[3] In this capacity, she proposed a radical new approach for the agency to deal with the swift growth in information with the internet revolution.
Rather than procuring technology after it was developed, David and her deputy, Joanne Isham recognized and pushed for the agency to pursue partnerships within the private sector.
[4][5] She recommended utilizing technology to streamline processes and move away from simply collecting data toward a more analytical and leveraged position of disseminating and exploiting information.
In 1999, she developed Homeland Defense Strategic Thrust to focus research into internal and external terrorist entities and hostile nations and expanded the department to the ANSER Institute of Homeland Security in 2001 to provide public awareness and education on national security.
[7] Still, Ruth David remains active as a permanent Secretary/Treasurer of International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences.