Protecting Our Nation’s Most Vulnerable Spaces

Established at Northeastern University in 2021, the Soft Target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat Reality (SENTRY) Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence addresses the many challenges of protecting soft targets and crowded places in our homeland.

ABOUT SENTRY

A Homeland Security Center of Excellence

The Department of Homeland Security Centers of Excellence bring together leading experts and researchers to conduct multidisciplinary research and workforce development for homeland security solutions. Authorized by Congress and chosen by the Department’s Science & Technology Directorate, each center is led by a university in collaboration with partners from other institutions, agencies, laboratories, and the private sector.

ABOUT DHS COES

mage taken inside a shopping mall. There are lots of people walking around going to stores, buying things and consuming food and beverages. There are two floors with shops and boutiques. The ceiling is glass. The architecture is very modern and new and the general feel of the images is bright, clean, safe and positive.

Vision & Mission

Take a closer look at our novel approach to better protecting soft targets and crowded places.

About

Nick Scaperdas, who studies bioengineering, solders electrical wires together on a keypad for a doorbell in the Sherman Center in Hayden Hall on Feb. 28, 2023.

Research

Explore our critical research areas and supporting projects currently in motion.

Research

people gather around a stage between tents for a jazz festival

Case Studies

We're embarking on several case studies focused on specific venues to deliver custom solutions.

Case Studies

Carey Rappaport is a College of Engineering Distinguished Professor, a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Deputy Director of ALERT, or Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats, which is a multi-university Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence (COE).

Workforce Development

We strive to create a diverse and informed workforce to safeguard our nation through various channels.

Development Programs

Year 2 Annual Report Narrative

SENTRY’s Year 2 Annual Report Narrative is now available to view online. The report includes an overview of the four major research areas, case studies, the workforce and professional development program, and other elements of the SENTRY program.

View SENTRY Year 2 Update

How to Engage

Join Our Newsletter

Join our monthly newsletter to get the latest updates on our research and events.

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Industry Partners

Our partners enjoy a symbiotic relationship, learning from our research to advance end products.

Become a Partner

Workshops & Conferences

We host events to work collaboratively on complex problems and create engagement opportunities for our stakeholders.

Get Involved

News & Events

Recent Event

DASSH (Designing Actionable Solutions for a Secure Homeland) Student Design Challenge

Northeastern University is the lead of the Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Center of Excellence (COE), known as SENTRY (Soft Target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat Reality). In collaboration with our sibling COE, CAOE (Center For Accelerating Operational Efficiency), SENTRY is inviting graduate and undergraduate students affiliated with SENTRY, CAOE, SENTRY partner institutions, or CAOE academic partners to participate.

Announcement