The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a grant of $192,380 to an Austin, Texas-based start-up company to support beta testing of a platform aimed to secure data from Border Patrol cameras and sensors.
The grant to Factom is part of the fourth and final phase of DHS Science and Technology Directorate's Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP).
"In Phase IV, Factom will deploy blockchain technology in a realistic field environment with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to understand its operational impacts," said Anil John, S&T Identity Management Research and Development Program Manager.
Blockchain is a technology that is highly resistant to data modification. Data can be added to a blockchain, but no information in it can be modified retroactively or deleted without alerting users.
Factom's project combines blockchain technology with critical infrastructure—such as sensors and cameras—to protect the integrity and authenticity of data collected by these devices. The capabilities developed by this project integrate with existing IoT devices and does not require the creation of blockchain-specific technology, DHS said in a statement.
The final phase of the SVIP project will see Factom testing its capability in an outside environment with limited internet connectivity and in varied weather conditions to mimic the conditions under which U.S. Border Patrol agents operate. Factom's goal is to demonstrate how IoT devices can maintain a high standard of reliability while eliminating the ability to spoof, modify or disrupt data from ground sensors and cameras. The end objective is to develop a commercially viable product ready to enter the market, according to DHS.
Under DHS Science and Technology Directorate's Silicon Valley Innovation Program, tech firms can apply for up to $800,000 as grant, which will be disbursed over a 24-month period over four phases to adapt commercial technologies for homeland security use-cases.
Currently, 23 companies are engaged in the process of developing their solutions for DHS-funded projects, incorporating technologies such as the internet of things, unmanned aircraft systems, cybersecurity solutions for financial services, global travel assessment systems, airport passenger processing and wearable technologies.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
May 08, 2026 15:50 ET Manufacturing and services sector survey results and labor market data from main economies were the highlight on the economics news front this week. Factory orders and jobs report dominated the news flow in the U.S. Similarly, industrial production data from German garnered attention in Europe. In Asia, purchasing managers’ survey results from China and the central bank decision from Australia were in focus.