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Security

Testing and advancing technology to protect the world from new and evolving threats

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We create cutting-edge solutions for global security challenges.

Fending off misinformation in the public square

Protecting privacy from vulnerabilities in wireless devices

Designing innovative tech to keep nation’s warfighters safe on the battlefield

Shielding global supply chains from cybersecurity threats

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Our collaborative, real-world approach in action

Rebulding America’s industrial base

Defense industrial base institute / Boston, MA

Problem

Since 1990, the U.S. defense industrial base has shrunk by two-thirds, leaving gaps in the ability to produce the next generation of submarines, ships, aircraft, drones, combat vehicles, munitions, and missile-defense systems.

Solution

The U.S. Navy selected Northeastern to harness the nation’s collective ingenuity and resources to ignite novel, scalable approaches to modernizing America’s defense industry and military supply chain. 

See how we did it
See how we did it

Our collaborative, real-world approach in action

Airport security made safer and efficient

Defense industrial base institute / Boston, MA

Problem

Since 1990, the U.S. defense industrial base has shrunk by two-thirds, leaving gaps in the ability to produce the next generation of submarines, ships, aircraft, drones, combat vehicles, munitions, and missile-defense systems.

Solution

The U.S. Navy selected Northeastern to harness the nation’s collective ingenuity and resources to ignite novel, scalable approaches to modernizing America’s defense industry and military supply chain. 

Research Institute

A solutions engine for the defense industrial base

Under Northeastern’s leadership, the Defense Industrial Base Institute builds coalitions of experts, propels research and innovation, and identifies funding and partnerships—all of which catalyze high-impact, lasting change across the nation’s defense ecosystem. 

Explore DIBI

Experts

Leadership in defense research and accelerating technology 

Stephen Flynn / Founding director of the Defense Industrial Base Institute

One of the world’s leading experts on national security and resilience, Flynn is also founding director of Northeastern’s Global Resilience Institute.

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Jon Glass / Executive director of the Defense Industrial Base Initiative

Glass holds 20+ years of executive leadership experience in business development, venture capital and private equity investing, strategic partnerships, and technology commercialization.

Read full bio

Action plan

Expertise. Ingenuity. Scalability.

  • Assemble teams of national security experts, leaders, and bold thinkers from all levels of government, industry, and academia to identify barriers to build relationships and devise actionable, creative solutions toward rebuilding U.S. industrial capacity 

  • Mobilize world-class research institutions with specialized expertise to test and validate promising practices and recommend how to roll them out nationwide 

  • Scale solutions by bringing in private investment and enabling new public-private partnerships aimed at transforming the nation’s defense industrial base 
Learn more

Rapid Solution Teams

Solutions already in motion

  • Interdisciplinary teams of experts have already begun evaluating innovative ideas and validating best practices in three distinct areas: 
    • Expanding the shipyard workforce  
    • Strengthening submarine manufacturing capacity  
    • Identifying geographic regions best positioned to lead maritime industrial base and ship and submarine production 

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Security research resources

  • Commercialization

    Launch a security startup, protect your IP, commercialize your technology, and strengthen your grant application

    Get started
  • Funding opportunities

    Search and apply for grants from the NSF, DoD, DHS, and more

    Funding opportunities
  • Institutes and centers

    Access leading-edge centers and facilities like the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things and the Expeditionary Cyber and Unmanned Aircraft System lab

    Learn more
  • Research discovery

    Find a range of security-focused research experts across disciplines and institutions, and build collaborative teams

    Research opportunities

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