Enhancing the Safety and Security of our Nation

ALERT Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence Launch

The Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT) Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence was launched at Northeastern University to detect, mitigate, and respond to explosives. Research efforts focus on the long-term goals of homeland security, including developing reliable screening methods, bomb detection technology, and blast-resistant composite materials.

Inaugural Hosting of Advanced Development for Security Applications Workshop

The Advanced Development for Security Applications (ADSA) Workshop Series was developed to encourage networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. SENTRY now convenes the annual workshops, gathering academia, security vendors and professionals, government agencies, and federally funded research and development centers to further homeland security-related research efforts.

Attendance at First Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence Summit

ALERT Director Michael Silevitch and Deputy Director Carey Rappaport participated in the Centers of Excellence Research Innovation Showcase and Summit, which focused on how public transportation systems can prevent, mitigate, and respond to disasters. The summit brought together researchers, industry members, and government stakeholders to encourage collaboration in solving homeland security issues.

Launch of Annual Student Pipeline Industry Roundtable Event

As part of the ALERT and Gordon-CenSSIS efforts to create robust partnerships with industry and government stakeholders, the Annual Student Pipeline Industry Roundtable Event (ASPIRE) prepares students to transition from academia into the Homeland Security Enterprise. The annual event includes industry, government, and student presentations, networking, and student poster sessions.

Department of Homeland Security Renews Research Funding

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate announced the renewal of ALERT as a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence led by Northeastern University. The center was granted $2.5 million to expand and progress its explosives-related threat detection and prevention research and development efforts over the next five years.

Visit by United States Secretary of Homeland Security

ALERT Director, Professor Michael B. Silevitch, hosted the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, at Northeastern University. During her visit, Secretary Napolitano was given an overview of the center’s work to prevent explosives-related threats, introduced to ALERT student researchers, and shown demonstrations of video analytics and advanced imaging technologies.

Hosting of TSA Administrator John Pistole and Boston Air Security Officials

ALERT hosted Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole, acting Boston Field Office Supervisory Air Marshal David Brown, Boston Logan International Airport Federal Security Director George Naccara, and Kenneth Fletcher, Senior Advisor to the TSA Deputy Administrator. The ALERT Deputy Director led a tour of the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) lab and facilitated student demonstrations.

Recognition from TSA Federal Security Director Michael Young

ALERT received an award from Ohio Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Federal Security Director Michael Young, acknowledging the efforts of the Video Analytic Surveillance Transition (VAST) project. The VAST project partnered with Siemens Corporate Research, TSA, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and developed video analytics methods to address airport security concerns.

Visit by Senator Jack Reed to the University of Rhode Island

Senator Jack Reed visited the University of Rhode Island to meet with ALERT researchers and professors from the Chemistry, Engineering, and Cybersecurity departments. During his visit, Senator Reed was briefed on the latest research and technologies for enhanced explosives detection and discussed ways to increase the university’s contributions to security studies.

Britain’s Home Secretary Theresa May Tours Research Facilities

Britain’s Home Sec­re­tary Theresa May toured ALERT’s Advanced Imaging Technology and Robust Systems Lab and the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security at Northeastern University. During her visit, Northeastern University leaders, including President Joseph E. Aoun, joined Secretary May and ALERT leadership to discuss the center’s valuable advancements in explosives-related research.

IEEE Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security Tutorial

ALERT conducted a tutorial at the 2015 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Symposium on Technologies for Homeland Security. The tutorial aimed to introduce the latest in explosives-related threat-sensing research to representatives of various industries, including educational institutions, national labs, the Department of Homeland Security, and private security stakeholders.

The ALERT and Gordon-CenSSIS Scholars Program Begins

The ALERT and Gordon-CenSSIS Scholars Program engages undergraduate engineering students in center research projects, K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach programs, and professional development training seminars. Previous program participants, or “Scholars,” return to mentor current participants, sharing their first-hand experiences and knowledge.

Technology Demonstrations at Centers of Excellence Showcase

ALERT displayed its explosives detection research at the Centers of Excellence Technology Showcase in Washington, D.C. Over 250 government agencies and first responders attended the showcase, which included live demonstrations, informational tables, and “Chat with an Expert” sessions. ALERT researchers left with a better understanding of the challenges faced by end users, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Video Analytics Lab Established at Kostas Research Institute

Northeastern University’s George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security established an ALERT Video Analytics Laboratory. The lab offers 1225 square feet of open space, controlled lighting conditions, a fully networked and flexible camera grid, and secure access. Researchers use this facility to explore and enhance the development of video and sensor technologies for explosives-related threat detection.

CBP-ADEPT Workshop Series Launch

The first annual Customs and Border Protection Advanced Developments Encompassing Processes and Technologies (CBP-ADEPT) Workshop occurred on June 20-21 at Northeastern University. CBP-ADEPT workshops encourage expert collaboration to enhance border security and prevent the illegal transportation of contraband by developing and implementing advanced technologies.

Technology Demonstration with U. S. Customs and Border Protection

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, headed by Chief Victor Todorov, hosted an all-day Technology Demonstration led by ALERT Industrial Liaison Officer Emel Bulat. ALERT researchers, staff, and industry representatives attended alongside Department of Homeland Security personnel and Customs and Border Protection officers.

Virtual Showcase Highlights ALERT Technologies

An annual event, the ALERT Technology Showcase brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to highlight the latest advancements in explosives-related threat detection. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 event was postponed until 2021. Held virtually, the reimagined showcase included launching a new webinar series, SPARC (Seminars to Promote ALERT Research and Collaboration).

Transition to a Department of Homeland Security Emeritus Center of Excellence

ALERT became an Emeritus Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate Center of Excellence in early 2021, marking the conclusion of funding for research, transition, and education and workforce development programs. ALERT continues to enhance effective characterization, detection, mitigation, and response to explosives-related threats through ongoing task orders and collaborations.

A New Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, SENTRY

Established at Northeastern University, the Soft Target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat Reality (SENTRY) Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence aims to counter threats faced by soft target venues. ALERT’s expertise in threat anomaly detection supports SENTRY in creating functional and adaptable solutions to detect and mitigate targeted violence for soft targets and crowded places.

The Future of ALERT

Led by Director Carey Rappaport, ALERT has been at the forefront of research and development in explosives-related threat detection and mitigation. Through active task orders, collaborative research efforts, and the continuation of ALERT-founded workshops, the center remains committed to advancing characterization, mitigation, and response to explosives-related threats.