Security Innovation Hub

DRS Technologies, located at UA Tech Park, is developing innovative approaches to enhance security technology.

The security technology industry is rapidly growing and the demand provides lots of opportunity world-wide. The need to solve security issues span a myriad of places. Technology applications can secure utility plants, power grids, solar installations, manufacturing companies, airports, ports of entries and other users requiring measures as part of their business operations.

The University of Arizona (UA) is a major center of research and development in security and defense technology. The UA recently launched the Defense and Security Research Institute (DSRI) which aims to expand the University's strength in these areas. The interdisciplinary institute will help pave the way for new, mutually beneficial partnerships between the UA, government and industry. DSRI has three major objective: to help identify and coordinate significant defense and security research opportunities, to help UA faculty and research teams obtain new sources of funding through interdisciplinary collaborations and public and private partnerships, and to serve as the UA's front door to the external defense community.

The UA is also home to the Department of Homeland Security's National Center for Excellence for Border Security and Immigration (BORDERS). In addition, UA's college of Engineering, Science, Management and Optical Sciences all have strong research programs relevant to security applications.

Recognizing growth of the security technology market and building upon the University of Arizona's strength in this area, Tech Parks Arizona is developing the Security Innovation Hub in Tucson to respond to the international demand for these types of leading edge technologies. The Security Innovation Hub is being developed at the UA Tech Park which provides a strategic location and key connections to industry partners and University researchers as well as facilities including training rooms and computer labs establishing interactive ground to advance the industry. The goal of the Security Innovation Hub is to assist in the identification, research, evaluation, testing, demonstration, and deployment of security technology on behalf of government and industry.

The Security Innovation Hub offers relevance to the region including:

• Accelerate development of advanced manufacturing and contract manufacturing
• Commercialize new security technology by licensing to existing companies or by launching new start-up companies
• Attract new security companies to the region
• Accelerate investment in the region through economic development activities
• Create job opportunities for professional, skilled and entry-level workers in border communities
• Increase industry sponsored research through the University of Arizona

The Security Innovation Hub provides a strategic location:

• Close proximity to U.S. borders and Border Ports of Entry (Douglas, Naco, San Luis I and II, Nocals Deconcinni and Nogales Mariposa)
• Located at the largest university research park located on the international border, with easy access to Interstate 10, which offers opportunities to markets in Mexico, Texas and California.
• Access to major testing facilities that replicate "real world environments"
• Connection to the University of Arizona research expertise to test and evaluate new technologies
• Available skilled workforce assets including:
  • High concentration of engineers and exiting military technicians
  • Workforce training programs partnership established

The Security Innovation Hub is also part of a larger regional effort known as Innovation Frontiers Southwest (IFS). IFS is a consortium of organizations working collaboratively to develop and promote advanced manufacturing in the security and defense industry. The consortium consists of local government, economic development organizations, higher education, workforce development entities, research parks and manufacturing Extension Programs (MEP).

Founding Partners include: the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation, City of Sierra Vista, City of Tucson, Cochise Private Industry Council, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership, New Mexico State University, Pima County One-Stop, Pinal County, Tech Parks Arizona, Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities (TREO), Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation, Yuma Private Industry Council