One area of basic research under way at DHS involves improving the technology used by CTX machines, which screen baggage at airports. The goal is improve the algorithms that process sensor data in an attempt to improve recognition and differential in what the machines scan.

Another is project Chloe, which involves drones that fly over airports at altitudes as high as 65,000 feet in an effort to spot the thermal signature of a missile and take measures -- such as firing lasers -- to destroy it.

While emerging technologies get much attention among homeland security officials, isn't always better.

In another area, communications, David Boyd, director of command and control systems at DHS, said analog communications may be better than digital in some cases. Digital, Boyd said, requires a "high degree of fidelity" -- if the signal isn't strong enough, digital may not work. Analog, however, can be more forgiving and may be best suited for some uses. "You have to think about what you are trying to do," he said.