Director’s Message, Summer 2026
Dear SENTRY Community,
I am overjoyed to share that SENTRY has been reinstated as a Center of Excellence by the Department of Homeland Security, effective June 11, 2026. As we move forward, our research portfolio will evolve to reflect current homeland security priorities and emerging threats, while remaining grounded in our core mission of protecting soft targets and crowded places. Although the pause in funding interrupted many planned activities, it did not stop the work of our core team, partners, and stakeholders from positioning SENTRY for a strong return.
Over the past year, we have maintained strong relationships with our existing government, industry, and practitioner partners. We also welcomed a new Industry Advisory Board member, InControl, a global software company specializing in custom simulation platforms for various industries. Read more about the partnership here.
Similarly, our center received an in-kind donation of video equipment from another new Industry Advisory Board member, Axis Communications, a global leader in network-based security solutions. SENTRY researchers will use the donated equipment to amplify the capabilities of the newly established Low-airspace Testbed on Northeastern’s Oakland, CA, campus. This facility was established in partnership with Northeastern by our long-term Industry Partner, MatrixSpace, which has installed a 360-degree radar surveillance system that is now operational. They have also made their AI Edge and AI Cloud platforms available to enable data acquisition, sensor fusion, algorithm development, and user interface/decision support.
Our expertise also continued to inform national discussions surrounding FIFA World Cup security. SENTRY provided briefings and recommendations to congressional staff supporting the House Homeland Security Committee’s Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, drawing on years of research and engagement related to stadiums, transit systems, and large-scale public events.
These efforts reflect the resilience and dedication of the SENTRY community. While the Center’s next chapter may not look exactly like the last, the need for our research expertise and operationally relevant solutions for soft target security challenges has never been greater. We are grateful to each of you for championing our cause through this period of uncertainty and look forward to returning to our research with your continued support.