Sam Houston State University - Institute For Homeland Security

What Sam Houston State University - Institute For Homeland Security does

Sam Houston State University's Institute For Homeland Security (IHS) is a university research institute established in 2021/2022 within SHSU's College of Criminal Justice, headquartered in Huntsville, Texas. The institute focuses on critical infrastructure protection across five sectors: Chemical, Energy, Healthcare and Public Health, Transportation Systems, and Water/Wastewater. IHS operates three core product lines. First, a Research Library of 120+ practitioner-focused publications plus concise Research Briefs on current threats, distributed free of charge. Second, a Learning Academy delivering TCEQ-accredited online courses (priced at $25 per student) and customizable in-person courses (priced at $300 per student with minimum class sizes of 15) covering CARVER vulnerability assessment, critical infrastructure protection for executive leaders, power grid security, and hazardous materials. Third, the SimTable interactive simulation platform that visualizes wildfire, flooding, and chemical plume scenarios using terrain projection, GIS import, and CAMEO Chemicals data for tabletop and online exercises. Supporting the products are five sector-specific exchanges that convene government, industry, and academic stakeholders for collaboration, an annual Research Symposium, a podcast, and a newsletter.

IHS's business model combines public university funding with earned fee-based revenue from courses and a structured research contract program that commissions affiliates at approximately $4,500 per 90-day project. Distribution is primarily regional (Texas-focused with national research reach) and runs through direct enterprise sales for in-person training, a self-serve GeniusSIS online enrollment portal, and invitation-based sector exchange participation. Named partners include the American Chemistry Council, Dow Chemical, Chevron Phillips Chemical, INVISTA, AFPM, EHCMA, InfraGard Houston's Energy Cross Sector Council, ISCPO, and alignment with CISA and DOE frameworks. Customer concentration is high in the Texas chemical corridor and water/wastewater utility segments, with the institute serving as a public-private convenor rather than a commercial vendor.

Name

Sam Houston State University - Institute For Homeland Security

Legal name

Institute For Homeland Security - Sam Houston State University

Website

https://ihsonline.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sam Houston State University's Institute For Homeland Security is a Texas-based academic research institute that provides practitioner-focused research, accredited training, and the SimTable simulation platform to protect critical infrastructure across five sectors: Chemical, Energy, Healthcare, Transportation, and Water/Wastewater.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Critical Infrastructure Protection Training and Research

NAICS

National Security (928110)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDALAEAD

Emergency Management & Incident Command (EOC/ICS)

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Campus Safety, Security & Emergency Management

Keywords

• Critical infrastructure protection
• Homeland security research
• Security training programs
• Emergency preparedness education
• Tabletop exercises

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Development Courses: IHS Learning Academy generates revenue through fee-based online and in-person professional development courses. Online courses such as Incident Command Systems for Water Operators are priced at $25 per student. In-person courses such as CARVER Vulnerability Assessment for Water Operators are priced at $300 per student with minimum class sizes. Customized in-person training is priced variably based on location, number of students, and course length. These courses offer continuing education credits (CEUs) for water/wastewater operators licensed in Texas, certified through TCEQ approval.
2. Research Contracts and Grants: IHS commissions research from affiliated researchers and subject matter experts through a structured proposal process. Contract awards are typically $4,500 per research project with a 90-day timeline. Research topics cover critical infrastructure protection across energy, transportation, healthcare, water/wastewater, chemical, and cybersecurity sectors. IHS publishes research papers and briefs on its Research Library platform, serving both practitioner and academic audiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sam Houston State University Institute for Homeland Security (IHS) is a practitioner-focused research and training institute dedicated to critical infrastructure protection across five sectors: Chemical, Energy, Healthcare, Transportation, and Water/Wastewater. It delivers accredited online and in-person training courses, conducts applied research, and operates the proprietary SimTable interactive tabletop exercise platform for emergency scenario visualization. The institute also hosts sector-specific exchange forums, an annual research symposium, and a media program (podcast and newsletter) that bridges academia, government, and industry stakeholders.

Product overview

The Institute for Homeland Security at Sam Houston State University operates as a research and education center providing practitioner-focused products and services across five critical infrastructure sectors (Chemical, Energy, Healthcare, Transportation, and Water/Wastewater). The core offering consists of a Research Library with 120+ publications, Research Briefs on current topics, and a Learning Academy with both online self-paced courses (Incident Command Systems for Water Operators, Emerging Technology courses) and customizable in-person training programs (Critical Infrastructure Protection for Executive Leaders, CARVER Vulnerability Assessment, Protecting the Power Grid). The flagship product is the SimTable Interactive Tabletop Exercise system, which provides simulation modeling for fire, chemical plume, and flooding scenarios. The institute also facilitates Sector-Specific Exchanges for stakeholder collaboration and produces media content through podcasts and newsletters. The IHS Research Symposium 2026 represents the organization's premier annual event focused on Critical Infrastructure Protection and the Texas Nexus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SimTable Interactive Tabletop Exercises Custom interactive tabletop exercises delivered using the proprietary SimTable emergency simulation platform for visual scenario development. Designed for critical infrastructure stakeholders to rehearse emergency response, wildfire, flooding, and chemical plume scenarios in a guided, practitioner-led environment.
• Online Course Catalog Self-paced online training courses accessible through the IHS Learning Academy, covering critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity awareness for water utilities, CARVER vulnerability assessment, and incident command systems for water operators. Several courses carry TCEQ-approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
• In-Person Course Catalog On-site, instructor-led training courses delivered at customer locations or partner sites, covering topics such as water/wastewater operations, pipeline safety, and critical infrastructure protection for executive leaders. Tailored to the requesting organization.
• IHS Research Library Searchable repository of 120+ applied research publications, including journal articles, theses, technical reports, and conference papers authored by IHS staff and faculty affiliates across the five critical infrastructure sectors.
• Research Briefs Concise, plain-language summaries of IHS research findings on topics such as drone-based detection of buried infrastructure and threat mitigation for water/wastewater systems, produced for practitioner and policymaker audiences.
• Sector-Specific Exchanges Forum programs for the Chemical, Energy, Healthcare, Transportation, and Water/Wastewater sectors that convene practitioners, regulators, and researchers to share threat intelligence, best practices, and partnership opportunities within each critical infrastructure vertical.
• IHS Media Podcast and Newsletter Original multimedia programming — including the IHS Media podcast and monthly newsletter — that disseminates applied research insights, expert interviews, and sector updates to subscribers and the broader homeland security community.
• IHS Research Symposium 2026 Annual applied research symposium held on the SHSU campus in Huntsville, Texas, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and students to present findings across the five critical infrastructure sectors. The 2026 edition is scheduled for February 24, 2026.
• Incident Command Systems for Water Operators Online, self-paced course covering the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) tailored to water and wastewater utility operators. Listed at $30 in the IHS online catalog.
• Critical Infrastructure Protection for Executive Leaders Online course designed for board-level executives and senior decision-makers covering strategic-level critical infrastructure protection, risk governance, and executive response responsibilities. Listed at $100 in the IHS online catalog.
• CARVER Vulnerability Assessment for Water Operators Online, self-paced course teaching the CARVER + Shock methodology for conducting critical infrastructure vulnerability assessments, with application examples for water and wastewater systems. Listed at $30 in the IHS online catalog.
• Protecting the Power Grid Online, self-paced course covering threats to electrical grid infrastructure, attack scenarios, and protective measures relevant to energy sector security professionals. Listed at $30 in the IHS online catalog.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120+ research publications published through IHS
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability11 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Energy Security CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Energy Security Council is listed as a partner of the IHS Energy Sector Exchange. IHS Energy sector lead Robert Crane and Deputy Director Clyde Loll are involved with the council, which operates under InfraGard Houston's cross-sector council structure for energy security collaboration.
• InfraGrad Houston - Energy Cross Sector CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the InfraGard National Members Alliance, the Energy Cross Sector Council brings together public and private sector professionals to address energy infrastructure protection. IHS participates in this council as part of its Energy sector engagement.
• American Chemistry CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Chemistry Council is listed as a partner of the IHS Chemical Sector Exchange. The council represents U.S. chemical manufacturers and promotes safety, security, and sustainability in the chemical industry.
• Chevron Phillips ChemicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChevron Phillips Chemical is listed as a partner of the IHS Chemical Sector Exchange. As a major chemical manufacturer, Chevron Phillips contributes industry expertise to IHS's chemical sector programs.
• Dow ChemicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDow Chemical is listed as a partner of the IHS Chemical Sector Exchange. As a global materials science company, Dow participates in IHS sector programs to advance chemical facility security and resilience.
• East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEHCMA is listed as a partner of the IHS Chemical Sector Exchange. The association represents manufacturers in the East Harris County area of Texas, a region with significant petrochemical concentration along the Houston Ship Channel.
• INVISTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVISTA is listed as a partner of the IHS Chemical Sector Exchange. INVISTA, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, produces chemical intermediates and polymers for various industries.
• American Fuel & Petroleum Manufacturers (AFPM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFPM is listed as a partner of the IHS Chemical Sector Exchange. AFPM represents refiners, petrochemical manufacturers, and renewable fuel producers, supporting IHS programs related to fuel and petroleum sector security.
• International Supply Chain Protection Organization (ISCPO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHS Deputy Director Clyde Loll was appointed to the ISCPO Board of Directors in January 2026, representing IHS in supply chain protection discussions and connecting IHS programs with supply chain security professionals.
• Texas Commission of Fire ProtectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClyde Loll was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to serve as a State Commissioner on the Texas Commission of Fire Protection from 2020 to 2023, establishing a formal link between IHS and state fire protection policy.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISA is referenced as the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience. IHS aligns its research and sector programs with CISA frameworks including National Security Memorandum 22 and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan.
• U.S. Department of EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Department of Energy is referenced as the sector-specific agency for the Energy sector nationally. IHS coordinates with DOE on energy security research and aligns its Energy sector goals with federal energy infrastructure protection priorities.
• SHSU Industrial Advisory Board (Engineering & Technology Department)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClyde Loll serves on the SHSU Industrial Advisory Board within the Engineering & Technology Department, linking IHS to university academic programs and student development initiatives.
• International Board for Certified Safety Managers (IBFCSM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClyde Loll served as a long-standing board member for the IBFCSM (retired), connecting IHS to professional safety management certification and standards communities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX): Texas-based emergency response and workforce training provider within the Texas A&M University System. TEEX is the closest functional peer - same geographic focus, similar practitioner-focused training model, and overlapping emergency management/incident command course offerings for first responders and operators.
• SANS Institute: Largest cybersecurity and critical infrastructure training provider globally, with online and in-person course delivery and professional certifications. SANS competes directly with IHS in the cybersecurity/OT training segment for critical infrastructure operators.
• InfraGard: FBI-affiliated public-private partnership dedicated to critical infrastructure protection. InfraGard's sector-specific chapters (including InfraGard Houston's Energy Cross Sector Council, where IHS participates) compete for the same cross-sector convening role in critical infrastructure communities.
• Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: DHS-designated Center of Excellence focused on critical infrastructure resilience research and education. CIRI competes for the same federal funding pool and operates with an overlapping mission of resilience training and applied research.
• Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security (CIPHS) at George Mason University: University-based center focused on infrastructure protection and homeland security law, policy, and research. Direct competitor in the same academic critical infrastructure protection niche, with practitioner-oriented outputs.
• National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at University of Maryland: DHS Center of Excellence producing homeland security research and training. Same university-based model for generating practitioner-focused research with federal alignment, though START's focus skews toward terrorism rather than infrastructure.
• ASIS International: Professional association for security management providing certifications, training, and thought leadership. ASIS competes for the same executive and practitioner security training audience IHS targets with its Critical Infrastructure Protection for Executive Leaders course.
• Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE) at USC: DHS Center of Excellence conducting homeland security risk and economic analysis. University-affiliated research model with similar practitioner-facing publications and federal funding alignment.

Broad incumbents

• Idaho National Laboratory (INL): DOE national laboratory with a deep specialization in critical infrastructure protection and OT/ICS cybersecurity research. INL operates at significantly larger scale and federal funding levels, competing for both research grants and incident response training engagements.
• Argonne National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory conducting infrastructure resilience and security research across multiple sectors. Overlaps with IHS's energy and chemical sector research but operates as a much larger, federally-funded institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-homeland-security

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sam Houston State University - Institute For Homeland Security