Inside CIRAT: University intelligence hub shaping global decisions
Nestled in an idyllic hillside setting, Mercyhurst University blends tradition and innovation, boasting a vibrant campus filled with classrooms, laboratories, and performance spaces. Yet, tucked within its cutting-edge cyber security center lies a hub of global intelligence activity: the Center for Intelligence, Research, Analysis, and Training (CIRAT).
Led by Brian Fuller, CIRAT brings together faculty experts and students from diverse fields, including Intelligence Studies, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence & Data Science. Their mission? To collect, analyze, and disseminate intelligence for clients ranging from the U.S. Department of Defense to Fortune 500 companies.
One high-profile project involves CIRAT analysts using Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) to track foreign nations' space programs for the Department of Defense’s National Space Intelligence Center. Another partnership with Abbott Laboratories has analysts investigating the fraudulent use of the Abbott brand worldwide. Locally, CIRAT provides risk and threat analysis to enhance security at Erie International Airport.
Amid this nucleus of intensive intelligence exploration is sophisticated technology that takes CIRAT’s capabilities to a whole new level. Case in point is the AirNav Radarbox, a premium-level system that offers worldwide tracking of commercial, military, and general aviation flights.
On any given day, approximately 9,700 planes are traversing the skies worldwide. Fuller said student analysts regularly monitor the air traffic via a super-sized computer screen peppered with images of miniature planes. Their goal is to notify clients of abnormalities that could potentially affect their operations.
“If we start to see anomalies—let’s say China reduces or eliminates domestic flights over Taiwan airspace—that allows us to consider that China may be intending some kind of military action in the region and notify our clients of the possibility,” Fuller explained.
Besides leveraging capabilities via air and marine radar systems, the CIRAT team also monitors and analyzes geospatial intelligence platforms and Generative AI solutions.
In 2024, CIRAT enhanced its capabilities by partnering with California-based Vizru to integrate Rover, an advanced Generative AI platform that analyzes public data and datasets within firewalls to unlock insights securely.
“This technology allows CIRAT to stay on the leading edge of providing timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence to its private sector, government, and nonprofit clients, while allowing students to become trained in the operational processes of Generative AI,” Fuller said.
Currently, approximately 130 students are engaged in CIRAT projects. “Our students are performing tasks that typically come after years of experience in the field,” said Fuller. “They’re contributing to critical national security efforts and global industries like Dell Technologies and Pfizer. The impact of their work is significant, often bearing global implications.”
Mercyhurst University’s CIRAT stands as a testament to the power of blending academic rigor with real-world application, preparing students to become leaders in the intelligence community.
PHOTO: (L-R) Erie Insurance consultant Sidd Mahur, student Jay Dalmaso, and Brian Fuller