Omniplex deal adds social media element to background investigation capabilities

Omniplex World Services Corp. has acquired the government solutions business of Social Intelligence Corp., bringing to the company social media and online data analytics for use in national security, background investigations and insider threat detection.

Omniplex already provide background investigations for federal, state and local governments and contractors, but the acquisition allows the company to include social media and publicly available electronic information, the company said in a release.

The social media element entails proprietary technology and algorithms used to provide information to help determine the trustworthiness of individuals seeking a security clearance or position of public trust, Omniplex said.

The deal fits well into the 2016 omnibus spending bill, which recommends that social media checks be used in the security clearance and background investigation process.

The technology ensures privacy standards are upheld and provides a framework for the government to obtain this information legally.

Social Intelligence operations manager Steve Lewis is joining Omniplex as the director of Social Intelligence Government Solutions.