Media

Our nation is experiencing a measurable rise in domestic violent extremism fueled by diverse collection of racially, religiously, or issue-oriented ideologies. The problem persists on both ends of the political spectrum with investigations ongoing into both left and right-wing actors and organizations. In a July report, DHS’ own IG recommended improvements to the department’s ability to collect and consolidate information; yet even access to complete federal intelligence and information would only paint part of the picture. How can the private sector and local and federal governments better collaborate across the homeland security enterprise to share information while not infringing on Constitutionally protected rights? What information can and should be shared about impending threats? After more than 20 years of our current understanding, what is the new face of terrorism?

One of the most positive trends in international travel over the last decade has been the demonstrated ability to adapt. We saw significant increases in both passenger and cargo, then decreases due to COVID for passengers, but increases for cargo, and now a strong return on passenger – all against a background of a shifting threat environment. US government agencies and the travel industry also piloted innovative ideas and technologies to alleviate common stress points, as well as changes in operational procedures and staffing. As just one example, these stakeholders partnered to quickly implement enhancements in response to COVID to protect passenger health, safety, and security – and continued adapting. As passengers increasingly return to international travel, we will need to continue that spirit of adaptation and innovation. This session will identify opportunities to increase technology and communication, cooperate between international governments with commensurate screening processes and standards, and implement process best practices to further enhance the future of international travel.

The field of Critical Infrastructure began with a focus on protection, and in the past decade has pivoted toward a focus on resilience. Which is it? Does it matter? This panel will provide perspectives from Critical Infrastructure owner-operators and their allies, and what they are focusing on in an era of marked unpredictability.

Human Trafficking is a $150 billion annual stain on modern society and an issue that affects all nations and communities. Governments alone cannot address the issue and increasingly rely on partnerships with civil society to scale training and solution efforts. How can we all contribute to ending modern-day slavery?

The Western Hemisphere is becoming increasingly interconnected through business, trade, migration, and growing security partnerships. How can neighboring nations accelerate their partnerships? What role can technology play in building and securing regional trade and business? In securing migratory routes and combating illicit migration and human smuggling? Would a larger free trade zone and common travel area help to ease the push factors of migration?

As the U.S. pivots more to Great Power Competition and threats from state and non-state actors continue to grow, is it time to reframe our understanding of homeland defense and homeland security? Do we need a rejuvenation of civil defense?

As the U.S. pivots more to Great Power Competition and threats from state and non-state actors continue to grow, is it time to reframe our understanding of homeland defense and homeland security? Do we need a rejuvenation of civil defense?

Quantum technologies could create vulnerabilities for the homeland by breaking public key encryption, providing new forms of sensing, or advancing algorithms used in warfare and intelligence. The global race is on, with government and private investment in quantum skyrocketing. Most efforts focus on developing underlying quantum computer hardware, employing competing approaches that face distinct challenges even as they integrate into classical computing frameworks. This panel will sort hype from reality and discuss opportunities for partnership among leaders in National Security, industry, and academia.

The current information-sharing environment has served us well in the fight against terrorism. Cultural change has led to federal, state, and private sector security entities sharing more information on threats than ever before. But the volume of information can be overwhelming, especially for organizations with smaller analysis teams. What current technologies might we leverage to better support information sharing? Are dashboards and portals enough to improve our ability to analyze and connect the dots?

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 was signed into law on November 25, 2002 formally creating the Department of Homeland Security and in effect establishing the American homeland security enterprise. Many changes have been made since then including restructuring the organization and event creating an entirely new federal agency in CISA. Since its inception, DHS has been at the center of unique federal relationship with stakeholders - partnerships. What will the next few years hold for DHS and its partners? How does the current Secretary envision strengthening existing partnerships and building new ones?

The Evolution of Security Vetting to Counter Modern Threats

How is the Office of the National Cyber Director working to address how America builds and maintains its cyber workforce?

Understanding the larger biometric identity future.

Small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) are making dramatic changes for America’s first responders. From enhanced public safety to concerns about a surveillance state, this lightning talk looks at the state of the art. Are drones a turning point for homeland security or just marketing hype? See why drones are truly game changing for one California police department.

The age of “information disorder” is upon us. Deep fakes, false political narratives, and flawed COVID rumors are all rampant online, threatening America’s national security, as well as democracy itself. Though bad actors have always had the capacity to deceive, the ease, speed, and degree to which anyone can create misleading information has engendered a dangerous new world. And yet many solutions can also run directly against longstanding western principles, such as free speech and a lack of censorship. Prescriptions, some argue, can be as dangerous as the disorder itself. So, what can be done? In partnership with the Homeland Security Experts Group, Intelligence Squared U.S. debates how to combat this dangerous new phenomenon, termed “information disorder.” Our expert panel takes a look at what the private sector should do, what the public sector can do, and how political actors who spread false information should be handled.

Hear about the TLO Program’s responsibilities in conducting outreach to promote Suspicious Activity Reporting (SARs), and work in providing training to law enforcement as well as public and private sector entities to increase awareness and vigilance in combating nefarious actors and threats.

To date we have all been startled, shocked, and even scared by the potential harmful powers of AI. But nearly every tool can be used for multiple purposes. This session will explore the possibilities and opportunities of using AI for cybersecurity across our national and homeland security enterprises.

A revolution in how individuals interact with public institutions and even private organizations is in full swing. How will Digital identity advance innovations in homeland security?

The Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) helps to prevent targeted violence and terrorism through funding, training, increased public awareness, and the development of partnerships across every level of the government, the private sector and in local communities across our country. The Director will lay out his vision for CP3.

The Chinese Communist Party has clearly defined its goals to dominate several key industry sectors in the coming years. A critical component to achieving that goal will come from investment strategies, both into the U.S. and into China. How can our nation best mitigate the risks associated with inbound or outbound business dealing with China? Is CFIUS enough?

CBP processes over 860,000 passenger and pedestrian encounters every day. This panel will explore how off-the-shelf solutions can speed processes to conduct identity resolution across the federal government.

Significant geopolitical, technological, and economic risks present vulnerabilities to our supply chains and critical infrastructure. How should the homeland security enterprise address these? What is the vision for how economic security and homeland security are related?

HSAC released a report in December with recommendations for improving the customer service experience at DHS. A key recommendation was to “Leverage Technology to Optimize the Workforce and Better Support Customer Demands.” This session explores how partnerships across government agencies and the private sector are key to advancing that recommendation.

From ChatGPT to generative browser search results, AI is all the rage right now. This tech promises to be revolutionary in its capabilities, making us all more productive while presenting significant risks in the wrong hands. What safeguards are we putting around the development of AI? How can we build a development ecosystem that maximizes the opportunities of AI while mitigating the risks, all the while respecting our Constitutional norms and national values?

Strategies for Incentivizing Collaboration for Protection Against Emerging Threats on Transportation Critical Infrastructure. Examining the role of regulatory environments that allow for continued innovation and capability building.

Terrorist attacks prompted by the Taliban resurgence are a rising threat. Violent extremists in Afghanistan (ISIS-K, Al Qaeda, Haqqani Network) could be emboldened to attack regionally given the absence of United States and Afghan security forces in the country. Meanwhile, terrorists and affiliates across the world - including individuals in America - may strike given the inspirational revival of a like-minded militant group and the appearance of a wounded United States.

Homeland security is a whole-of-nation effort, with roles and responsibilities across every echelon of government. How does a governor see the enterprise from the state house? Is the “locally executed; state managed; federally support” model viable for the future?

Creating the Right Marketplaces 20 years after 9/11, we know that adapting to changing threats, technology, and operating environments requires innovation – and investment in tools and infrastructure. With infrastructure investment being front and center in DC, how can the public and private sector to work together to best position our critical infrastructure for the next 20 years? Can P3s be the answer to enabling the right marketplaces in those sectors?

The 2020 Cyberspace Solarium Commission Report published 82 recommendations to improve the federal government’s readiness for major cyber attacks. One year on, over 40% of those recommendations have been implemented or are on track to implementation, including the creation of the office of National Cyber Director. As a Commissioner, the first NCD helped to draft the recommendation. How is implementation going? With so may other cybersecurity leaders at the federal level, what is the vision for this role?

Paul Steinberg, SVP of Technology at Motorola Solutions, will discuss how the public sector can harness the power of 5G, as well as give a view to the next-generation networks coming after it. This session will address the challenges of people, process, policy, security, and infrastructure across the public sector as they navigate 5G, 6G, and beyond.

Founded as a direct result of the attacks on 9/11, The Department of Homeland Security has undergone changes and added several missions to its original mandate. How is the federal government’s third largest department gearing up for the challenges out country faces now and in the foreseeable future?

The Homeland Security Enterprise was built with an initial focus on external threats and natural disasters. In the past 20 years, most attacks in the US have come from domestically radicalized individuals and we are seeing an increase in hate groups motivated toward violence. How are we working to address radicalization of all stripes? Can the federal counterterrorism enterprise support domestic operations while keeping with our national core values?

Our society is shifting rapidly and our longstanding institutions are trying to keep pace. New technologies, better training, and efforts to diversify our nation’s police forces have all had positive impact. Everyday we call on our police to be more than law enforcement officers and expect them to also respond to nonviolent calls relating to mental illness, addiction, and other social ills. Still we hear for calls to “defund.” Is it time to ask more of our police and cut resources? What technologies might we better leverage in our policing?

Cyberspace has gone from buzzword to full operational domain since the founding of DHS. CISA embodies the purest nature of homeland security – partnership across multiple sectors and echelons. As threats in cyberspace increase in prominence and sophistication, is the current partnership arrangement correct? Does the federal government need to assert more regulatory authority? Or should we take a more laissez-faire approach? How can we forecast the next threat and mitigate risks now?

As threats at the nation’s land, air, and sea borders continuously evolve, it is important to adopt new technologies that provide us greater surveillance and security and assured identity of the traveling public. What role should technology play in securing our physical borders and approaches? Are we taking advantage of the best technologies available? How can public-private partnerships everage the advantages of emerging technology? Where do we see opportunities for additional R&D?

In 2021, authorities, industry, and the public saw a dramatic increase in publicly acknowledged ransomware attacks. From critical infrastructure to healthcare systems to local governments, the attacks are growing more severe and frequent and no sector or industry seems invulnerable to these attacks. Cryptocurrency has been the payment means of choice by many of the attackers, raising questions as to whether cryptocurrency is an enabler of such attacks and what can be done in response. In the case of Colonial Pipeline, the US Government was able to trace and recoup much of the payment. With the rise in ransomware and the adoption of cryptocurrency in the legitimate economy, how should regulators, financial institutions, law enforcement, and the virtual asset community respond? Are there avenues of creative partnership to address these risks, and what can be done to ensure hackers find it more difficult to profit from ransomware?

The Earth is flat; the moon landing was faked; COVID vaccines change your DNA; Pineapple belongs on pizza?! Our open society is constantly bombarded with disinformation, some of it even deliberately driven by malign actors. But with trust in institutions of all types eroding, who can our society turn to for truth? When only a third of those raised and educated here can pass the US citizenship test, do we even truly understand the functions of our own government and society?

Incredible technologies from artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing have given us a set of new capabilities, opportunities, and at times threats. But given the nature of the Homeland Security Enterprise - broad and multi-echeloned - defining a strategy for research can be challenging. Technology of the future will surely aid emergency response, operational reliability, and our nation’s resilience. So how might we design a comprehensive R&D strategy incorporating all partners and stakeholders?

The Organization of American States works to build peace and justice and defend the sovereignty of the nations of the Western Hemisphere through four pillars - democracy, human rights, security, and development. These pillars are challenged now more than ever and the effects spill over into the US. How can the regional international community rally to address our common issues?