Introducing the H4HS Newsletter
Welcome to the first edition of the Hacking for Homeland Security Newsletter. You are receiving this update because you have contributed to the ongoing success of H4HS. Whether you participated in a team interview, sponsored a problem, or helped teach an H4HS class - you have had an impact on these students’ learning.
In each issue, we'll be providing updates to keep you informed about the ins and outs of the program over the course of the semester.
Fall 2022 H4HS Problems
H4HS has kicked off its fifth semester! There are 7 teams, comprising 25 students, at Rochester Institute of Technology and Texas A&M. Students are already hard at work getting to the heart of their chosen problems, sponsored by TSA, HSI, FEMA, and CISA. Check out the Fall 2022 H4HS problems being worked on at each university listed below.
Rochester Institute of Technology
CISA Problem: This is 9-1-1; What's Your Emergency?
Description: Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) call takers need a way to prioritize multimedia incident information to dispatch resources effectively and quickly.
FEMA Problem: Disaster Risk Projection
Description: FEMA Region I Planning Team needs a process to evaluate the overall risk of increased tornadoes, floods, and blizzards in New England urban environments to better anticipate long-term climate change-induced disaster impact.
HSI Problem: Data [for] Migration
Description: HSI’s Parole and Law Enforcements Program Unit (PLEPU) needs a way to more efficiently record and process temporary parole data to expedite the temporary entry of non-U.S. citizens into the United States.
TSA Problem: Translation to Manifestation
Description: Transportation security officers need real-time translation and communication tools to guide non-English speaking passengers through the screening process efficiently.
Texas A&M University
TSA Problem: Beating Bias in Artificial Intelligence
Description: TSA’s screening officers need more reliable means to screen alternative headwear or hairstyles to prevent unnecessary delays and unintentional discrimination.
TSA Problem: Consolidation of Configurations
Description: TSA’s Open Architecture experts need a way to standardize CT image transfer across multiple screening hardware tools to increase flexibility for system updates.
TSA Problem: More Mobility
Description: DFW Airport experience teams need a more efficient way to accommodate those with mobility needs to ensure seamless passage through security checkpoints for all passengers.
H4HS Student Update
Students are now at the critical (and fun!) part of the semester... Beneficiary Discovery.
With their Problem Sponsor's help, student teams will be conducting at least 30 interviews throughout the month of October in a process called “beneficiary discovery.” By using this process, students will try to develop a 360-degree understanding of the problem and find the most viable, feasible, and desirable solution to tackle it.
From there, students will test their hypothesis to validate assumptions built around the challenge and its ecosystem. This leads to rigorous, evidence-based solution crafting.
A visual overview of the entire H4HS timeline. Currently, student teams are conducting interviews through a process called "beneficiary discovery" to validate criteria for solution pathways.
For more information about the program, future events, and how to participate in an upcoming semester, visit h4homelandsecurity.us.