2006 Challenge
New Material "Fingerprinting" System Wins Global Security Challenge 2006
Jeff David (left) Deputy Director of TSWG congratulating Mark McGlade and Prof. Cowburn from Ingenia for winning the Global Security Challenge 2006.
A new solution for reducing counterfeiting and authenticating and tracking goods and documents has won the Global Security Challenge. In the final of the international competition, which is initiated by London Business School students, to find the most promising security start-up in the world, the $10,000 prize went to a British company formed only three years ago.
Ingenia Technology's unique Laser Surface Authentication or LSATM technology reads the surface of paper, plastics and metals using a low cost laser, analysing its structure with a reliability level of at least one million trillion. The reflected laser from the surface is used to capture microscope signatures of the surface.
This information, a material's unique "fingerprint", provides a new way of authenticating and tracking goods and documents from credit cards, ID cards and passports to medicines, automotive and aerospace components.
The Finalists 2006
The five Finalists 2006: (from left) Randall Foster - Vumii, Haydn Kelly - ScanWalk, Paul Davie - Secerno, Alexander Asanov - TIRF, Prof. Russell Cowburn - Ingenia.
The four other finalists have developed technologies that can identify people by the way they walk, protect databases, detect bioterrorism agents and carry out accurate surveillance over 5,000 feet in the dark.
Simon Schneider, co-director of the Global Security Challenge and former security consultant with IBM, said: "We have been delighted by the response that we have had to the Challenge. All of the entries were of a high quality and we hope that everyone has gained from participating. The judges had a difficult task deciding on the winner and I thank them for their perseverance and commitment."
The Judges
from left: Les Gregory - Strategy Director, BAE Systems; Dr. Alastair MacWillson - Global Managing Partner of Global Security Practice, Accenture; Jeff David - Deputy Director of TSWG, U.S. Department of Defense; Stephen Bonner - Global Director of Information Risk Management, Barclays Capital; Dr. Uwe Albrecht - Director, Siemens Venture Capital.
The judges when announcing the result said: "Our decision to select Ingenia Technology was unanimous. Ingenia has developed a potentially disruptive technology with global opportunities." In addition to a cash prize of $10,000, Ingenia Technology will receive mentorship from Siemens Venture Capital to help the company bring its product further on to the market.
Opening Keynote
Lord Drayson
Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement
Speaking before the announcement, Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Procurement commented: "Promoting excellence and innovation is a process that thrives on competition. The high standard of exciting entries in today's Global Security Challenge is proof that competition is often a vital catalyst in driving that process forward."
Morning Keynote
Dr. Ruth David
CEO of Analytic Services and frm Director of Science & Technology at CIA
Closing Keynote
Ian Jeffrey
Deputy Director of NATO Headquarters C3 Staff
Evening Speech
Dr. Eric Haseltine
Associate Director of National Intelligence for Science & Technology
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (U.S. Gov)
