SENTRY Attends CBP-ADEPT-05 Workshop
Convened by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Emeritus Center of Excellence (COE) for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT), the Customs and Border Protection Advanced Developments Encompassing Processes and Technologies (CBP-ADEPT05) workshop occurred on July 25 and 26, 2023. Many SENTRY leaders and researchers were in attendance to network and draw connections to our research from the latest advancements in inspection and detection technology presented by the CBP community.
Participants were welcomed by SENTRY’s Director, Michael Silevitch; Chelsea Thompson, Program Manager with the Office of University Programs, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate of DHS, and Laura Parker, Senior Advisor for Sensors, also with the S&T Directorate of DHS. Spearheaded by U.S. CBP Portfolio Manager, David Taylor, the event focused on the development and deployment of algorithms to enhance the interdiction of contraband, with the goal of improving border security.
Presenters and attendees alike brought perspectives from academia, national labs, and industry, creating a rich learning environment filled with lively discussion. Conversations about different types of sensors, automatic threat and anomaly recognition, risk assessment, resource allocation, and fused systems were of particular interest to SENTRY attendees.
Michael Silevitch shares, “Protecting cruise ships and the transportation infrastructure around ports of entry are just two examples of the many areas of overlap between knowledge shared at CBP-ADEPT-05 and the SENTRY mission of protecting soft targets. Conversely, our ongoing research on the development of effective threat decision support systems will be of benefit to CBP as well as to other stakeholders within DHS.”
Overall, CBP-ADEPT-05 provided an excellent opportunity for SENTRY researchers to connect with experts, stakeholders, and industry members for the exchange of knowledge and ideas regarding the development and implementation of advanced technologies for protecting and securing vulnerable public venues.