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  4. CBP Partners with DHS S&T and Columbus-Based Start-Up to Improve

CBP Partners with DHS S&T and Columbus-Based Start-Up to Improve

Release Date
Thu, 04/27/2017

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced today a $199,814.31 award to Asymmetric Technologies, LLC, to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) security. CBP’s use of sUAS enhances mission capabilities and supports U.S. Border Patrol agents’ activities, including greater overall situational awareness and detection, tracking, apprehension, and search and rescue operations. The project 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.

“Through the Silicon Valley Innovation Program, CBP has the opportunity to address our emerging technology needs, one of which is protecting our sUAS systems against a cyber-attack,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. “Developing technologies and capabilities to secure our hardware and software platforms is critical for deploying sUAS technology.”

Asymmetric Technologies, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, proposes to develop a platform-agnostic Secure UAS Flight Controller (SUFC) and improve the cybersecurity of CBP-deployed commercial systems. The effort aims to reduce the risk of cyberattacks on the Department’s sUAS platforms by ensuring secure communication and control mechanisms with operators, utilizing secure surveillance telemetry streams, and leveraging on-board hardware security to prevent unauthorized access of data.

“Simple enhancements to deployed systems can become the differentiator in both technology lifespan and mission success,” said Acting DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Robert Griffin. “I am pleased S&T can help partner DHS operators with innovative technologies and solutions from the nation’s start-ups.”

Companies participating in the SVIP program are eligible for up to $800,000 in non-dilutive funding to adapt commercial technologies for homeland security use cases. This is the fifth award under the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Capabilities Solicitation – HSHQDC-16-R-00114 one of five active calls under the SVIP.

For more information on current and future OTS solicitations, contact dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021