . The applicant attends interview step  710  includes additional sub-steps for the collection of additional information, a review of the provided information and an interview with the applicant. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the applicant attends interview step  710  includes the following sub-steps: applicant presents supporting documentation sub-step  7102 , record biometric signature sub-step  7104 , interviewer reviews provided information sub-step  7106 , interviewer identifies related cases or alerts sub-step  7108 , interviewer conducts interview sub-step  7110 , and interviewer records notes into case database sub-step  7112 . 
         [0099]    The applicant presents supporting documentation sub-step  7102  provides the applicant an opportunity to provide any requested or additional materials supporting the application or request. The most basic of which may be proper identification in order to verify that the applicant is attending the proper interview. Additional supporting documentation may include a passport or any other previously generated travel documents. 
         [0100]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, the record biometric signature sub-step  7104  provides an opportunity to collect biometric information, such as fingerprints, an iris scan, or other unique identifying information. The biometric signature is stored with the applicant&#39;s data on the case database and may be retrieved at any time to verify the applicant&#39;s identity. 
         [0101]    The interviewer then reviews the materials provided by the applicant in the interviewer reviews provided information sub-step  7106 . The interviewer may also identify and retrieve related materials in the interviewer identifies related cases or alerts sub-step  7108 . 
         [0102]    Once the available information is collected and reviewed by the interviewer, the interviewer interviews the applicant in the interviewer conducts interview sub-step  7110 . Any notes or additional information gleaned from the interview are then recorded in the case database in the interviewer records notes into case database sub-step  7112 . 
         [0103]    Once an interview is completed, a decision on the application is then made in the decision step  720 . The decision step  720  may include an approval of the application sub-step  7210 , a denial of the application sub-step  7220 , or a referral for additional follow-up sub-step  7230 . For an application that is approved in the approval of the application sub-step  7210  the approval is recorded in the case database in the record approval sub-step  7212  and the appropriate travel document is generated in the create document sub-step  7214 . 
         [0104]    For an application that is denied in the denial of the application sub-step  7220 , the denial and reasons for the denial are recorded in the case database in the record denial and reason sub-step  7222 . In some instances, a denied application is referred to law enforcement in the refer applicant to law enforcement sub-step  7224 . 
         [0105]    An applicant whose application is denied also has an opportunity to appeal the decision in the appeal decision sub-step  7226 . In the appeal decision sub-step  7226 , the applicant is allowed to schedule an additional interview and repeat the attend interview step  710 . The applicant would be encourage to provide additional supporting information address any deficiencies or issues noted in the record denial and reason sub-step  7222 . 
         [0106]    An application that is not in a position for approval or denial may be referred for additional review or information in the referral for additional review or follow-up sub-step  7230 . In this follow-up sub-step  7230 , the applicant is provided with specific items requiring additional review, interviews, or follow-up. For example, an applicant may be required to obtain additional supporting documentation, complete a medical exam, or receive required inoculations. During the follow-up sub-step  7232 , an applicant collects the required information or complies with the specified requirements, and schedules an additional interview. 
         [0107]    It can be appreciated that an application for a visa, asylum, or other travel or immigration document will follow the same pattern as that outlined above. It can be further appreciated that a request for shipping of trade will also be processed in a manner similar to that of the immigrant or traveler applicant described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . For example, a shipper will submit an application or request, schedule an interview, and provide any additional supporting information at the interview. 
         [0108]    The shipper&#39;s application or request will be reviewed along with the supporting paperwork and any case history available from the border management solution. A decision will also be processed allowing or denying a shipment, or referring the application or request for further processing. As with a traveler or immigrant&#39;s application, all information collected during the process will be recorded into the case database of the border management solution. 
         [0109]      FIG. 8  illustrates an overview of the process flow for a passenger through the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant  510  of the integrated border management solution  50 , shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  includes an overview of the entry processing  800  for an entry passenger  822  and exit processing  850  for an exit passenger  852 . 
         [0110]    As depicted in  FIG. 8 , entry processing  800  provides for the advance collection of flight manifest data  810 , a review and interview process  820 , and a decision process  840 . Departure processing  850  provides for the collection and review of documents prior to departure. 
         [0111]    The collection of flight manifest  810  involves receiving an advance copy of a passenger manifest. The manifest information is entered into the integrated border management case database. 
         [0112]    The review and interview process  820  begins when an entry passenger  822  arrives at an airport terminal and presents his or her documentation  824  to an inspector  826 . The inspector  826  reviews the presented documentation  824 , along with any case file, and interviews the passenger. Information collected by the inspector  826  is entered into the case database using the inspector&#39;s computing device  828 . The entry passenger&#39;s identity is also verified by comparing information presented by the entry passenger  822  with that stored on the case database. 
         [0113]    Identity verification may be made through any traditional method, as well as by comparing biometric information  830  obtained from the entry passenger  822  and comparing it with biometric information previously provided by the entry passenger  822 . A decision  840  is made on an entry passenger&#39;s entry status after the collected information has been reviewed and verified. The passenger&#39;s arrival can be accepted  842 , or denied  844 . The entry traveler&#39;s entry status, whether accepted or denied, is then entered into the case database. A denied entry traveler is also referred to border enforcement entities. 
         [0114]    While exit processing  850  is a much shorter process than entry processing  800 , ensuring accurate border management record keeping, as well as ensuring the ability to alert law enforcement agencies to a particular traveler of interest, are also important border management functions. Exit processing  850  simply involves the exit passenger  852  presenting his or herself for departure and presenting departure documentation  854 . The departure documentation  854  is then scanned and the exit passenger&#39;s departure is recorded in the case database. 
         [0115]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a detailed view of the entry processing steps of an entry passenger through the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant  510  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the detailed example shown in  FIG. 9A , the passenger entry process begins with the receipt of an advance passenger manifest in the receive and store advance passenger manifest step  910 . In step  910  the advance manifest is received prior to the arrival of an entry passenger listed on the manifest and the information contained in the manifest is stored in the case database. 
         [0116]    The process continues when an entry passenger arrives in step  920 . Upon arrival, the entry passenger begins an inspector&#39;s interview in the inspector&#39;s interview step  930 . The inspector&#39;s interview step  930  begins the applicant presenting his or her travel documentation in the present documentation sub-step  9302 . The entry passenger&#39;s passport is scanned in the scan passport step  9304 . 
         [0117]    The inspector reviews the entry passenger&#39;s paperwork and case history in the review paperwork sub-step  9306 . The inspector then interviews the entry passenger in the passenger interview sub-step  9308 . The inspector will also verify the entry passenger&#39;s identity in the verify identity sub-step  9310 . In a further embodiment, the verify identity sub-step  9310  includes the verification of the entry passenger&#39;s identity by collecting biometric signature information from the entry passenger, such as fingerprints or an iris scan. 
         [0118]    Once the inspector&#39;s interview step  930  is completed a decision is made in the decision step  940 . An approval of entry may be made in the approve arrival sub-step  9410 , or a denial of entry may be made in the deny arrival sub-step  9420 . Upon approval of entry in the approve arrival sub-step  9410 , the entry passenger&#39;s arrival is recorded in the case database in the record arrival sub-step  9412 . 
         [0119]    In the event that a passenger&#39;s entry is denied in the deny arrival sub-step  9420 , the denial is recorded in the case database in the record denial sub-step  9422 . After recording the denial, a referral of the case is made to border enforcement in the referral to border enforcement sub-step  9424 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a detailed view of the exit processing steps of a departing passenger through the immigrants, travelers, and trade quadrant  510  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 9B , the exit processing  950  begins when a departing passenger presents himself or herself for departure in the passenger presents for departure step  952 . The departing passenger&#39;s departure card is collected in the collect departure card step  954 , and the departing passenger&#39;s passport is scanned in the scan passport step  956 . The passenger&#39;s departure is then recorded into the case database in the record departure step  958 . 
         [0121]    It can be appreciated that the import and export of trade will be processed in a manner similar to that of a passenger as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 A, and  9 B. For example, upon entry of trade, a shipper will submit paperwork for review with a border management inspector, and provide any additional supporting information during the inspection. 
         [0122]    The shipper&#39;s application or request will be reviewed along with the supporting paperwork and any case history available from the border management solution. A decision will also be processed allowing or denying a shipment, or referring the application or request for further processing. As with a traveler&#39;s or immigrant&#39;s application, all information collected during the process will be recorded into the case database of the border management solution. 
         [0123]      FIG. 10  illustrates an overview of the process flow through the detection and enforcement quadrant  530  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. During the process, information is collected and entered into the case database in a number of ways. In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , information is collected from an advance copy of a passenger manifest  1010  or from an arriving passenger&#39;s review and interview with an inspector  1020 . 
         [0124]    From this and other information, alerts and referrals may be generated, which in turn prompt an alert  1032 . For example, matching a passenger&#39;s name, biometric data or other identifying information with an alert or watch list generates an alert or watch list trigger prompting an alert  1032 . An inspector may also generate a referral for an investigation based on an entry interview, irregular documentation, or other suspicious behavior, which also prompts an alert  1032 . Additionally, an enforcement officer  1034  investigating an alert may propagate an additional alert regarding a specific case to additional enforcement officers. In the event of a passenger match with an alert or watch list, an inspector&#39;s referral, or an officer&#39;s alert, the alert  1032  is propagated to enforcement officer  1034  via various communications devices, such as cell phones, pagers, or other computer and communication devices. 
         [0125]    Based on the alert  1032 , an officer  1034  may initiate an investigation using a computing device  1036 , such as a laptop, handheld, or workstation connected with the case database. Using the border management system, the investigation may include reviewing case files, notes, and related cases, reviewing a passenger&#39;s documentation, or accessing other law enforcement applications. An enforcement officer  1034  may also initiate further fact-finding investigations, such as initiating additional interviews with passengers. As discussed above, the officer  1034  may also issue additional alerts  1032 , if necessary. 
         [0126]    Based on the officer&#39;s investigation and review, a decision  1040  allowing entry  1044  or denying entry  1042  may be made. The denial or clearance of a passenger is then recorded into the national case database. 
         [0127]    When a passenger is denied entry  1042 , a photograph  1050  is taken and biometric information  1052  is collected. The photograph  1050  and the biometric information  1052  are entered into the case database. The denied passenger&#39;s name may also be added to an alert or watch list within the case database. 
         [0128]      FIG. 11  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps alerting an officer of a passenger through the detection and enforcement quadrant  530  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 11  an alert step  1130  notifies an officer or officers of a particular situation requiring investigation. An alert step  1130  may be generated from an alert or watch list trigger step  1110 , a referral step  1120 , or an officer&#39;s alert step  1170 . 
         [0129]    An alert or watch list trigger step  1110  may be generated when an advanced passenger manifest is received in the receive advance passenger manifest step  1112 . The information contained in the advance manifest is compared against alert and watch lists maintained on the case database in the compare manifest step  1114 . A match of the manifest information and an alert of watch list triggers and alert in the alert or watch list trigger step  1110 . It can be appreciated that an advance passenger manifest is not the only type of information entered into the case database that will be compared to the alert and watch lists. In a further embodiment any information entered into the case database providing names or other identifying information may be able to generate an alert or watch list trigger. 
         [0130]    A referral for an alert generated in the referral step  1120  may be based on information collected in a number of situations. For example, a referral may be generated by information collected in an entry interview in the entry interview step  1122 , irregular documentation discovered in the irregular documentation step  1124 , a name or biometric match with alter or watch lists in the name or biometric match step  1126 , or when suspicious behavior is noticed in the suspicious behavior step  1128 . 
         [0131]    Once an alert is triggered in step  1130 , an officer reviews case files, notes, and related cases in the officer review step  1132 . Passengers may also be interviewed in the interview passenger step  1134 . The officer may review the passenger&#39;s documentation in the review documentation step  1136 . The officer my also access other law enforcement applications, for example a national crime information center (“NCIC”), for additional investigation in the access other law enforcement applications step  1138 . 
         [0132]    Upon investigating an alert step  1130 , a decision may be reached in the decision step  1140 . In the decision step  1140  a passenger may be cleared in the clear passenger step  1150 , or the passenger may be denied entry in the deny entry step  1160 . For a passenger that is cleared in the clear passenger step  1150 , the case and any notes made during the investigation are recorded in the case database in the record case and decision notes step  1152 . The decision to clear the passenger is also recorded in the case database in the record decision step  1154 . 
         [0133]    For a passenger that is denied entry in the deny entry step  1160 , the denial is recorded in the record denial step  1162 , a photograph of the passenger is taken and recorded in the case database in the record photo step  1164 . In a further embodiment, a biometric signature is also recorded in the case database in the record biometric data step  1166 . The passenger&#39;s name is also added to the appropriate alert or watch list in the add passenger&#39;s name step  1168 . 
         [0134]    In the event that additional assistance is needed, a officer may generate an additional alert to other officers in the generate alert step  1170 . The generate alert step  1170  alerts additional enforcement officers of a particular situation and allows for additional assistance in an investigation. 
         [0135]    It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the detection and enforcement of imported and exported trade will be processed in a manner similar to that of a traveler as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 10 , and  11 . 
         [0136]    It can be appreciated that the detection and enforcement of trade will be processed in a manner similar to that of a passenger as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . For example, alerts and referrals are generated based upon information regarding a shipper or a specific shipment or package. An enforcement officer is alerted to a particular situation allowing for an investigation. An officer may generate a referral or make a decision on the status of a shipment based upon an investigation. As with a traveler, all information collected throughout the detection, investigation, and decision processes is recorded in the case database of the integrated border management solution. 
         [0137]      FIG. 12  illustrates an overview of the process flow of an investigation of a passenger through the investigation and intelligence quadrant  540  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention. In this example, a border enforcement officer  1210  collects, reviews, and analyzes border intelligence. Border intelligence  1220  is developed by the collection and analysis of information maintained in the case database in combination with other internal or external databases. Border intelligence  1220  includes advance passenger information  1222 , denied passenger information  1224 , alerts and watch lists  1226 , case patterns  1228 , tips  1230 , and expired visa and overstay information  1232 . 
         [0138]    Through intelligence analysis, border intelligence  1220  is generated that indicates that a certain action  1240  should be taken, such as an investigation  1242 , a new pattern exists warranting additions to alert or watch lists  1244 , or a new case should be created and assigned to follow up on overstays  1246 . The information maintained on the national case database, as well as the intelligence generated by the border management solution, is accessible to border enforcement officials through various computing devices, such as law enforcement workstations, and mobile computing devices. 
         [0139]      FIG. 13  illustrates a detailed view of the processing steps of using border intelligence through the investigation and intelligence quadrant  540  of the integrated border management solution  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention. The process of using border intelligence step  1300  begins with the collection of border intelligence step  1310 . Border intelligence is derived from various sources, including advance passenger information, denied passenger information, alerts and watch lists, case patterns, tips, and expired visas and overstays. 
         [0140]    Once border intelligence is collected, an enforcement officer may review the border intelligence in the review border intelligence step  1320 . The border intelligence may also be analyzed in the analyze border intelligence step  1330 . 
         [0141]    From the collection, review and analysis of border intelligence, steps  1310 ,  1320 , and  1330 , further investigation and intelligence may be developed. For example, intelligence may trigger an investigation step  1340 . When an investigation is triggered, an enforcement officer may use NCIC, computer assisted passenger pre-screening (“CAPPS II”), or other law enforcement applications to help build additional information regarding a particular situation. The add to alert or watch lists step  1350  provides the ability to add names to an alert or watch list when border intelligence reveals new patterns of behavior. The create and assign cases step  1360  provides the ability for an enforcement officer to use border intelligence to create and assign cases for those travelers with expired visas or overstays. 
         [0142]    It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the investigation and intelligence of imported and exported trade will be processed in a manner similar to that of a traveler as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 12 , and  13 . 
         [0143]    It can be appreciated that the investigation and intelligence of trade will be processed in a manner similar to that of a passenger as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . For example, intelligence regarding a shipper or a specific shipment or package is collected and monitored. Intelligence will trigger investigations, additions to alert or watch lists, and follow-up inquiries for other specific situations. An investigating officer will have access to data maintained on the case database of the integrated border management solution, as well as other law enforcement data and applications. All information developed regarding a shipper, a shipment, or a particular package will be added to information maintained on the case database. 
         [0144]      FIG. 14  shows the intelligence infrastructure  1400  used for collecting and analyzing border enforcement data according to an embodiment of the present invention. The intelligence infrastructure includes an end user access device  1410 , a security and integration open architecture layer  1420 , a command and control element  1430 , a smart messaging element  1440  a border management data store  1450 , a risk assessment element  1460 , an aggregation engine  1470 , and additional data sources  1480 . 
         [0145]    A border enforcement officer obtains information and intelligence through the intelligence infrastructure  1400  using an end user access device  1410 . An end user access device  1410  may include any computing or communications device. For example, a desktop or laptop computer, or a mobile device, such as a handheld computer, a pager, or a cell phone. 
         [0146]    A security and integration open architecture layer  1420  provides security for the intelligence infrastructure  1400 . The security and integration open architecture  1420  is positioned between and provides the communication path for the internal system and any external devices used in the intelligence infrastructure, such as the end user access devices  1410  and external data sources  1480 . Through this communication path access to the applications and data maintained on the intelligence infrastructure  1400  is monitored. 
         [0147]    The command and control layer  1430  allows interaction with the applications providing information maintained in or accessible from the border management solution. In one embodiment, applications are available for communication  1432 , investigations  1434 , and other functions  1436 . The communications applications  1432  may include alerts, security dashboard output, and reporting. The investigations applications  1434  may include case management, case crawler, analysis and intelligence tools, and queries. The investigation applications  1434  are also interconnected with the smart messaging layer  1440 . 
         [0148]    The smart message layer  1440  provides specified information and format to the interactions with the intelligence data. In one embodiment of the present invention, the smart messaging layer  1440  accesses and interacts with the border management data store  1450  and the risk assessment functionality  1460 . 
         [0149]    The border management data store  1450  includes various layers of information used within the intelligence infrastructure  1400 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, data maintained on the border management data store  1450  includes the border management active data warehouse  1452 , meta data  1454 , real-time information  1456 , and historical data  1458 . The border management data store  1450  is also accessible from the risk assessment element  1460 . 
         [0150]    The risk assessment element  1460  generates intelligence regarding a specific case or situation. Risk assessment applies neural networks and rules-based algorithms to data collected from the border management data store  1450  and from the additional data sources  1480 , including government data sources  1482  and non-government data sources  1484 . The risk assessment element  1460  generates knowledge and intelligence from the collected information and reports that knowledge and intelligence to the end user  1410  and updates the border management data store  1460  with any new information. 
         [0151]    Before the information collected from the additional data sources is used by the risk assessment element  1460  if first passes through the security and integration open architecture  1420 , as discussed above, as well as through the aggregation engine  1470 . The aggregation engine  1470  synthesizes the information from the multiple data sources into a coherent collection of information. 
         [0152]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided that they come within the scope of any claims and their equivalents.