A few weeks ago, we highlighted some of the accomplishments the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has made over the past few years. I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Acting Under Secretary for S&T, and I’d like to affirm my commitment to ensuring the organization continues pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
At S&T, so much of our work helps empower homeland security practitioners. Our role is to advance science and technological capabilities so these men and women can perform their important duties more safely and effectively. We succeed when we help them, whether it’s supporting wearable technology development, investing in cutting-edge community resilience capabilities, or discovering new methods for protecting our borders.
Building on my experience as a first responder, I’m proud of the role S&T played in supporting security efforts during the Presidential Inauguration Day, where we helped ensure the event proceeded without incident. Many of the technologies and tools we develop help public safety agencies prepare for, monitor, and respond during large events. For example, mass transit agencies use our video forensics tools to identify potential threats and suspicious behavior.
S&T also helps train and equip law enforcement at major events such as the Super Bowl. During last weekend’s big game, our Communications and Networking Engine provided datacasting technology that enables public safety to quickly share secure information. Datacasting uses the public television broadcast network to gather images of key venue locations through legacy fixed cameras and mobile devices. This improves situational awareness by giving responders more detailed real-time information and improving their ability to share accurate information with deployed units. S&T will continue to support these efforts moving forward through innovative technology development.
Looking at what’s to come in 2017, I’m excited for the upcoming opportunities to engage with S&T stakeholders. Many of our programs will be attending national conferences such as RSA, South by Southwest, and the International Wireless Communications Expo. If you’re planning to attend these events, stop by S&T’s booth to see what we’re currently working on. You can also check out our Upcoming Events for more details on ways to engage with us.
Finally, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the S&T staff and stakeholders whose dedication has helped bring about some really impactful scientific advances. We can’t always disclose all of our work, but rest assured we are always working behind the scenes to support our nation’s homeland security practitioners. S&T is committed to ensuring their safety and equipping them with the tools and technology they need to be successful. I’m looking forward to all that we’ll accomplish together this year as we continue making progress on our Visionary Goals.
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