The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) will showcase an array of promising cybersecurity technologies at its Cyber Security Division R&D Showcase and Technology Demonstration on Dec. 16. These innovative technologies contribute to the overall cybersecurity of our nation, and highlight the critical support that S&T’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) awards play in the commercialization on these products.
S&T provides funding to assist many small businesses in developing technologies that have homeland security applications. For example, a small company based in Oak Park, IL called NowSecure leveraged $1.9 million from S&T in research and development (R&D) for cybersecurity forensic capabilities funding to develop mobile device forensics capabilities. The company subsequently raised $12.5 million from private investors to renew their focus on developing a comprehensive platform to enhance mobile device security.
These newly-created security tools became the building blocks for NowSecure’s commercialized mobile security products – NowSecure Forensic Suite, NowSecure Mobile App and the App Testing Suite. The collection of products addresses the cybersecurity risks of mobile devices, aiming to detect vulnerabilities with minimal disruption caused to the user. The funding provided by S&T was specifically focused on capabilities including a project which helps law enforcement analyze evidence from seized disposable cell phones and additional enhancements of the small business tool mobile phone forensics suite, NowSecure Forensic Suite. In 2013, free online tutorials from the disposable phone project were distributed to the law enforcement community and have been downloaded more than 3,000 times.
“Supporting small businesses is one of our priorities,” said CSD Cyber Security Division Director Douglas Maughan. “By providing funding for innovative ideas, we allow companies the opportunity to expand their technology and achieve commercial success.”
The NowSecure forensics and security tool suite will be just one of more than 60 technologies highlighted at the Cyber Security Division R&D Showcase and Technology Demonstration and Poster session on Dec. 16, which will unveil technologies, tools and techniques aimed at helping to protect and secure the nation’s critical infrastructure. Other technologies will include those in the areas of cyber economic incentives, cyber competitions, identity management, Internet measurement, software assurance, research data repositories, and experimental research testbeds. The showcase exhibits years of R&D and transition-ready technologies and concludes with an afternoon technology demonstration and poster session allowing attendees the opportunity to see more of CSD’s research portfolio.
Based on successes like NowSecure, S&T will continue to support innovative small businesses by seeking new partners with the potential to assist S&T in securing the nation’s cybersecurity posture.
CSD's 2013 R&D Showcase.