
“You don’t know about inclusion until you have been excluded.”

Overwatch Data looks across datasets and geography to highlight the information that’s relevant to a team or company. Instead of focusing on what narratives are trending in the news or social media, we identify what’s most likely to cause an impact. Whether it’s an emerging tactic in financial fraud that has yet to be discussed in the news, or a local paper’s discussion of a protest near a mine that could evolve to affect the battery supply chain, we identify what’s relevant, not what’s viewed the most. With the volume of data posted online, there’s often early indicators of risks or business opportunities, the challenge is quieting the noise.

At Overwatch we find different perspectives in our team and in data, which gives us the opportunity to see the big picture on a single pane of glass. We look at data from around the world, across languages, from big and small sources, and in different formats to identify for what might be relevant to a customer. Then we use techniques from policy analysts and political scientists, the intelligence community, investing, and the tech sector, to understand those events from different lenses.

Amplifying the complete landscape of relevance is more powerful than limiting the dataset to only one perspective. There’s a market inefficiency to discriminatory exclusion. Diversifying a portfolio mitigates risk, and diversifying perspectives provides a larger supply of solutions to solve problems.

This week I got to see many perspectives at the Forbes International Women’s Day Conference in Abu Dhabi for 50 over 50 Women and 30 under 30 Women. The group came from different countries, religions, and industries, from artists to founders to investors, but shared a common goal to learn from each other. To amplify some insightful voices with very different experiences and backgrounds than me:

<ol>
  <li>
    Nazanin Boniadi on the rights of{" "}
    <a href="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2264861/amp">women in Iran</a>
  </li>
  <li>
    Shafiqa Khplwak on the the{" "}
    <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesdigitalcovers/2023/03/07/forbes-3050-summit-2023/?sh=286e3cc554ac">
      rights of women in Afghanistan
    </a>
  </li>
  <li>
    First Lady Olena Zelenska on women in Ukraine during the unspoken violence
    of war [
    <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/ukraines-first-lady-olena-zelenska-travels-united-arab-emirates-country-remains-open-russia">
      1
    </a>
    ] [<a href="https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/olena-zelenska-on-shows-of-strength-from-ukrainian-women-164790341904">
      2
    </a>]
  </li>
</ol>


International Women's Day 2023: Diversifying Data And Perspectives


In this episode of Peers2Peers, Zara Perumal joins the podcast to discuss the dangers of believing your own hype, the importance of gratitude, and how learning to surf reminded her of the importance of being comfortable being uncomfortable.

You can find it on all major platforms:

<ul>
<li>Apple - <a href="https://apple.co/2Zd33L7">apple.co</a></li>

<li>
  Spotify - <a href="https://spoti.fi/3fncWyo">spoti.fi</a>
</li>

<li>Website - <a href="https://thepeersproject.com/ep-238-zara-perumal/">thepeersproject.com</a></li>
</ul>


Zara's interview on gratitude and a founder's journey


Overwatch is excited to support the efforts of the Volta Foundation to shed light on the global battery industry with their 2022 Battery Report. [Volta Foundation - Battery Report](https://www.volta.foundation/annual-battery-report).

The Battery Report summarizes the most significant developments in the battery industry over the past year and provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the latest battery research, policy and business landscape.

Globally, the push to increase adoption of battery technology particularly in electric vehicles continues to grow. But we face significant challenges in ramping up and maintaining the demand for key resources and the supply chain needed to support manufacturing efforts.

Looking at the battery supply chain 3 things stand out:

<ol>
<li>"China continues to dominate the supply chain with Canada a close second"</li>

<li>
  "Lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese are the five key minerals in
  EV batteries. Australia, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
  dominate mining, but China continues to dominate the downstream supply chain"
</li>

<li>"A highly concentrated market poses risk to unforeseen environmental events I.e. earthquakes in Chile"</li>
</ol>

Overwatch’s data intelligence platform has the ability to extract and contextualize information about the global supply chain. Please reach out if you would like to learn more.


The Battery Supply Chain and Volta Foundation's Battery Report  2022


Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Zara shares her experience and tips with [Go Solo (see full interview)](https://gosolo.subkit.com/overwatch-data/).

# What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

<ol>
  <li>
    Find your why: Founding a company is intentionally making your life hard.
    There will be high highs and low lows. Blocking off time before you run into
    those lows on why you are doing this gives you a foundation to fall back on
    when it gets to touch. I try to block out time to think about and write down
    how I hope to contribute to the world and how I hope to grow in this
    experience.
  </li>
  <li>
    Talk to users and find the hair on fire problem: YC's pressure on talking to
    (hundreds) of users and finding the problem that's so urgent for them to
    solve they are willing to take a half-baked solution blew my mind this
    summer. Leaving a big company, I had to unlearn processes that were meant to
    deploy for billions of users. Forcing myself over and over to think about
    how we take the leanest possible approach to get some value to users
    quickly, talk to them, and adjust has been incredibly valuable. It's so
    tempting as a founder to think you have some "magical ideas" that don't need
    to be tested with users. We're always pushing ourselves to stay humble, talk
    to users, and test these assumptions over and over and over.
  </li>
  <li>
    Protect your emotions and stay optimistic. I've found that a negative
    headspace helps me find risks in a solution, while a positive one allows
    more flexibility and creativity to find solutions. As a founder, we have to
    be so creative in the ways we solve problems, from using technology to
    finding people to ally with. Staying on top of hints of burnout, connections
    with co-founders, and tracking sleep have helped me see warning sides in
    advance and keep problem-solving from a creative headspace.
  </li>
</ol>


Go Solo Interviews CTO/ Cofounder Zara Perumal


In this episode, Integrity Institute members [Alice Hunsberger](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicehunsberger/) and [Zara Perumal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zperumal/) talk about mis- and disinformation: how to recognize it and how to contextualize it, both individually and at scale.

We also talk about global risk analysis, the history of the social internet and what’s coming next, and the differences in styles and sophistication levels of disinformation agents and scammers.

Zara, CTO of [Overwatch](https://www.overwatchdata.io/), reflects on her time studying computer science at MIT and pursuing a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence. She previously worked at Google where she worked on Google Assistant, Anti-Abuse Research, and at Google’s Threat Analysis Group whose mission was disrupting state sponsored hacking and disinformation.

Listen here! Or listen on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trust-in-tech-episode-2-global-threat-analysis-with/id1653622883?i=1000586161979) // [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZBHqFX3DyHcKtCyhjHcci?si=3aaf29ed1b0b4b9a) // [Integrity Institute Website](https://integrityinstitute.org/podcast/trust-in-tech-e2-global-threat-analysis)


Integrity Institute Interview with CTO and Co-Founder Zara Perumal


Republished from original in [The Hill](https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3757491-what-launching-a-startup-taught-me-about-foreign-policy/).

There are few ecosystems as far apart as the world of diplomacy, one of the oldest professions in the world, and the fast-paced and risk-taking world of startups. However, while going through the Y Combinator program (YC) as cofounder of Overwatch Data, I found myself reflecting on what the foreign policy establishment, my former home, could learn from the start-up world.

# Understanding the needs of a market

Both startup and foreign policy success requires an understanding of a complex market or geography in order to make an effective intervention. Startups have fresh techniques to test whether the intervention will gain traction. All early-stage startups are trying to find [product/market fit](https://www.ycombinator.com/library/5z-the-real-product-market-fit) — where you develop a product that meets the needs of a large and growing market. Your product is so popular that customers are adopting it far more quickly than you can keep up. While there is no secret sauce, there are methods to help find that fit, including perfecting [interviewing techniques, thoroughly testing assumptions](https://fourminutebooks.com/the-mom-test-summary/), [refining and researching the market](https://review.firstround.com/how-superhuman-built-an-engine-to-find-product-market-fit), and using [agile project management](https://theproductmanager.com/topics/agile-product-management/) to ensure rapid iteration and launches. Start-ups that fail to find product/market fit die a natural death.

Concepts like product/market fit don’t really exist in global, trade, or humanitarian affairs. Granted, the problems and stakeholders are often much more complex; however, there is rarely a clear success metric to strive towards nor a method for rapidly understanding the needs of a polity.

This often results in a focus on too many ‘priorities’ at one time and top-down interventions based on a few ‘expert’ opinions or laborious [randomized controlled trials](https://www.unicef-irc.org/KM/IE/impact_7.php).

A product/market fit approach would prioritize opportunities where there is (1) already a large demand for a solution, (2) existing sub-par solutions, (3) clear and increasing traction, (4) buy-in from foreign governments, and (5) users that would be severely disappointed if your intervention was taken away.

# Skilled immigration policy is central to democratic competitiveness

Former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew reportedly [said](https://www.commentary.org/joseph-nye/optimistic-or-pessimistic-about-america-joseph-nye/) “China can draw on a talent pool of 1.3 billion people, but the United States can draw on a talent pool of 7 billion and recombine them in a diverse culture that enhances creativity in a way that ethnic Han nationalism cannot.”

While I always appreciated the sentiment, I saw how important and broken parts of the U.S. skilled immigration system were in reality. Several YC founders from outside the U.S. are unable to get a visa to attend a single YC event in the US. Statistically, these founders represent the best bet in tech to create useful products and capitalize on the subsequent jobs and economic growth. Immigration policy should be on the agenda of every foreign policy conference

# Big tech does not represent the majority of the tech innovation ecosystem

Tech innovation should be core to our vision of high-value knowledge economies, but the public culture war between governments and big tech companies, especially social media companies and brash VCs, has poisoned the well.

Government delegations to Silicon Valley often meet exclusively with public policy teams at big tech firms, which limits their understanding of how a real tech ecosystem thrives. These companies and their public policy teams are more like governments than they are similar to YC upstarts, who are often pushing the envelope on everything from genetic engineering, to space travel, to productizing machine learning breakthroughs. To understand how to build an innovation ecosystem, policymakers should look beyond big tech companies.

# Pilots are more important than funding for startups

The superpower of successful startups is to learn and adapt quicker than anyone else and nothing accelerates learning as much as working with customers. If we want to see more innovation in risk, humanitarian, peace, security, and supply chain tech, we need to create more opportunities for paid pilots. There are increasingly cyber secure ways to do this, especially through web apps or external APIs that leverage the inbuilt safety features of cloud providers and browsers.

# The power of data and scale

Conducting solely manual analysis, as the field of international affairs is known to do, is a wasted opportunity. With innovations in geo-batch processing, machine learning, and cloud computing, it’s now possible to model parts of the world and understand the flow-on effects of geopolitical events, trends, and decisions in real-time.

That’s one of the reasons why we built [Overwatch Data](https://www.overwatchdata.io/) — to help detect and analyze events as they surface on the web and deep web, and contextualize those events by highlighting their history and layering additional datasets, such as supply chain routes, commodity production sites, and climate change heatmaps.

Founding a startup taught me the importance of skilled migration programs, deep engagement with the innovation ecosystem, using startup products to spur innovation, and leveraging the power of data to better our world.


Op-ed: What launching a startup taught me about foreign policy


Corporations are paying closer attention to supply chain risk - especially risks that originates beyond the walls of a company's direct operations and beyond its Tier-1 suppliers. This is particularly true for multinational corporations that rely on parts and raw materials from suppliers all over the world. For such corporations, adequately preparing for and proactively responding to exogenous supply chain risks has enormous implications for continuity of business operations.

Enter Overwatch - a market intelligence and risk analysis platform for real-time supply chain risk management.

[Read the full report](https://www.refashiond.com/state-of-supply-chain-2022)


Overwatch featured in the State of Supply Chain 2022 (Year in Review)


Welcome to Overwatch Data, a leader in open source intelligence and data extraction technology. Our groundbreaking technology allows organizations to quickly and accurately detect events and extract insights from open source data, including news, deep web, court documents, and social media. We then help contextualize these insights by extracting the key entities involved, layering geospatial data, and creating summaries and timelines.

Our solutions enable organizations mitigate risks but also to stay ahead of the competition, make informed decisions, and find new opportunities. We use advanced artificial intelligence and natural language processing to extract the data from open sources with precision.

We understand that data extraction is a complex process that requires accuracy and precision. That’s why Overwatch Data provides a comprehensive suite of tools and services to help organizations streamline their data extraction processes.

This varies from high-precision feeds and email alerts, through to a global monitoring center. We're a single operating picture for your monitoring needs.

We strive to provide our customers with the best possible solutions to meet their needs all while helping reduce and consolidate their vendor spends. We are excited to be at the forefront of open source intelligence. Please inquire if you'd like to learn more.


Welcome to Overwatch Data's blog!


Zara Perumal wins Forbes 30 Under 30 (2023) title for [Enterprise Technology](https://www.forbes.com/profile/zara-perumal/?sh=788baf984989) category.


Zara, CTO/ Cofounder, wins Forbes 30 Under 30


Arjun Bisen, CEO and Co-Founder of Overwatch Data, was featured in Asialink Business's [Trends of the Year](https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/about-us/business-trends-in-the-year-of-the-rabbit) report, which covers the most crucial yet unappreciated trends that Australian businesses should comprehend when engaging with the region.

Supply chains were a key theme, with the potential of a global recession, an inflationary environment, geopolitical factors, and sustainability considerations increase the complexity for businesses.

Arjun predicted the Indo-Pacific will heat up as the global centre of rare earth mineral competition as small to medium battery companies engage in friendshoring, nearshoring, and reshoring.”

Asia has 3 of the 5 largest producers of rare earth minerals required for battery production (China, Australia, and Indonesia), and the top 3 manufacturers of batteries (China, Japan, and Korea). The already vulnerable battery supply chain could be brought to its knees unless there is significant multilateral effort to mitigate risks.

Read the [full report](https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/about-us/business-trends-in-the-year-of-the-rabbit).


Overwatch Contribution To Asialink's Business Trends for 2023


In the rapidly evolving world of digital threats and defenses, it’s easy to conflate fraud intelligence with standard cyber intelligence. At a cursory glance, both involve the digital realm, are concerned with breaches, and aim to mitigate risks. However, a deeper dive reveals crucial distinctions.

## The Human Element of Fraud

Fraud intelligence primarily focuses on the methodologies employed by humans to defraud individuals or organizations. Unlike cyber intelligence, which often centers on software vulnerabilities, malicious SDKs, or system weaknesses, fraud intelligence zeroes in on the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that malicious actors use. It’s a game of deception, trickery, and social engineering.

## Proactivity Over Reactivity

The essence of understanding the latest fraudulent techniques isn’t just about responding to threats but about taking upstream defensive measures. While cyber intel often finds itself in the reactive position of plugging software vulnerabilities post-discovery, fraud intelligence strives for a proactive stance. It’s about knowing the enemy’s next move before they even make it, and preparing defenses accordingly. By understanding the evolving strategies of fraudsters, companies can preemptively protect their assets and reputation.

## Overwatch’s Innovative Approach to Fraud Intelligence

In navigating this intricate maze of fraud risks, companies need a partner who not only understands the cyber landscape but also the intricacies of human-driven threats. This is where Overwatch stands out.

Leveraging an AI-driven fraud intelligence platform, Overwatch dives deep into a myriad of data sources. From the shadowy corners of the deep web to the bustling activity of the surface and social web, Overwatch’s system is constantly on the prowl.

But what truly sets Overwatch apart is its ability to categorize these threats meticulously. It’s not just about knowing a threat exists; it’s about understanding its nature. For instance, distinguishing between “methods targeting you” and “offers for stolen accounts” can be the difference between proactive defense and crisis management.

Moreover, Overwatch's in-house investigation capabilities offer an added layer of scrutiny. With this dual approach, companies can stay updated on the latest methodologies being peddled by fraudsters, ensuring they remain a step ahead.

## The Takeaway

While both fraud intelligence and cyber intelligence aim to safeguard the digital domain, their methods, focuses, and applications differ vastly. In today’s age, where deception evolves as rapidly as technology, it’s crucial for companies to not just respond, but to anticipate. With partners like Overwatch, businesses can turn intelligence into action, ensuring a safer, more secure digital future.


Fraud Intelligence vs. Cyber Intelligence: The Essential Distinctions


At Overwatch Data, we pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation. Building on our industry-leading LLM-powered platform, we are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking feature: real-time chat with live data.

## What is Real-Time Chat with Data?

In the ever-evolving world of fintech, security, and intel, staying updated is pivotal. Our newly integrated chat feature enables users to interact with breaking events as they unfold. This isn't just about reading the news – it's about engaging with it, asking questions, and deriving actionable insights.

![Real time chat with data](/images/blog/blog14-1.png)

## How Does it Work?

Navigate to the Overwatch Data dashboard and select the "Chat" tab. Instantly, you
can initiate conversations about any of the live events we're monitoring. Delve deep
into ongoing situations, extract summaries, or get a broader perspective on unfolding
trends.

## Why Engage with this Feature?

<ul>
  <li>Real-time insights: React to breaking events as they happen.</li>
  <li>
    Stay informed: Keep your finger on the pulse of global events, emerging
    threats, and trending narratives.
  </li>
  <li>
    Turn data into action: Translate live data into actionable insights that
    empower decision-making.
  </li>
</ul>

## Who Benefits Most?

If you're a professional in fintech, fraud, security, or market intel sectors, this feature is tailor-made for you. It's more than a chat; it's a tool crafted to fortify and propel your business in an unpredictable landscape.

The real-time chat with data is now live and accessible to all Overwatch Data users. Dive in, explore, and let us redefine how you interact with the world's data.

To get started or to learn more, please visit our website or reach out to us directly. Experience the future of data interaction today with Overwatch Data.


Introducing Real-Time Chat with Data: Stay Ahead of Breaking Events with Overwatch Data


The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in an era of unprecedented innovation and possibilities. However, this technological marvel doesn't discriminate between noble and malicious intent. Today, the criminal underworld is rapidly harnessing AI to refine, accelerate, and diversify its fraud techniques.

## AI-Enhanced Check & ID Fraud

At the forefront of this AI-driven fraud wave are check and ID scams:

<ol>
  <li>
    Hyper-Realistic Image Generation: Advanced AI algorithms can produce fake
    check images (such as EZ Check Software), paycheck stubs, or ID cards that
    rival the authenticity of real ones. By crafting these indistinguishable
    replicas, criminals can deceive even the most stringent of banking and
    institutional security systems.
  </li>
  <li>
    AI-Powered Bots: These aren't the simple scripted bots of yesteryear.
    Today's bots are intelligent, adaptable, and relentless. They can bypass OTP
    (one-time password) systems and unleash a barrage of phishing emails and
    texts on unsuspecting individuals. The objective? Extract personal data and
    trick users into venturing down malicious digital pathways.
  </li>
</ol>

## The Rise of Social Engineering Scams

But perhaps, the most alarming development is in the realm of social engineering:

<ol>
  <li>
    Large Language Models (LLMs): LLMs are revolutionizing the way fraudsters
    manipulate human trust. Tools like "Worm GPT" can craft text that is not
    only indistinguishable from genuine human communication but is tailored to
    deceive. Think of it as having a con artist's assistant who's fluent in
    human psychology, culture, and language. These AI-driven models craft
    phishing emails, malware scripts, and other deceptive narratives with
    unnerving precision.
  </li>
  <li>
    Sophisticated Scam Narratives: Gone are the days when scam emails were
    riddled with obvious errors. Modern LLMs create contextually relevant,
    coherent, and convincing stories. Victims are no longer just the gullible
    few – anyone can be duped by these AI-crafted tales.
  </li>
</ol>

## In Conclusion

The fusion of AI and fraud signifies a paradigm shift in the threat landscape. While we celebrate the benefits of AI, it's crucial for individuals, businesses, and institutions to recognize and adapt to these emerging threats. The battle isn't just against human fraudsters anymore; it's against their increasingly intelligent digital accomplices.

As AI's capabilities grow, the line between genuine and fraudulent will blur. Preparing for this challenge requires a combination of awareness, education, and leveraging AI's power for defensive strategies, ensuring we remain one step ahead of the malicious innovators.


The Dark Side of AI: Fraudsters' New Arsenal


In today's ever-evolving world, the potency of Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT, can't be understated. From language translation to summarization and beyond, the versatility of LLMs is remarkable. Yet, a crucial shortcoming exists: understanding dynamic, real-time data.

## The Challenge with Static LLMs

Despite their prowess, LLMs, as of 2021, aren't inherently equipped to decipher the torrents of content gushing daily from multilingual news channels, myriad social platforms, the intricate labyrinths of the deep and dark web, and other dynamic text-based feeds.

This limitation is starkly evident in time-sensitive domains like fraud, geopolitics, security, and market intelligence.

The static nature of LLMs means they're a snapshot of the past, often tied to a specific training period. For instance, ask about the hypothetical "SVB collapse," and GPT-4 might return:

"As of my last update in September 2021, there hasn't been any event or news related to a collapse of SVB (Silicon Valley Bank)."

Furthermore, without inherent mapping or timeline functionalities, LLMs can struggle to interconnect events, trends, and locales.

## Overwatch Data: Revitalizing Real-time Information

However, technological roadblocks are merely invitations for innovation.

At Overwatch Data, we've pioneered a system that marries the ingenuity of chat experiences with live data processing. Imagine wanting real-time alerts on cybercriminal activities or asking a platform for “companies that unveiled new energy strategies last week”. With our platform, such granular, dynamic queries are no longer aspirational but achievable.

![You can set the categories or content you care about](/images/blog/blog11-1.png)

## Our process:

<ul>
  <li>Data Stream Ingestion: We digest vast data streams.</li>
  <li>
    Vector-based Processing: Light-weight models sift through the data deluge,
    narrowing down to the most pertinent content to what matters to your
    interests, across languages
  </li>
  <li>Intricate LLMs refine this subset with greater precision</li>
  <li>
    Event Clustering & Entity Extraction: Every piece of information gets
    categorized into events, like "discussions about Prigozhin’s death".
    Simultaneously, we identify key entities—be it people, organizations, or
    places—to derive context. For instance, understanding how a political event
    in Niger might sway global uranium trade dynamics.
  </li>
  <li>
    Actionability Prompt:is there additional information that would make our
    response more actionable to you based on what you’re interested in e.g. this
    new fraud technique specifically impacts your onboarding process at point X
    - you should consider the following remediations”
  </li>
</ul>

The culmination? Our platform can answer vital questions about live or recent events and narratives: its origins, key players, locales, and historical context. Each event's summary undergoes a rigorous extraction process to determine involved entities and locations.

![Events and narratives](/images/blog/blog11-2.png)

![Helping answer the "so what?"](/images/blog/blog11-3.png)

Moreover, our API integration offers vast automation opportunities. For businesses wanting real-time updates on companies embroiled in financial controversies, our platform can distill the information, letting organizations run checks against their clientele.

## Visualizing & Contextualizing Data

The true magic emerges when this data undergoes visualization. An incident in a city isn't just a standalone event. Our platform layers contextual datasets, offering insights about the city's demographics, local businesses, logistics, and relevant risk indicators.

![Visualizing & Contextualizing Data](/images/blog/blog11-4.png)

While organizations can endeavor to construct these data processes internally, Overwatch Data simplifies this journey. With our user-friendly, zero-code platform, staying abreast of the world's pulse—its risks and opportunities—becomes intuitive and efficient.


International Women's Day 2023: Diversifying Data And Perspectives

Zara's interview on gratitude and a founder's journey

The Battery Supply Chain and Volta Foundation's Battery Report 2022

Go Solo Interviews CTO/ Cofounder Zara Perumal

Integrity Institute Interview with CTO and Co-Founder Zara Perumal

Op-ed: What launching a startup taught me about foreign policy

Overwatch featured in the State of Supply Chain 2022 (Year in Review)

Welcome to Overwatch Data's blog!

Zara, CTO/ Cofounder, wins Forbes 30 Under 30

Overwatch Contribution To Asialink's Business Trends for 2023

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