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Director's Message

Dear SENTRY Community,

SENTRY has been actively positioning itself to support national efforts to secure open-air and large-scale events. Our team has been collaborating with congressional delegations and government task forces to share research, testimonials, and materials that demonstrate our center’s impact and expertise.

Michael B. Silevitch

Through our government relations team, we’ve provided resources to committees exploring how best to safeguard these public spaces. As these efforts progress, we anticipate deeper engagement in shaping strategies that protect the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and similar major events nationwide.

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Woodstock Academy campus, where Practitioner Advisory Board member Larry Filippelli is currently serving as Chief Executive Officer. Accompanied by members of the SENTRY School Security Case Study Team, we met with heads of security and student support to discuss security protocols and needs specific to the school and expansive campus. SENTRY will provide the school with resources that are outputs of our research and networking as a center, in support of their efforts to maintain Woodstock Academy as a safe, secure, and learning-conducive environment.

We are excited to continue monthly updates with you as we adapt and grow. Onwards!

Research Project Spotlight

Machine Intelligence for Effective Threat Deterrence and Risk Mitigation at Soft Targets and Crowded Places

Key Accomplishments:

Network Risk Modeling and Simulation

Developed a robust network risk modeling and simulation capability designed to assess threat risks and deterrence strategies for soft transportation infrastructures, specifically for rail systems. This capability informs resource allocation decisions effectively and includes the development of spatial overlays of rail network features alongside dynamic heatmaps indicating time-varying station attractiveness predictions.

AI-Driven Network Risk Modeling for Rail Transit

Conducted a proof-of-concept analysis on the Boston urban rail network (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority - MBTA) utilizing a comprehensive software platform that encompasses three interconnected modules: (1) machine learning with graphs – for target attractiveness prediction, (2) network failure simulation – to simulate cascading network failure sequences for what-if scenario analysis, and (3) network resource optimization – for risk-informed network resource allocation.

PROBLEM:

This project addresses the challenge of effectively deterring threats and mitigating cascading risks at soft targets and crowded places, such as urban transportation systems. Specifically, the project seeks to define and quantify threat deterrence strategies across entire transportation systems, not just a specific station. Historically, this has not been easy due to the complex nature of transportation networks.

SOLUTION:

The proposed solution is to create data-driven models to understand how potential threats and prepared defenses interact across a system. These models pinpoint where security resources are needed most to keep the entire transportation network safe.

SENTRY RESEARCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO

Right: View a presentation and demo from the researchers detailing how Artificial Intelligence and Network Science, together with process knowledge, can inform resource allocations and defender strategies while efficiently reducing fragility and ensuring effective restoration to deter threats to soft targets such as urban metro rail systems, for safer, more secure public transit.

Watch on YouTube

Upcoming Events

ISC East: This in-person conference will be held from November 18 –20, 2025, in New York City. ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security and public safety event, hosted in collaboration with premier sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.

Each year, to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government, and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn, and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands. The combination of one-on-one conversations with top innovators, a variety of show events, and cutting-edge education and training makes this the most comprehensive East Coast event for security and public safety.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER