The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) conducts Facebook Live Tech Talks monthly to allow our program managers to talk directly with the American public, industry and other stakeholders. These one-on-one type conversation allows us to answer questions, receive feedback, and release information about important research and development projects.
EDGE Virtual Training
The Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) is a free virtual training system that helps first responders prepare for complex response scenarios, such as active shooters. Built on the Unreal gaming engine, EDGE was developed by S&T, the U.S. Army Research laboratory’s Simulation and Training Technology Center, and Cole Engineering Services. In this video, experts from each organization discuss EDGE and how it can help responders train.
ScreenADAPT
ScreenADAPT, developed by S&T in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration, is a training resource that helps security screeners improve their threat detection skills. In this video, S&T’s program manager explains how ScreenADAPT uses eye-tracking capability to help trainees understand areas for improvement and dynamically adjusts to their individual training needs.
Silicon Valley Innovation Program
The Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) reaches out to innovation communities across the nation and around the world to harness the commercial R&D ecosystem for government applications, co-invest in ideas, and accelerate transition-to-market. In this video, S&T’s program manager discusses how building these partnerships helps S&T efficiently and effectively address some of the most pressing homeland security challenges.
Stopping Signal Interference
S&T hosted exercises in 2016 and 2017 to better understand how spectrum interference can impact first responder communications. The 2017 exercise, known as JamX 17, also assessed tactics to help responders identify, locate and mitigate interference. This video captures a discussion about lessons learned from the 2016 exercise and what to expect from JamX 17.
Cyber Security for Automobiles
As vehicles become more connected through new infotainment and telematics capabilities, the risk for cyber-attacks increases. In this video, S&T cyber security experts and our partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center discuss recent efforts to improve cyber security in government vehicle fleets and answer audience questions.
Securing Critical Infrastructure
The nation's critical infrastructure consists of the systems that make daily life possible. Any disruption to the 16 sectors could impact national security, economic growth, or public health. In this video, leadership from S&T and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency discuss how DHS components work together to help strengthen U.S. critical infrastructure security and resilience.
Lost Person Behavior App
S&T helped develop a suite of search and rescue tools to improve search effort coordination in the critical early stages. In this video, S&T’s program manager and dbs Productions partner outline several resources in the suite of tools, including the Lost Person Behavior app, FIND software, and Search and Rescue Collection Analysis Tool (SACRAT).
Securing Surface Transportation
S&T's Surface Transportation Explosive Threat Detection Program is working with TSA and other surface transportation authorities across the country to develop screening technologies which will enhance security in a wide variety of venues and crowded places.
Next Generation First Responder Integration Handbook
Every day across the nation, first responders protect our communities, respond to emergencies and save lives, sometimes while using outdated technology. Responders may be overburdened with data and devices, requiring smarter, more seamless solutions to be better protected, connected and fully aware. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate's Next Generation First Responder Integration Handbook aims to provide first responders with a ‘plug and play’ standards-based environment to enable commercially developed technologies to integrate with existing first responder systems and infrastructure.
From Idea to Commercial Product: Accelerating Technology Transition
Transitioning research from the lab to the marketplace, passing through what is often called the Valley of Death, is a tremendous challenge. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Transition to Practice (TTP) Program is addressing the challenge head-on, playing a leading role in accelerating the commercialization of government-funded technologies.