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Advancing Software for National Security: About the SEI
At the SEI, we advance the DoW’s mission by researching complex software engineering, cyber, and AI problems; creating and testing innovative technologies; and transitioning mature solutions into practice.
What We Do
Sponsored by the Department of War’s (DoW’s) Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances software, artificial intelligence, and cyber as a strategic advantage for national security. We help the DoW respond quickly to national challenges and emergencies. We partner across government, university research labs, and industry to accelerate the transition of industry-developed technologies and best practices into the DoW by conducting objective research and maturing new technology.
A Trusted Partner
Because of this long-term partnership, the SEI has developed a deep understanding of both the DoW's mission and the challenges the DoW seeks to address now and going forward. The SEI is able to offer expert advice on DoW policy and has built the collaborative culture, stature, and community trust to lead national research initiatives to meet the DoW's current and future technology challenges in acquisition transformation, software engineering, cyber, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Based at Carnegie Mellon University
With offices in Arlington, Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the SEI collaborates closely with our DoW sponsor in Washington, DC, while also working at the cutting edge of technical excellence in our headquarters at Carnegie Mellon University. A national and international leader in higher education and research, Carnegie Mellon University has been a leader in innovative technology since its early days and continues to be a global leader in cybersecurity, AI engineering, and software initiatives. As part of the university’s world-class community of researchers and innovators, our technical staff is fostering tomorrow’s leaders in software engineering.
Impact
Committed to keeping our nation safe, the SEI advances the DoW’s mission by leveraging new technologies and developing new solutions to respond to the increasingly complex threats—and opportunities—that accompany the evolution of software. As software continues to rapidly evolve and offers advancements and risks in almost every aspect of our daily lives and in every major field, the scope and value of the SEI’s impact continue to grow.
Key highlights:
- Collaborated on the DoW’s Software Acquisition Pathway
- Created the first Artificial Intelligence Security Incident Response Team (AISIRT)
Our People
Highly accomplished with varied skills and expertise, SEI staff members come from different backgrounds and have unique perspectives, which strengthens our ability to succeed in our mission.
Researchers
Our experienced researchers explore complex software engineering, cyber operations, and AI engineering to develop solutions that streamline rapid, iterative approaches to development; drive software affordability; ensure cyber workforce readiness; leverage emerging technologies; and more.
Innovators
The SEI is home to many skilled developers who prototype and create technologies. They apply novel tools, techniques, and practices throughout the software acquisition and cyber operations lifecycle. They also back up our technologies with the know-how to provide the DoW with both rapid-response and long-term support.
Leaders
Advancing the DoW’s mission within and beyond the walls of the SEI, staff members serve in leadership roles in government, industry, and academia. For example, two individuals served as the DoW’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation directly after leaving the SEI. Others serve as leaders at IEEE, ACM, INCOSE, FIRST, and the National Academy of Engineering.
Collaborators
Our staff members collaborate with academia, government, and private industry to advance the DoW’s mission. These collaborations help bring innovation to the DoW faster, in a mission-focused, risk-managed way.
Educators
In addition to creating courses and learning platforms for the DoW that tens of thousands of servicepeople have used, our passionate educators also partner with Carnegie Mellon University to educate students and professionals to promote a safer, smarter, and more efficient workforce—and world.
Collaborations
Our partnerships across the DoW, other federal agencies, academia, and industry enable us to take innovations from concept to practice, closing the gap between research and use. Through these collaborations, we’re also able to introduce innovative solutions to improve the development, acquisition, operation, and sustainment of software for the DoW.