Will SensorNet Protect The U.S.?

By Roland Piquepaille

Have you heard about SensorNet? This is a "system of systems" designed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), based on millions on sensors and intended to protect you from chemical, biological or radiological dangers. Theoretically!! Right now, it's been deployed in Tennessee, but the Department of Homeland Security is seriously looking at it to expand it in the entire United States. ORNL issued this news release, "SensorNet proposed as system to protect millions nationwide," about two weeks ago. But, ironically, the ORNL website was unreachable for more than a week.

Already, sensors that are part of Oak Ridge National Laboratory's SensorNet are deployed in Nashville, Knoxville and Oak Ridge, and in other parts of the nation. Additional sensors are planned for Memphis, Chattanooga and Sullivan County in Upper East Tennessee. ORNL project managers envision more being added in the next few years, eventually spanning the state with sensors that would alert emergency responders and the public if they were in danger of being exposed to water or airborne hazards.

Here is how ORNL thinks all these bits of information will be tied together (Credit: ORNL). A larger image is available here (1258 x 846 pixels, 785 KB).

As you can see, this syetem will be deployed nationally.

Nationally, the system would combine assets from government and private sectors to provide state-of-the-art sensors and remote telemetry by strategically locating and connecting remote sensors on or at existing commercial and government facilities. Critical information then can be sent simultaneously to incident management centers at the local, state and national levels within minutes of an event.

First responders would know the critical details of the event, including assessment of the chemical or biological hazards as well as levels of radiological releases. In addition, emergency management personnel would know the projected path of the plume in time to take corrective action. Furthermore, it is possible to rapidly deploy a nationwide SensorNet system because much of the technology and infrastructure already exist.

Additional information about this program can be found on this SensorNet page at ORNL.

Anyway, will SensorNet be good for your protection and bad for your privacy? Time will tell.

Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory news release, March 12, 2004