Who We Are
Most people never hear about the labs that help protect the country, but their work shapes the tools, policies, and decisions that keep us safe.
At the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), we help answer some of the hardest questions in national security: What new technologies can we trust? How should they be used? And how do we stay a step ahead?
ARLIS is one of only 15 Department of War (DoW)–designated University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), and the only one dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and technology transition to provide engagement advantage for U.S. national security. ARLIS is a long-term strategic asset for research and development (R&D) in AI, information engineering, acquisition security, and social systems.
Why We Exist
As national security keeps evolving and new technologies emerge faster than policies, adversaries are constantly finding new ways to influence people, disrupt critical infrastructure, and attack the systems the country relies on.
That’s where ARLIS comes in. To help the government navigate that complexity.
As a long-term, trusted partner, we give defense and intelligence leaders a place to turn when they need independent analysis, technical expertise, and honest answers about what’s possible, what’s risky, and what should come next.
How ARLIS Protects
Our impact shows up in the decisions that shape national security.
- We evaluate emerging technologies like AI systems, quantum tools, and autonomous platforms to understand where they can help and where they might fail.
- We model human behavior and information environments so leaders can see how narratives spread, how adversaries influence, and how populations might respond.
- We analyze supply chains, industrial ecosystems, and insider‑risk factors to help protect the people, technologies, and organizations that support U.S. advantage.
We protect by reducing uncertainty for people making high‑stakes choices.
Why This Matters
It’s easy to think of national security in terms of hardware and headlines but underneath it all is a constant stream of decisions: Which risks are acceptable? Which technologies should we trust? Where should we invest time, money, and attention?
ARLIS exists to make those decisions better.
By combining deep technical knowledge with an understanding of human behavior, organizational realities, and mission constraints, we help ensure that:
- New capabilities are tested and trusted before they are deployed
- Policies and strategies account for both technology and people
- The United States maintains an information and engagement advantage in a world where that edge is increasing contested.
Follow along as we share more stories about our work, our people, and the impact we’re building.