News Release

DHS Official to Discuss SECURE Program
at IEEE Homeland Security Conference

WASHINGTON (1 May 2009) --If you have a technology that can make the United States more secure, the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (DHS-S&T) wants to hear from you.

Dr. Thomas A. Cellucci, DHS chief commercialization officer housed at DHS S&T, will discuss “Opportunities for the Private Sector” through DHS’ SECURE program during the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST 09) at the Westin Waltham Boston Hotel, 11-12 May.

SECURE, which stands for “System Efficacy through Commercialization, Utilization, Relevance and Evaluation,” seeks “win-win” partnerships between DHS and private companies to develop solutions that meet the needs of the department’s operating components, first responders and other stakeholders like critical infrastructure/key resources owners and operators.

Cellucci will explain to HST 09 attendees that, in addition to providing detailed operational requirements of DHS stakeholders, DHS includes an estimate of the potential available market. This program is not only a “win” for DHS and the private sector, but most importantly, for the American taxpayer who benefits from a cost-effective and efficient product development of products and services to help keep the country safe.

SECURE (http://www.dhs.gov/xres/programs/gc_1211996620526.shtm) helps create jobs and acts as a catalyst to enable small firms (who posses vital innovation) to partner with larger firms and investors. The end result is found in much higher speed-of-execution of government programs at a high return-on-investment of taxpayer dollars.

Cellucci will also preview a new innovative partnership program focused on basic research and innovation that DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano will announce on 19 May.

The IEEE Boston Section is producing HST 09 with organizational support from IEEE-USA. The event, which began in 2002, focuses on innovative technologies addressing some of the nation’s most-pressing national security problems. More than 500 people attended the 2008 conference, including representatives from 17 foreign countries.

Presentations will be made in the following tracks: weapons of mass destruction detection; border & maritime; counter IED (improvised explosive device); disaster response; and critical infrastructure protection. Rear Admiral Richard Gurnon, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, will deliver the keynote address.

For more information and to register, see  http://www.ieeehomelandsecurityconference.org/.

HST 09 is part of the IEEE Engineering the Future Global Event Series, in celebration of IEEE’s 125th anniversary.

IEEE-USA advances the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of more than 210,000 engineers, scientists and allied professionals who are U.S. members of IEEE. IEEE-USA is part of IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional society with 375,000 members in 160 countries. See http://www.ieeeusa.org.

Contact: Chris McManes
IEEE-USA Public Relations Manager
Phone: + 1 202 530 8356
E-mail: c.mcmanes@ieee.org

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