Technical Inquiries (TIs)

The core function of CSIAC is to answer technical questions using our in-house technical personnel, vast DoD information resources, and our extensive network of subject matter experts (SMEs). CSIAC has technical staff available to conduct technical research in order to give you a head start on your analysis or study in any of our technical focus areas. We offer a free 4-hour TI research service or, for slightly larger research efforts, we offer an extended technical inquiry (ETI) service.

Technical Inquiry Features

Our TIs include the following to help you with your research:

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Literature Searches

A curated bibliography given a technical topic

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Document Requests

Dissemination of technical reports to authorized users

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SME Referrals

Contacts and connections with relevant, technical SMEs

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Free Technical Inquiry Services

CSIAC’s free TI service offers 4 hours of free research per inquiry on any topic within our technical focus areas. Typical TI efforts may include answering technical questions, literature searches, document requests, or referrals to SMEs. Completed responses are compiled and delivered to the inquirer in less than 10 business days. Registered users can submit TIs online through the provided form or by phone.

Submit A Technical Inquiry

Extended Technical Inquiry (ETI) Services

ETIs are externally funded research efforts that go slightly beyond 4 research hours. ETIs require between 5 and 160 technical hours of research, with a $50K maximum ceiling and period of performance up to 2 months.

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Notable Inquiries

Notable TIs are findings and/or summaries of responses to the most recent and impactful technical inquiries submitted by CSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support.

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Filter by Technical Focus Areas

By default, only content within your selected technical focus areas is displayed throughout the site. You can update your technical focus areas in your profile or temporarily filter the content here.

Challenges in Applying the Law of Armed Conflict to Cyberwar

Given the United States-Russian bilateral recommendation from the 47th Munich Security Conference, what are some of the foreseen challenges in applying the law of armed conflict to cyberwar?

Commercially Available Firewalls

Which firewalls are currently available commercially?

Commercially Available Vulnerability Assessment Tools

Which vulnerability assessment tools are currently commercially available?

Current Malware Threats and Mitigation

What are the current malware threats we are facing, and how can we mitigate against them?

Example Inquiries

Example TIs are samples of the wide range of technical inquiries submitted by CSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support. They are intended to show the breadth of information requests we receive.

What is known about automated extraction of data and metadata from hand-written lab notebooks?

April 1, 2024

What databases have geometry files for blue and red force aircraft and ground vehicle models in OBJ, 3DS, STL, or other formats?

March 28, 2024

Can a "splunk report" be used to identify which users access a website to target specific groups of upcoming changes, and how can it be obtained?

March 28, 2024

What are the state-of-the-art use cases for augmented/virtual/extended reality in aviation maintenance?

March 7, 2024

What efforts are currently being worked for quantum antennas on U.S. Department of Defense platforms?

March 5, 2024

What software/middleware creates virtual and constructive cyber effects in live, virtual, and constructive testing and training events?

February 13, 2024