The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has continually worked to identify, adapt and deliver innovative and disruptive commercial technology solutions to enhance safety and effectiveness, as well as maintain a competitive edge.
The department and its agencies identify and develop emerging commercial technologies, adapt them for government use and transition proven capabilities to support innovation. DHS has worked with new technologies, such as Automated Targeting System (ATS), Border Watch and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), to further modernization efforts and advance national security.
During Potomac Officers Club’s 2021 Border Protection Innovations and Technology Forum, experts across the government and industry will join together to discuss how new technologies have shaped the modernization across federal agencies, as well as how the industry’s partnerships and solutions can support these critical missions.
Featuring Rachelle Henderson, chief information officer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as the keynote speaker, the event will discuss innovation, emerging technologies and modernization that will support national security.
The forum will also feature an expert panel, hosting Rob Thorne of DHS and Ed Mays of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which will be moderated by Shamlan Siddiqi of NTT DATA. Siddiqi, chief technology officer of the company’s Public Sector, NTT DATA’s technology, advisory and innovation vision and strategy.
To register for the 2021 Border Protection Innovations and Technology Forum today, as well as view upcoming opportunities, visit Potomac Officers Club’s Event Page.
In her role with DHS, Henderson works to deliver mission-critical Information Technology (IT) services and products to enable ICE and DHS to meet their missions. Her office has modernized IT systems, matured the organization to contemporary IT management disciplines and enhanced the cyber defense posture of the enterprise.
Thorne is the chief information security officer of ICE, where he leads the information security of the ICE IT enterprise, including protecting systems, networks, user access and ensuring ICE systems meet federal security mandates.
Thorne also leads the ICE Security Operations Center and oversees the tactical and strategic approach for managing system risks through the ICE continuous monitoring program. In addition, Thorne works closely with mission partners in support of the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and secure communications.
Mays is the executive director of Enterprise Data Management & Engineering Directorate with CBP. In his role, he leads a variety of modernization projects, such as IT modernization, cloud and AI/ML capabilities.
In July 2020, Mays noted that CBP needs more resources to standardize its hybrid cloud environment, which will enable the agency to transfer applications anywhere on the network. Standardizing cloud computing will improve interoperability and enable CBP to use more application programming interfaces in lieu of one-off builds, Mays noted.
“Ultimately our broad goal for hybrid cloud is to be able to build once and migrate anywhere based on the economic conditions at the time and based on the ability to deliver capability to our customers,” Mays said.
Join the Potomac Officers Club to hear from public and private sector leaders on how industry can assist in achieving the ICE and CBP missions. GovCon leaders of the public and private sectors will address the critical issues of securing the U.S. borders, particularly the development, implementation and procurement of new technology used in the field.
To register for the 2021 Border Protection Innovations and Technology Forum today, as well as view upcoming opportunities, visit Potomac Officers Club’s Event Page.
