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An EPIC Ending to Intelligence App Challenge

A spirited competition generates a winning entry that taps open-source data.

Jim Cannaliato of Engineering Solutions Inc. (l) receives a $3,000 check for his company’s winning entry in the EPIC App challenge. Presenting the check is AFCEA Intelligence Committee member Joe Schmank of Microsoft Azure Government Cloud.

A challenge to develop an intelligence app concluded with software that uses neural networks to predict social unrest around the world. Sponsored by the AFCEA Emerging Professionals in Intelligence Committee (EPIC) and the Cyber Council of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, the challenge awarded a total of $6,000 to three firms tasked with developing a software solution to a problem currently confronted by the intelligence community.

The winning entry was put forth by Engineering Solutions Inc. and its team of three experts. The neural network approach will help intelligence analysts predict major world events before they occur, which will assist geopolitical and economic experts. The judges offered that they were impressed with the practicality and innovativeness of the company’s approach, which earned the winning team a prize of $3,000.

Two other entries won prizes of $2,000 and $1,000 for finishing second and third, respectively. Second place went to IEA Corp., and third went to NuWave Solutions. All the competing teams had only 10 days to create an appropriate application that took advantage of open-source data sets such as natural disasters, social unrest, cyber attacks and disease patterns. Teams were limited to no more than five members.

The judging results were announced and awards presented at the Intelligence and National Security Summit (INSS) held in Maryland earlier this month.