Innovation Exchange challenge: Secure Global Wireless Connectivity for Traveling Workforce
SIS/MI6 seek innovative means to protect the communication between wireless peripherals and devices for their travelling workforce.
Opportunity Details
When
Registration Opens
17/12/2024
Registration Closes
17/01/2025
Award
The challenge holder has a range of commercial arrangements (including flexibility around IP) for sole traders, micro, small and medium size businesses. Should you be shortlisted, these will be discussed with you in advance. It is likely that contracting will, in the first instance, be through channel partners for initial evaluations, and will be a straightforward set of terms.
The UK Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), also known as MI6, have a globally travelling workforce which needs to operate in environments where the ability to provide robust and enduring physical security can be challenging. One of the ways we limit certain threats is by using wired connectivity. Going forward, this form of mitigation cannot be relied upon, and as such, we are looking for innovative means to protect the communication between wireless peripherals and the devices that our travelling workforce are provided with.
To provide additional context, like any global travelling user, our users could operate in environments varying from static hotel rooms to being mobile in trains, ships, planes and automobiles. A requirement not to look out of place is, therefore an advantage.
The travelling user will use any form factor of the device, e.g. laptop, tablet, phone, or watches, with future aspirations for VR devices as they develop.
The threat to wireless communication can vary considerably both within the user’s working environment and externally.
Eligibility
The challenge holder is keen to hear from a range of sole traders, small and medium-size businesses (start-ups, SMEs) and academia.
As this challenge requires safely transporting highly classified material, there may be a requirement to engage with the UK cyber authority.
Scope
Selection of suitable hardware capable of being used or modified to meet the requirements in the challenge statement. We are also looking to develop appropriate protocols and encryption, in collaboration with selected hardware provider, to protect the wireless transmission of highly classified communication to and from commercial or liked-sized peripheral devices.
For this challenge, the scope can be limited to a standard wireless headset as it provides bi-directional comms, making the communications’ quality critical.
For full details and technical requirements, visit the Innovation Exchange site at the link below.