Department of Homeland Security and Technology Council Award $199,000 to Texas-based Factom

Rage Review : The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded $199,000 to Factom Inc., a blockchain technology company based in Austin, Texas, for its proposal "Blockchain Software to Prove Integrity of Captured Data From Border Devices" to ensure the security of the Internet of Things. Factom Inc. plans to use blockchain technology to authenticate devices, prevent electronic fraud and ensure data integrity. Factom already has enough expertise to implement the Department of Homeland Security's project.

Translation: Nicole

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Technology Directorate (S&T) recently awarded $199,000 to Factom Inc., an Austin, Texas-based blockchain technology company, to improve digital identity security for the Internet of Things, the Department of Homeland Security reported recently.

Factom’s proposal, “Blockchain Software to Prove Integrity of Captured Data From Border Devices,” was awarded funding for its potential to secure the Internet of Things, with the Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) Other Transaction Request (OTS) Solicitation Number: HSHQDC-16-R-00035.

Dr. Reginald Brothers

Dr Reginald Brothers, DHS Secretary of Science and Technology, said:

“IoT devices are becoming ingrained into our daily lives, from the cars we drive to the devices we wear – so it’s critical that they are protected from attack. S&T is excited to serve as a National Innovator and help us develop new solutions for the homeland security enterprise.”

DHS OTS is seeking innovative solutions to further improve situational awareness and protect the security of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors overseen by DHS.

Melissa Ho

Melissa Ho, general manager of S&T's Silicon Valley Innovation Program, said:

“The startup community is already developing innovative business solutions for the Internet of Things, so why not take advantage of that? DHS joins the community and gains access to products that will have a huge impact on our business, and we are very excited about the variety of settlement solutions that will be brought to the Department of Homeland Security.”

Factom Inc. plans to use blockchain technology to authenticate devices, prevent electronic spoofing and ensure data integrity.

The company generates an identity log that details the identity of the chain device: the manufacturer's name, available updates, known security issues and authorized authorities, and a time dimension for better security.

The goal is to limit the history of hackers compromising devices, making it more difficult to spoof them.