Newswise — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced on Dec. 5, that a mobile app funded by the directorate, has transitioned to the commercial market. Developed by S&T’s Visual Analytics for Command, Control, and Interoperability Environments (VACCINE) Center of Excellence, the first mobile security application archiving technology successfully transitioned over through the small business, KryptoWire.

Over the past year, the S&T Cyber Security Division (CSD) identified a mobile security project to help the government vet and inventory mobile applications quickly. The mobile application archiving project, developed by George Mason University and commercialized through a small business, KryptoWire, runs rigorous tests on Android smartphone applications to determine whether the app is safe to install. Currently the technology supports Android applications, but hopes to expand in the future to include iTunes and Windows Marketplace. “We are excited to facilitate the transition of this technology into the marketplace where it will benefit consumers,” said Cyber Security Division Mobile Security Program Manager Vincent Sritapan. “This innovative technology will help identify safe, vetted apps that users can choose from while ensuring their digital security.”

This mobile security technology will be featured in the upcoming Cyber Security Division R&D Showcase Technology Demonstration and Poster session on Dec. 16, which will unveil more than 60 technologies, tools and techniques aimed at helping to protect and secure cybersecurity across the nation’s critical infrastructure.

With the success of the mobile archiving application technology’s transition and as technology continues to evolve, S&T will continue to fund research and development for projects that can help in securing government mobile devices.