In many security systems, the design and analysis can be separated into components or building blocks that may be assembled to form the final systems. Some of these building blocks are common across security systems and are the research thrusts that form the basis for the theory and design. Below are the intellectual thrusts in which Washington University has demonstrated significant accomplishments. Each thrust has a faculty member as a leader who coordinates related research and education. These research thrusts are led by Joseph O’Sullivan:

	Sensors   [ Leader: Ronald Indeck ]   Sensors and sensor subsystems for security
	Advanced Electronic Systems   [ Leader: John Lockwood ]   Researches and develops custom hardware for center-wide activities
	Information-Theoretic Signal and Image Processing   [ Leader: Donald L. Snyder ]   Exploring the theoretical limits of signal and image processing
	Recognition Theory and Systems   [ Leader: Joseph A. O'Sullivan ]   Research in the theoretical underpinnings of recognition algorithms
	Vision for Security   [ Leader: Robert Pless ]   Application and development of vision algorithms for security applications
	Distributed and Mobile Systems   [ Leader: Gruia-Catalin Roman ]   Design of distributed and mobile algorithms and systems
	Network and Information Security   [ Leader: Manju Hegde ]   Development of hardware and algorithms which can enhance network security
	Detection, Isolation, and Accommodation of Faults   [ Leader: Alberto Isidori ]   Design and analysis of fault tolerant control systems
	Law, Economics, Political Science, and Public Policy   [ Leader: F. Scott Kieff ]   Political, legal, and economic impact of security technologies