Harnessing big data for national security: A review of information systems and emerging technologies in the U.S

The rapid growth of big data and emerging technologies has fundamentally transformed the national security landscape, enabling governments to leverage vast amounts of information for decision-making, threat detection, and operational effectiveness. This review explores the integration of big data analytics into U.S. national security systems, focusing on the technological innovations that facilitate real-time data processing, secure communications, and predictive analytics. Key emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, are evaluated for their role in enhancing intelligence gathering, cybersecurity, and surveillance operations. Furthermore, the paper examines the foundational principles of big data in national security, detailing its data sources, types, and uses in both structured and unstructured forms. While these advancements present significant opportunities, they also pose challenges related to privacy, ethics, policy, and legal frameworks, which are critical for ensuring that the implementation of such technologies aligns with democratic values and security objectives. The paper concludes by highlighting future research directions, emphasizing the need for continued development in big data infrastructure, governance, and ethical considerations to fully harness its potential in protecting national interests.