The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate has awarded a grant to Texas startup Factom, Inc. to begin beta testing a digital identity security system for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
The Blockchain Factom Project, which stores data in a decentralized system, has received a $192,380 grant from DHS to conduct the final phase of developing a system to protect data collected from US Border Patrol equipment.
The Factom Project combines blockchain technology with critical infrastructure, such as sensors and cameras, to protect the integrity and validity of the data collected by these devices, according to the development team. The solutions developed by this project integrate with existing IoT devices and secure and verify data, eliminating the possibility of records being tampered with, altered or erased.
The technology will be tested in a realistic field environment with limited internet connectivity and varying weather conditions to test its performance in real-life border patrol conditions.
Work on this project began in 2016 with the first $200,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During this time, the development team presented architectural and design solutions inherent in the integration of the blockchain with existing technologies. The current grant is allocated for the fourth and final stage of beta testing of the platform.
US authorities are actively interested in the possibility of using blockchain technology. The Silicon Valle S&T Departmental Innovation Program (SVIP) allows American technology companies to develop priority innovative technologies. The winning company can receive a grant of up to $800,000 over two years from the Department of Homeland Security to develop a technology solution. In this case, the research must be carried out in the United States, and only in some cases is it possible to partially transfer part of the project abroad. In addition to Factom, more than 20 companies are developing their projects for DHS.
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