State-backed enterprise development agency Innovate UK has provided £164,000 ($257,980) in proof-of-concept funding to Metrarc, a joint spin-out of Kent and Essex universities.
The spin-out, based in Cambridge, is developing personal data security software for wearable tech platforms, such as the Apple Watch. The funding will be used to develop innovative secure systems to prevent cybercrime, and prevent hackers from obtaining data such as health information collected by wearable technology.
Karl Heeks, founder of Metrarc, said: “The market for security-based encryption for applications is growing rapidly and predicted to be enormous by 2020. We feel that there is a fantastic opportunity for key enabling technology from innovative companies such as Metrarc to help grow the Internet of Things. Our technology provides a valuable solution which will be important in a whole area of markets where enhanced security is required. The interlinking of smart devices, known as the Internet of Things, is becoming more and more widespread. This means the ability to establish trust and provenance regarding the identity and integrity of devices and infrastructure becomes a vital concern in areas where user privacy and personal data need to be respected and cyber crime prevented.”
