The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, which has been Recognized in AST’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program for Five Consecutive Years, is pleased to announce the HIVE (Hierarchical Inference for Volumetric Estimation) algorithmic framework has been Nominated to Compete in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program.

The real-time detection of concealed threats is critical for protecting public transportation, sports arenas, and other open, difficult-to-secure environments.

New sensing technologies, such as standoff active-RF imaging, can help security personnel screen customers and bags quickly without affecting the flow of traffic. However, accurately detecting threats in the complex environment of crowds carrying everyday items remains a challenge.

The HIVE algorithmic framework for standoff concealed threat detection enables new approaches to protect people and infrastructure in areas where traditional security checkpoints are not feasible.

HIVE (Hierarchical Inference for Volumetric Estimation) is a custom deep convolutional neural network architecture that interprets volumetric video generated by standoff, active-RF imagers.

The architecture performs multi-resolution detection, classification, and segmentation of objects in the scene at various scales in order to produce automated threat detections, alerts, and visualization products – all without requiring the person to stop, pose, or remove their belongings.

“As we strive to keep our citizens safe while they go about their daily lives, we are developing technology which will assist law enforcement and security personnel in carrying out their duties more efficiently, ” explains Joseph “Jay” Martin, the Principle Director, Office of Mission and Capability Support, Science and Technology Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.”

“With the HIVE project, we are not only developing technology that can detect an anomaly on a person, but we are also developing the algorithms to automatically determine the threat of that anomaly through object recognition.” 

“The HIVE project is a screening enhancement tool that will significantly improve homeland and hometown security through advanced technology.”

Enhanced Detection:

While state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms have shown outstanding performance in object detection in photographic images, these techniques cannot be directly applied to RF imagery since the underlying characteristics, appearance, and statistics are very different.

HIVE was specifically engineered to use all the information contained in a complex-valued, three-dimensional RF image volume to better discriminate objects based on their unique characteristics in this modality.

Detection with HIVE, using the full 3D volume, is significantly more accurate than processing 2D imagery with COTS algorithms.

Enhanced Intelligence:

HIVE can be trained to detect specific threat items (such as explosives or large amounts of certain materials) while ignoring common benign items (such as laptop computers).

Additionally, multiple detectors can be run as an ensemble, to allow the user to build custom rules for a specific deployment scenario – since security needs in a sports arena may be different than in a transportation setting.

In contrast, existing commercial systems (such as metal detectors or millimeter-wave portal scanners) generally output a binary “threat/no threat” alert and do not have much flexibility to adapt to new deployment scenarios.

“The traffic flow through venues like mass transit, concerts, and sporting events is so high it makes security efforts a daunting task,” shared Ali Fadel, Program Manager, Soft Target Security Program, Science and Technology Directorate for the Department of Homeland Security.

“The HIVE project is critical as a force-multiplier to assist law enforcement and security personnel by alerting them to a potential threat.”

Privacy-Preserving:

A key benefit of algorithmic screening using HIVE is privacy protection for people imaged by the sensor, as a human security operator does not have to view the RF imagery.

For instance, a data product may show a localized alert overlaid on top of a color video, never revealing RF imagery of the person’s body.

Finally, HIVE is agnostic to the source sensor and can be paired with other active-RF systems in the future to add new capabilities and improved detection performance as commercial imaging technology advances.

The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security. DHS S&T serves as the research and development arm of the Department as it fulfills its national security mission.

The Science and Technology Directorate is led by the Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology, who is appointed by the President of the United States with confirmation by the United States Senate.

To Learn More, go to www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology.

DHS S&T Recognized with Multiple  2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering its Seventh Year, recognizes industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

DHS Science & Technology (First of Four)

• Excellence in Public Safety

  • • First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST) High School Student Training

  • The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded a grant to the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH) to develop the school-age trauma training that became First Aid for Severe Trauma (FAST).

• FAST is the first national STOP THE BLEED® course designed specifically for high school students and made available through the American Red Cross, thanks to the S&T grant.

• While FAST is available for anyone, the course and digital materials are offered at no charge to high school students under the age of 19.

(The FAST education program is based on funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH). The FAST course and digital materials, developed by the American Red Cross in collaboration with NCDMPH, will be offered at no charge to high school students under the age of 19, thanks to the S&T grant. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

DHS Science & Technology (Second of Four)

• Excellence in Public Safety

  • • Wildland Fire Sensor Technology

    • The  Wildland fires present a significant threat to the United States, and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is fighting fire with technology.

    • Wildland Fire Sensor Technology could provide the public with the advanced notice necessary to reduce the loss of life and property while giving communities the information and time necessary to make life-saving evacuations. 

(Learn More, courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)

DHS Science & Technology (Third of Four)

•  Excellence in Homeland Security

  • • NUSTL Remote Audible RAD Alarm

• In the event of a radiological or nuclear incident, emergency response agencies and HAZMAT teams could utilize this new technology to set up community reception centers to screen members of the public for potential exposure to radioactive contaminants.

• Two inventors from the DHS National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) have developed a personal radiation detector (PRD) that could be placed beneath an entry ramp to detect radioactivity on the shoes of people being pre-screened before entering main screening areas.

• This innovative and unique new device emits an alarm sound that is both louder than, and distinctive from other alarms, to ensure it can be easily heard and distinguished from other devices.

• Additionally, the remote alarm box does not require any batteries nor external power and can be stored indefinitely without maintenance so that it is immediately ready for use in an emergency.

DHS Science & Technology (Fourth of Four)

• Excellence in Homeland Security

  • • S&T AI/ML Strategic Plan

• DHS S&T identifies research the agency will conduct to understand the opportunities, as well as the risks, that accompany the rapidly changing AI/ML technology landscape and its impacts to DHS missions, and incorporate the technological advancements in AI/ML to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the DHS operational components and the broader Homeland Security enterprise.

• S&T’s three strategic goals are to 1) drive next-generation AI/ML technologies for cross-cutting homeland security capabilities; 2) facilitate the use of proven AI/ML capabilities in homeland security missions; and 3) build an interdisciplinary AI/ML-trained workforce. 

• The Strategic Plan aligns with the DHS Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which lays out goals to govern the Department’s approach to integrating AI into the DHS mission.

• *DHS S&T has also been recognized in the 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2016 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs, respectively.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, recognizes industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Final Days to Submit Nominations in the 2022 ‘ASTORS Homeland Security Awards

Last Call for Entries in 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher, at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border, and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.

These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.

The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, an exclusive, affordable, gourmet, full-course plated meal event, in the heart of New York City, held at the International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC East) since it’s inception in 2017.

And who better to address the aforementioned challenges, and initiatives to meet today’s threat landscape than Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.

As the DEAC of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mrs. Sabatino leads more than 31,000 employees and oversees an annual operating budget of $6.5 billion.

Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

(Hear a recent interview with Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino held at Identity Week Europe on leveraging biometric comparison technology in U.S. air, maritime, and land border environments for the security of passengers, enhancing the customer experience and limiting the transmission of biological pathogens while respecting personal privacies and educating the public as the CBP further expands the implementation of biometrics to keep up with threats to the aviation and other border sectors. These new technological tools are there to automate administrative functions so that the most valuable component of the process, the officers, are able to focus on critical issues as they arise. Courtesy of evie kim sing and YouTube. Posted on Jul 13, 2022.)

Enter, American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more visiting our AST Website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

So be on the lookout for Special Guests, Presenters, Book Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in NYC!