Spring 2024 Semester Kickoff
The Spring 2024 semester of Hacking for Diplomacy (H4Diplomacy) is officially underway! H4Diplomacy is a for-credit university class that offers the Department of State (DOS) the opportunity to collaborate with talented student teams to validate problems and develop innovative solutions. The program is sponsored by the DOS Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS).
In this newsletter, we'll be providing updates to keep you informed about the ins and outs of the program over the course of the Spring 2024 semester. A new issue will be published to detail the students' progress at major semester milestones. Keep an eye out for invitations to attend final presentations in May!
Interested in having graduate and undergraduate students work on a problem with you?
We are recruiting DOS employees for H4Diplomacy's Fall 2024 semester. Fill out a problem submission form to get started:
Spring 2024 Problem Sets
This semester, 16 Rochester Institute of Technology students are hard at work on 4 problems sponsored by the Office of Security Technology. Check out the Spring 2024 H4Diplomacy problems being worked on below.
Rochester Institute of Technology Problem Sets
Overwatch 2: Advancing next-generation C-UAS systems
Systems Integration and Monitoring Branch Problem (DS/ST/SSI/SIM)
Problem Sponsor: Roshan Daniel
Description: The Diplomatic Security Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Program Team needs to determine how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning can be used to streamline the C-UAS engagement sequence, and reduce the manpower required to operate C-UAS systems at U.S. Embassies overseas.
Smooth out the Bumps and Play Nice
Overseas Support Branch Problem (DS/ST/STO/OSB)
Problem Sponsor: Babita Kuruvilla
Description: The Department of State Office of Security Technology (ST) has an antiquated method for processing service requests and needs a faster, more reliable, and less expensive process to translate data between dissimilar data products in order to improve accuracy, transparency, and feedback, reduce lead time, and improve auditability.
Follow the TSU Road from Start to Finish
Quality Assurance and Liaison Branch Problem (DS/ST/STO/QAL)
Problem Sponsors: Steven K. Brown and Matthew Davis
Description: Stakeholders participating in Technical Security Upgrades (TSU) need a way to access all of the information about the progress of new embassies under construction and embassies being upgraded in order to increase transparency and identify any issues that may impede progress and delay openings.
Replace the Mouse Maze, and Give Them Better Cheese
Security Systems Integration Division Problem (DS/ST/SSI)
Problem Sponsor: Jay Williams
Description: Department of State personnel in overseas embassies and consulates need an easier and standard system of submitting service requests and be able to provide feedback in order to reduce the amount of time and cost it takes to fulfill requests and implement improvements.
Dr. James Santa coaches H4Diplomacy students during their first team meeting at Rochester Institute of Technology.
