Toward the Design of a Robust Bioterrorism Information System to Enhance National Security

Leila  Shokrizadeh Arani

doi:10.18502/ahit.v2i1.6162

Leila Shokrizadeh Arani Ph.D. in Health Information Management, Health Information Management Research Center (HIMRC), Department of Health Information Management, School of allied medical sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ahit.v2i1.6162

Keywords: Information systems; Bioterrorism; Bio-surveillance; security; Disease outbreaks

Abstract

In an objective sense, security measures the absence of threats to acquired values, whereas, in a subjective sense, it refers to the absence of fear that such values will be attacked. Bioterrorism is a threat. Therefore, any threat to the country's vital goals and security components, such as population, land, and property, is a national security threat.

Establishing a robust information system is critical for detecting Bioterrorism outbreak, which is considered a threat to national security. Real-time surveillance and monitoring, fast communication, data collection, and analysis at the regional and national level are the main functions of this information system.

Early detection of bioterrorism is an important step in national security promotion. If the BIS is appropriately designed based on critical factors such as multidimensional, real-time, manage by the security agency, and have the capability for pattern recognition and detection, it will more effectively manage bioterrorism attacks by relying on its capabilities, features, and technologies. Therefore, this study investigates the features and capabilities of the Bioterrorism Information System (BIS) in national security improvement and promotion.