Pedro M. Allende has been confirmed as Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security, marking a new era for the agency’s research arm.
The appointment comes as DHS faces evolving technological threats and prepares for major national security challenges. The Science and Technology Directorate must accelerate innovation to protect infrastructure and enhance border security ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
“I am honored to have been confirmed as the Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security,” Allende said in a news release on January 20. He praised the directorate’s team for their “exceptional talent and steadfast commitment.”
The new under secretary brings extensive private sector experience and government service. He previously served as DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure, Risk, and Resilience Policy.
Two new Program Executive Offices will focus on aerial security and emergency response power systems. These initiatives represent ambitious expansions of the directorate’s operational capabilities.
“Our mission is not theoretical,” Allende emphasized. “It is about delivering practical capabilities and operational solutions that save lives and ensure the security of our way of life.”
The directorate faces mounting pressure to outpace technological threats. Allende pledged to foster “intellectual curiosity, rigorous excellence, and unwavering mission-driven focus” within his team.
Major national events will test DHS’s technological readiness. The FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations present unique security challenges requiring cutting-edge solutions.
“The future of homeland security is being decisively shaped right here, right now, within S&T, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” Allende declared.
His appointment signals renewed focus on research and development as cornerstone elements of the national security strategy.
