San Diego, Calif. – Jul 20, 2020 – ObjectSecurity, The Security Automation Company, today announced that it has been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract from the Navy to advance the capabilities of the US Department of Defense (DoD). Entitled “Trusted Sensor Integration”, the Phase I STTR focuses on building both analytical/statistical and Machine Learning based models of the static and dynamic behavior of individual sensors and systems. The proposed solution uses the imperfections of the sensor in translating the physical input to a numeric output to derive a fingerprint. It will stimulate a simple cyber-physical system, e.g. an engine, to measure the sensor output, and to feed both stimulation signals and sensor outputs into an RNN. A realistic training here depends on the realistic stimulation.
As stated in the original solicitation titled “Cyber Resilience of Condition Based Monitoring Capabilities”, The project, carried out in collaboration between ObjectSecurity LLC and subcontractor Mississippi State University, aims for successful technology development and transition that will result in a secure CBM+ sensor node that can minimize human intervention and reduce the number of machinery overhauls, shorten time spent in depot for repairs, and optimize maintenance logistics by at least 50%. Condition-based maintenance plus (CBM+), and cyber-physical systems (CPS) in general, depend on correct sensor data for analysis, decision making and control loops. If the sensor data arriving at the point of processing is not correct, or more accurate, outside its accepted error range, then any further processing will be incorrect as well. This could result in, in the case of CBM+, not detecting indicators of failing, e.g. of vibrations or noise. It could also be an incorrect input to a control loop, leading to destruction of a system. The challenge includes correctness of measurement, but also the integrity of communication between sensor and e.g. a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or another processing system.
“The award of this Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) focused Phase I STTR grant is an important milestone for ObjectSecurity and underscores the strength of our science innovation that underwent rigorous peer review. It allows us to prioritize research efforts into needed features for the DoD,” said Ulrich Lang, CEO of ObjectSecurity. “SBIR/STTR contracts allow us to research and develop advanced concepts that feed into rapid product development, enabling us to commercialize next-generation innovative products that will bring tremendous value to the DoD, and our customers across all industries. We are committed to leading this initiative with the DoD to protect DoD’s embedded systems from adversaries by delivering advanced next-generation technology solutions.”
The federally-funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in research and development that has significant potential for commercialization of innovative products, and their eventual transition into DoD programs. The program’s chief role is to bridge the gap between the performance of basic science and the commercialization of resulting innovations.
About ObjectSecurity
ObjectSecurity LLC is The Security Automation Company. A privately held company based in San Diego, CA, ObjectSecurity’s mission is to reduce cybersecurity effort, complexity, and cost through innovative cybersecurity automation technologies, including security policy automation, supply chain risk analysis automation, and vulnerability assessment automation.
- Supply chain risk analysis automation: ObjectSecurity SCRAMS analyzes procurement data and microelectronics for supply chain risks. In 2019, we added analysis support for SAP, and circuit board risk analysis as a finalist at an AFWERX Challenge.
- Security policy automation: ObjectSecurity OpenPMF offers powerful yet manageable technical security policy implementation. In 2019, we improved user and dev experience, and increased the reach of our consistent “umbrella” platform – covering people, process, tech layers, and policies (ABAC & more). ObjectSecurity was selected “Cool Vendor” by Gartner for OpenPMF
- “AI hacker” automation: ObjectSecurity VAPTBOX, an ongoing commercialization of the just-funded SBIR Phase II, is an intelligent automated vulnerability assessor and penetration tester that uses artificial intelligence to adapt. In 2019, we received a multi-million, multi-year government investment to fully develop VAPTBOX.
About “Trusted Sensor Integration”
