Forcepoint Case Studies Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

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	Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Forcepoint

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Forcepoint

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Big Data Analytics Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
Applicable Functions	Business Operation
Use Cases	Search & Rescue
Services	Data Science Services
Challenge	The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has been a gateway for Americans to access data and knowledge maintained by government agencies since the 1960s. However, the system has become a victim of its own success, with over 550,000 requests annually, overwhelming the fifteen U.S. departments and agencies that receive 90 percent of all such requests. The departments were struggling with the timeliness of their responses, effectiveness of their communications and facilitation of information flow to citizens. One department, which received more than 22,000 FOIA requests in fiscal year 2012, was spending an average of 33 days to respond to a request, with 22 of those days devoted to locating the required data. The department was seeking a solution to enhance its search capabilities and reduce response time. Read More
About Customer	The customer in this case study is a U.S. government department that receives a significant number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In fiscal year 2012, this department received more than 22,000 FOIA requests. To accommodate the demand, the department employs nearly 375 FOIA specialists either on a full-time or part-time basis. The department was struggling with the timeliness of their responses, with specialists spending an average of 33 days to respond to a request. The department was seeking a solution to enhance its search capabilities and reduce response time. Read More
Solution	In October of 2014, the department turned to Forcepoint and its SureView Analytics solution to address the concerns. SureView Analytics is a proven, Big Data analytics and information sharing enterprise platform. Its search capability gives users instant access to all existing data which can provide a completely inclusive picture of a FOIA request. With leading-edge federated searching, it swiftly connects any number of remote data sources – such as internal or external databases, websites, emails and documents – to capture actionable results in seconds. The solution has a very low Total Cost of Ownership, is quickly deployed, and eliminates massive data duplication. Because SureView Analytics has a customizable web interface tailored to automate repeatable search procedures, queries are executed quickly and easily, with little user interaction and fast inter-agency adoption. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Big Data Analytics

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Use Cases

Search & Rescue

Services

Data Science Services

Challenge

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has been a gateway for Americans to access data and knowledge maintained by government agencies since the 1960s. However, the system has become a victim of its own success, with over 550,000 requests annually, overwhelming the fifteen U.S. departments and agencies that receive 90 percent of all such requests. The departments were struggling with the timeliness of their responses, effectiveness of their communications and facilitation of information flow to citizens. One department, which received more than 22,000 FOIA requests in fiscal year 2012, was spending an average of 33 days to respond to a request, with 22 of those days devoted to locating the required data. The department was seeking a solution to enhance its search capabilities and reduce response time.

About Customer

The customer in this case study is a U.S. government department that receives a significant number of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. In fiscal year 2012, this department received more than 22,000 FOIA requests. To accommodate the demand, the department employs nearly 375 FOIA specialists either on a full-time or part-time basis. The department was struggling with the timeliness of their responses, with specialists spending an average of 33 days to respond to a request. The department was seeking a solution to enhance its search capabilities and reduce response time.

Solution

In October of 2014, the department turned to Forcepoint and its SureView Analytics solution to address the concerns. SureView Analytics is a proven, Big Data analytics and information sharing enterprise platform. Its search capability gives users instant access to all existing data which can provide a completely inclusive picture of a FOIA request. With leading-edge federated searching, it swiftly connects any number of remote data sources – such as internal or external databases, websites, emails and documents – to capture actionable results in seconds. The solution has a very low Total Cost of Ownership, is quickly deployed, and eliminates massive data duplication. Because SureView Analytics has a customizable web interface tailored to automate repeatable search procedures, queries are executed quickly and easily, with little user interaction and fast inter-agency adoption.

Impact #1	The searches that took 22 days can now be completed within six seconds, reducing personnel hours by 90 percent.
Impact #2	The department will experience limited exposure to litigation and appeals on the part of citizens making the requests.
Impact #3	The solution has a very low Total Cost of Ownership, is quickly deployed, and eliminates massive data duplication.

Impact #1

The searches that took 22 days can now be completed within six seconds, reducing personnel hours by 90 percent.

Impact #2

The department will experience limited exposure to litigation and appeals on the part of citizens making the requests.

Impact #3

The solution has a very low Total Cost of Ownership, is quickly deployed, and eliminates massive data duplication.

Benefit #1	Reduced personnel hours by 90 percent.
Benefit #2	Decreased estimated expenses from $60.5 million to just $5.5 million.
Benefit #3	Anticipated department return on investment, as a result of deploying SureView Analytics, will total nearly $55 million annually.

Benefit #1

Reduced personnel hours by 90 percent.

Benefit #2

Decreased estimated expenses from $60.5 million to just $5.5 million.

Benefit #3

Anticipated department return on investment, as a result of deploying SureView Analytics, will total nearly $55 million annually.

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Overview

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit