Beirut Case Study

Matthew Borie

Chief Intelligence Officer

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Matthew Borie

Chief Intelligence Officer

As Chief Intelligence Officer, Matt provides strategic direction for Osprey’s data collection and analytical output, as well as expert analysis on a wide range of aviation-related issues, with a focus on conflict zone activity.

He has 14 years of aviation security and intelligence experience in the public and private sectors. Previously, Matt worked as an intelligence analyst at the MedAire & Control Risks Aviation Security Center. Prior to that, he completed an eight-year enlistment in the US Air Force, serving as an Operations Intelligence Craftsman. During his Air Force career, Matt provided intelligence support to fighter aircraft operations, including a deployment to a location in Southeast Asia; he also completed deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Matt holds an Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees in Intelligence Studies from American Military University (AMU) and, in August 2015, completed a Master’s Degree in National Security Studies from AMU, followed by a Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies in December 2017.

On 14th February 2019, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) completed an audit of Rafic Hariri International Airport, Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanese authorities indicated that the ICAO audit had identified security deficiencies at the installation. The airport issued a statement regarding the issues: “following the instructions of the ICAO and in wake of the security inspection team’s input, additional security measures will be taken regarding passenger carriages leaving the airport, pending the implementation of alternative security measures that will facilitate passengers’ flow to the departure hall”.

Osprey:Explore tells the story from the data

In the situation above, there were clear indicators that such a significant regulatory event was likely. Osprey:Explore tells the story from the data.

During January 2019; the month prior to the ICAO audit, operational incidents at Rafic Hariri International Airport increased over 100% from the previous month. In addition, the number operational incidents at Rafic Hariri International Airport during January 2019 were over 50% higher than both the prior 3 and/or 4 month averages. During the month of the ICAO audit; February 2019, the number of operational incidents at Rafic Hariri International Airport matched the total from the high water mark of the month prior in January 2019, indicating a documented change in the aviation security environment at the installation.

The Osprey:Explore interface allows aviation operators to quickly and easily look at these data trends and monitor them over time in order to identify these risks early and avoid them.