A couple of issues ago, I took a look at some of the best Google projects out there. We looked a variety of things from crisis tracking to the monitoring or endangered languages. This week I am looking at some of the tech solutions that will amaze anyone who loves big data and security. These projects are generally designed with the help of Google and its partnerships with various NGOs and academic groups.

The goals are to create open source solutions to real world problems, or create an increased amount of awareness of a problem. Ultimately, the output is almost always visually stunning.
 

Mapping global small arms and ammunition exports and imports.

Global illicit networks are worth big money. Everything from drug smuggling and arms dealing to human trafficking and organ harvesting, can generate about $2.1 trillion each year (Sri Lanka’s entire GDP is USD 59.42billion as of 2012).

However, the flow of small arms is probably the most devastating element. So the Google Data Arts team, in partnership with various INGOs, has put together a brilliant representation of the flow of arms and ammunition covering 250 states and territories.

Users can select any country and look at data between the period of 1992-2011. I know that not everyone will find this particular type of information useful but the data representation is amazing.
 

Digital Attack Map

The growing amount of digital attacks across the world is not surprising but comprehending the sheer volume in real-time can be mind-boggling. If you are interesting in online security, you are going to love this data visualisation which tracks and illustrates digital attacks across the globe.

Interestingly, this also includes a lot of data on attacks that have not recived wide-spread media attention. If you are doing any research, this tool will certainly come in handy.

By Navam Niles