From Biometrics to AI: Topics Covered at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit

The 2024 Homeland Security Summit hosted by the Potomac Officers Club on Nov. 13 brings together the foremost experts, leaders and decision makers in the homeland security sector to discuss the most urgent challenges, opportunities and priorities for federal agencies.

This must-attend event features informative keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions and top-tier networking opportunities that GovCon executives won’t want to miss — save your spot now! Here’s a look at some of the topics covered at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit:

Artificial Intelligence

AI has become a critical technology for public and private sector organizations alike. Rapid advancements in AI have made the technology not just a nice-to-have but a must.

Industry experts and thought leaders will convene with government officials to discuss what’s on the horizon for AI in homeland security missions during panel discussions at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit.

From 9:50 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. tune in to the Finding Workforce Efficiencies through AI/ML Implementation panel led by LMI VP and CTO Gary Barber to learn about how AI tools can help reduce the cognitive load on DHS’ workforce and allow them to focus more on the most critical tasks. RedHat’s Michael Hardee, Michael Prado of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Joshua Powell participate in this panel discussion.

Then, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. join M9 Solutions’ panel on DHS’s New AI Corps. This conversation will be led by M9 Solutions President and CRO Sean DuGuay and will feature Elizabeth Puchek, chief data officer for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Phil Miller of Procentrix and Matt Gilkeson, CTO and chief data officer for IT at TSA. Panelists will discuss DHS’s AI Corps, AI roadmap and how AI is being leveraged across strategic mission areas.

Simultaneously at 11:00 a.m. will be the Addressing the Data Problem to Prepare the Enterprise for AI panel. Join this discussion to hear the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Daniel Hettema, David Lindenbaum of Accenture Federal Services, Ryan Riccucci of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and moderator Chynna Sherry of ECS discuss overcoming data challenges in order to prepare large enterprises for AI implementation.

And, don’t miss the 2:30 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. fireside chat titled Accelerate AI with Trusted Data with TSA’s Kristin Ruiz and Cloudera Government Solutions’ Jason Cardone.

Customer Experience

Customer experience, or CX, is imperative for citizen-facing agencies. And, in today’s digital era, more and more agency functions are moving online, making CX even more important.

At 1:00 p.m. join TSA’s Kristin Ruiz, Dana Chisnell of DHS, Brian Durden of Rancher Government Solutions, Sarah Nolbaum of Highlight Technologies and CBP’s Janet Pence for the Case Studies of Successful CX Initiatives panel. During the conversation, panelists will explore three different CX initiatives and discuss how CX can and h as transformed missions across DHS.

Biometrics

The Department of Homeland Security’s biometric identity management system contains more than 260 million biometric data points. Currently, DHS is looking to move its massive biometric repository to the cloud.

Lisa MacDonald, director of the Identity Capabilities Management Division within DHS’ Office of Biometric Identity Management, will deliver a 3:05 p.m. keynote speech at the 2024 Homeland Security Summit to discuss the agency’s biometrics efforts in-depth.

IT Modernization

How are national security agencies automating processes to enhance efficiency? Find out during the Transforming Government Operations: Achieving Efficiency through Hyperautomation and IT Modernization panel at 1:00 p.m. Moderator Oksana Fiedler of Acuity, CBP’s Sunil Madhugiri and SAIC CTO Bob Ritchie will give their insights into modernization objectives, technological implementations and the impacts on resource management, data privacy and overall efficiency.

Cybersecurity

As the digital world expands, so does the United States’ security perimeter. Cybersecurity has become top of mind for the nation’s federal agencies, especially in homeland security missions.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s new Executive Director Bridget Bean will kick off the 2024 Homeland Security Summit with an opening keynote speech at 8:05 a.m. Join this session to learn more about CISA’s top priorities, challenges, initiatives and opportunities related to cybersecurity and other critical mission areas.

3D Simulation in Homeland Security Missions

Simulation technology has seen major advancements in recent years. With the rise of digital twins, real-time 3D simulation technologies are becoming increasingly useful and important in homeland security missions.

Learn how 3D tech is being used to train AI algorithms, plan missions and more during The Role of Real Time 3D Simulation to Transform the Homeland Mission Enterprise panel featuring moderator Scott Ariotti of Capgemini Government Solutions, VADM (Ret.) Sean Buck of the National Training and Simulation Association, Eric McLoughlin of Homeland Security Investigations, CISA’s David Mussington and ManTech’s Timothy Schaad.