As I prepare to give remarks at the 2023 National Homeland Security Conference (NHSC) in Chicago this week, I can’t help but take a moment to reflect on the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) important mission and the role we play in the broader homeland security community. As the research and development arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), we serve as the science advisor to the Secretary and to each of the diverse DHS components. And a major part of being able to advise in this way is having a clear understanding of the evolving threat and innovation landscapes, the operational needs of our frontline stakeholders, and the cutting-edge research and technologies S&T can contribute to keep our nation and communities safe.
In order to perform this monumental task, S&T makes it a priority to coordinate with, learn from, and share information amongst our fellow government agencies, international counterparts, the private sector, and academia who are also working in the many areas that fall within the S&T mission space. Often the best way to facilitate this kind of communication and establish and maintain these relationships is to go where our collaborators will be gathered at the same time—and contribute to the many important conversations that take place at conferences, expos, and showcases.
This week, S&T will be joining the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at NHSC. The annual event has become an important conference for homeland security and emergency management professionals; S&T and CISA will share an exhibit booth (#433), and several of my S&T colleagues and I will be speaking at sessions and participating in panel discussions. Conference attendees will hear about our Maritime Safety and Security program, our support for the first responder community, the DHS Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant program, and from me directly: lots about artificial intelligence (the good, the bad, and the future).
At the booth, S&T and CISA look forward to continuing these conversations with representatives from hundreds of public and private organizations working in the emergency management and security space. If you will be in attendance, we’ll tell you how you can partner with S&T on research and development projects, offer information and feedback on interactions with S&T, and provide details about how to join the S&T team. We will showcase technologies aimed at keeping our first responder communities safe—such as wearable chemical sensor badges, 3D CT-Analyst plume modeling, and X-site system and Smart LINC technology. Our experts will also be holding office hours, so stop by and let’s talk.
As we work each day to fulfill our mission, we are continually striving to find new and more effective ways to communicate and connect. NHSC is also a great opportunity for us to see what others are working on, attend workshops, and learn and better understand where our vital sector is headed. S&T participates in many events like NHSC, and each one is targeted to different communities and provides unique opportunities. Our goal is always to share the amazing work that S&T is accomplishing with our stakeholders, and to achieve this we roll up our sleeves and hit the road to meet them where they are.
And to our dedicated team traveling to these conferences and events across the nation, thank you for sharing our passion and hard work with the world.