NW Pro Revolutionizes Airport Security with AI-Powered Deeper Scan

Strategic Insights -

NW Pro, a Bedfordshire-based family company, has transformed its business from designing and installing security systems to creating cutting-edge AI solutions for high-end security. With the support of the Defence and Security Accelerator's (DASA) Future Aviation Security Solutions competition funding and specialist technical support from Dstl, NW Pro developed Deeper Scan, an AI-powered electronic device screening system for airport security. This innovation has not only addressed a critical vulnerability in current airport security screening but has also won the ADS Security Innovation Award for their AI-powered CCTV system NexuSec.

Key Takeaways:

  • NW Pro's Deeper Scan system uses AI algorithms to automatically scan electronic devices and compare them against a trusted database of known devices, improving threat detection accuracy and reducing operator workload.
  • The system's algorithm remains static and transparent, addressing regulatory concerns about "black box" AI systems.
  • NW Pro received £278,000 in funding from DASA's Future Aviation Security Solutions competition, enabling the development of Deeper Scan and access to specialist support from Dstl.
  • The company has also won the ADS Security Innovation Award for their product NexuSec, an AI-powered CCTV search system that allows natural language video searches.
  • NW Pro's innovations have garnered significant recognition within the defence and security community, with the company now conducting trials with law enforcement agencies and security teams across the UK.
  • The company's success demonstrates the programme's comprehensive support model, combining funding, technical validation, stakeholder connections, and market credibility.
  • DASA's Strategic Support enabled laboratory testing, connections with key stakeholders, and exposure at defence and security events, opening doors to investment opportunities and facilitating connections with potential customers across government and industry.

Statistics:

  • NW Pro received £278,000 in funding from DASA's Future Aviation Security Solutions competition.
  • Deeper Scan uses AI algorithms to automatically compare electronic devices against a trusted database of known devices, improving threat detection accuracy.
  • The system's algorithm remains static and transparent, addressing regulatory concerns about "black box" AI systems.
  • NW Pro's NexuSec product has won the ADS Security Innovation Award.
  • The company is conducting trials with law enforcement agencies and security teams across the UK.

Sources:

  • "NW Pro Revolutionises Airport Security with AI-Powered Deeper Scan" (DASA press release)
  • NW Pro's website and social media
  • DASA's website and Future Aviation Security Solutions competition documentation
  • Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA)
  • Department for Transport
  • Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
  • National Defence and the Armed Forces Act 2001
  • Science and Technology Act 2013
  • Modern Slavery Act 2015
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)