ADSA27: Implementation and Deployment of Situational Strategies for Protecting Soft Targets
The 27th installment of the Advanced Development for Security Applications (ADSA) workshop series took place from November 14 to 15 at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Students, researchers, and leaders in industry, government, and public service gathered both virtually and in person to address this year’s theme: Implementation and Deployment of Situational Strategies for Protecting Soft Targets.
Workshop participants gathered with a shared goal of advancing research to prevent and mitigate the impacts of attacks on soft targets, discussing the development and deployment of technologies, software, and communications needed to do so. Attendees were encouraged to take an active role in the event by asking questions, sharing insights, and using ample networking time to explore potential partnerships.
This year’s event opened with a “Fireside Chat,” a panel discussion moderated by SENTRY Director, Professor Michael Silevitch, that included perspectives from DHS Stakeholders and invited audience questions. Panelists included Ryan Donaghy, Associate Director of Planning and Innovation Infrastructure Security Division for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Laura Parker, Senior Advisor for the Sensors Tech Centers Division of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (pictured above right).
Throughout the event, SENTRY research was well represented from the podium. Notably, Penelope (Penny) Eucker, Retired Executive Director of STEM School Highlands Ranch and contributor to SENTRY’s School Security Case Study efforts, presented the severe impacts of a school shooting based on her firsthand experience. David Castañón, Real-Time Threat Detection and Mitigation Research Lead for SENTRY, spoke on command center functionality for soft targets in terms of what we might do for our Virtual Sentry Framework, while Victor Todorov of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shared insights on the same topic as it pertains to existing research done by ALERT (Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats) DHS Emeritus Center of Excellence.
The hybrid nature of the event allowed virtual speakers to share perspectives, including a Keynote address from Captain Jim Bamberger, Branch Chief of the Public Area Security and Infrastructure Protection Branch and C-UAS Capability Manager for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). He shared details on the TSA Multimodal and Public Area Capabilities Program, which evaluates advanced technologies related to surface transportation security. Captain Bamberger and his branch aim to inform and engage industry and academia to help identify and address gaps in current security capabilities. Important topics like this contributed to the successful networking and conversation exhibited by speakers and attendees at the event, pointing to the potential for a brighter future for the state of soft target security.
“I am inspired to continue the momentum that we’ve built over the last two days,” Professor Silevitch shared at the conclusion of the event. “Protecting soft targets and crowded places is a daunting challenge that can only be addressed with continued collaboration and knowledge sharing.”
Looking forward, Professor Silevitch spoke of promising developments beyond the state of our research, discussing the importance of increasing diversity in STEM through programs like the Engineering PLUS Alliance and it’s stEm PEER Academy.
The ADSA workshop series brings SENTRY and DHS closer to our mission of ensuring the existence of safe, secure public spaces by creating functional and adaptable solutions to detect and mitigate targeted violence. All ADSA27 presentations are now available to view and download.
The next installation of the workshop series, ADSA28, will take place in 2024. Further details are forthcoming.
