SECURE (System Efficacy through Commercialization, Utilization, Relevance and Evaluation) Program

The System Efficacy through Commercialization, Utilization, Relevance and Evaluation (SECURE) Program is the Department of Homeland Security's initiative promoting public-private partnerships to develop technologies to protect homeland security.

Under the SECURE program, DHS works with the private sector to "develop detailed operational components" in the form of an Operational Requirements Document (ORD) which are posted on the DHS website. Then, private sector entities that have technologies or products "aligned to these requirements can use this valuable information to generate a business case and develop (at their cost) a fully deployable product or service" that can be used to address perceived homeland security vulnerabilities.

In August 2010, Operational Requirements Documents (ORDs) for proposed technologies on the SECURE program webpage included: "a system with a user-centric approach matched with an expansive database of past decisions and a proven method to quickly reach critical decisions in high pressure environments for wide operational use;" "an adaptable, scalable surveillance capability that provides automated, real-time protection for a wide range of operational scenarios;" a forensic camera for use in public transportation vehicles; an emergency response interoperability communications system; an explosion suppression system to protect fuel containers; and a stand-alone water purification system.

The SECURE program claims some success, particularly in the development of clean water systems.

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