For Immediate Release
DHS Science & Technology Press Office
Contact: Gwen Bausmith, (202) 254-2296
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) today awarded $200,000 to QED Secure Solutions LLC, of Coppell, Texas. The Dallas-suburb based company aims to advance secure firmware and software upgrades for Internet of Things (IoT) systems. The work is awarded under the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) Other Transaction Solicitation (OTS) aimed at non-traditional performers to offer solutions to some of the toughest threats facing DHS and the homeland security mission. The project titled “IoT Secure Trust Anchor” was awarded through Securing the Internet of Things (IoT), Solicitation Number: HSHQDC-16-R-00035, the first solicitation under the SVIP.
“We’re looking at smart ways to mitigate malicious software in support of our homeland security owners and operators,” said Acting DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Robert Griffin. “Validated, real-time monitoring of IoT networks is essential to national security.”
The Internet of Things is a convergence of mobile devices, information technology networks, connected sensors and devices. The DHS OTS call for security solutions seeks novel ideas and technologies to improve situational awareness and security to detect, authenticate and update IoT components and systems.
“QED’s work aims to provide our DHS operational components with the capability to validate third-party firmware and software updates,” said Melissa Ho, Managing Director, S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program. “We are excited to expand the SVIP’s geographic reach to find great start-up technologies across the country.”
QED is developing a robust, vendor agnostic solution for verifying and validating third-party firmware updates for IoT devices. Phase 1 of the project aims to demonstrate a fully functional system capable of validating firmware and software for five vendors.
For more information on future OTS solicitations visit http://scitech.dhs.gov/hsip or contact dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov.
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