Federal government announces technology research grants

Funds cover biometrics, Web services and wireless mesh

Sandra Rossi (Computerworld)
17 March, 2008 12:22
Comments

The federal government today announced more than $5.9 million in funding for counter-terrorism science and technology research as part of the Office of National Security's, Research Support for Counter-Terrorism (RSCT) program.

Projects announced today include advanced wireless technologies for use by law enforcement and emergency service agencies in responding to terrorism incidents, the CSIRO is developing software tools to address the problem of extracting information from large and complex data sets, Macquarie University is developing software for investigative research while NICTA is testing wireless mesh products.

The University of South Australia has won a grant to improve data mining processes while the Queensland University of Technology is assessting the vulnerabilities of Web services along with potential mitigation measures.

Parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, Anthony Byrne, said the RSCT program delivers strategically focused research and development activities providing significant advancement in Australia's counter-terrorism capabilities and efforts.

As part of today's announcement, the CSIRO and Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) demonstrated the Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor (Biosensor), which received development funding under the RSCT program.

"The Biosensor's advanced technology allows users to identify a biological threat and take action immediately to deal with a specific terrorist incident, health crisis or inadvertent release of unidentified substances," Byrne said.

"The Biosensor has the capability to detect a range of substances and can even provide support in the detection of avian and equine influenza."

Other projects to receive grants include a vulnerability assessment of finger and voice biometrics to be undertaken by the Biometrics Institute.

Finally, Deakin University is assessing wireless vulnerabilities while the University of Tasmania is undertaking a framework for critical infrastructure resilience.