Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency

Current News

S&T Partners with ICE on Apex BEAP

DHS S&T HSARPA partnered with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on the Apex Border Enforcement Analytics Program (Apex BEAP). The final piece of that program and tool to be transitioned was the Big Data Environment (BDE). The goal of the program was to deliver next generation data storage and analytical capabilities to ICE.

We have achieved that goal, and the output of Apex BEAP/BDE has successfully transitioned to ICE. To date, the BDE has produced 105 Support requests for 30 active investigations, generated 18 lead packages, initiated 2 new investigations, and enabled 2 seizures related to nuclear application filters and vehicles/firearms scheduled for delivery to the Middle East. These figures will increase as CPI investigators continue to leverage the BDE’s analytical capabilities.

As a result of the success with CPI, S&T HSARPA was asked by ICE to support two other ICE domains: Intelligence and Internal Affairs. The BDE undertook both missions and built additional open source capabilities to support the new investigative domains while continuing to support the original CPI mission. The BDE now provides the audit capability for the ICE case management system. The system was successfully transitioned to ICE HSI on September 09, 2016 and will continue to provide invaluable support to the ICE HSI missions.

Updates on the Integrated Product Team (IPT)

The Fiscal Year 2016 and 2017 (FY16/17) DHS IPTs have kicked off and are in full swing. This year’s Technological Capability Gap Prioritization began with a joint IPT/Joint Requirements Council (JRC) Data Call to identify all existing operational gaps (for the JRC) and technological capability gaps in support of the six DHS IPTs: Enhancing Security, Preventing Terrorism, Preventing Terrorism-CBRN, Securing Borders, Securing Cyberspace, and Incident Management. Next, IPT Operatoins conducted a training seminar on the Data Analytic tools that will assist the IPTs in prioritizing their technological capability gaps based on rating criteria to be used by all IPTs. This newly developed set of prioritization criteria were determined over the summer by DHS’ Operational Components to ensure consistency and fairness throughout the IPT Technological Capability Gap Prioritization process. Learn more about our IPTs.

Modeling and Simulation Engine (MS-E) supports PEO UAS

MS-E provides M&S Subject Matter Expertise (SME) to the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aerial Systems (PEO UAS). MS-E works closely with PEO UAS leadership, DHS Component partners, Department of Defense (DOD) and other interagency stakeholders to ensure M&S technical coordination in support of the PEO’s mission. MS-E also works closely with National Labs, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and academic partners to ensure M&S technical development activities are aligned with PEO UAS and community stakeholder requirements. Learn more about MS-E and all the Apex Technology Engines.

About

The Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) supports cutting-edge research to produce revolutionary changes in technologies, new capabilities and threat and risk assessments for the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE).

Leadership

Director - Dr. Patrick Carrick

Deputy Director - Mr. Robert Burns

Organization

HSARPA conducts analysis to understand component organizations current missions, systems and processes and helps identify operational gaps where new technologies can have the most impact. Program managers lead teams of subject matter experts to develop, test and evaluate these new homeland security technologies and capabilities.

HSARPA has seven main functional organizations who focus their initiatives on S&T's visionary goals to include developing products that will help secure the homeland:

Borders and Maritime Security Division - Prevent contraband, criminals and terrorists from entering the U.S. while permitting the lawful flow of commerce and visitors.
Chemical and Biological Defense Division - Detect, protect against, respond to and recover from potential biological or chemical events.
Cyber Security Division - Create a safe, secure and resilient cyber environment.
Explosives Division - Detect, prevent and mitigate non-nuclear explosives attacks against people and infrastructure.
Program Executive Office Unmanned Aerial Systems - Guiding, assessing, advising, and enabling technical solutions for using SUAS and national efforts to counter SUAS misuse in the homeland.
Apex Technology Engines - Centralized functions that provide the services to all Apex Programs and other programs with tailored solutions, best practices, subject matter expertise, and knowledge products.
Integrated Product Teams - Identify capability gaps and find viable technologies that close those gaps and address components’ challenges