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Meet the trio of London cybersecurity startups joining GCHQ’s first-ever accelerator

An AI-powered platform that monitors human behaviour in the workplace, a collective intelligence company that visualises complex and volatile sets of data, and a banking intrusion detection system that utilises deep learning to detect hacking attempts are just some of the innovations set to be explored in GCHQ’s first-ever accelerator programme.

The new GCHQ Cyber Accelerator, which is being run by global accelerator network Wayra, has revealed the first seven digital companies who will make up its inaugural cohort, and the list includes three promising online security startups from the capital.

Collective intelligence platform FutureScaper, who are currently based out of TechHub London, have developed software which provides data visualisations for clients working scenario-planning and other strategic areas to make sense of complex and volatile data sets.

Also taking part in the three-month are Spitalfields’ Spherical Defence, the company which has developed a banking intrusion system that detects hacking attempts through deep learning.

Rounding off the trio of London firms is Status Today, the Whitechapel-based company which is using metadata on its AI-powered intelligence platform to monitor human behaviour in the workplace in order to better protect companies and other bodies against insider hacking attempts.

The other participating startups include:

• Counterintelligence platform, Countercraft, which uses deception techniques to fool hackers
• Cyberowl, which has developed an early-warning system for cyberattacks
• Cybersmart, a platform that automates implementation, certification and compliance with cyber security standards
• Digital wallet and exchange platform, Verimuchme, which utilises crypto-technology for identification purposes.

Housed within GCHQ’s new Cheltenham Cyber Innovation Centre, the programme, which is a joint effort between GCHQ, Wayra, and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is aimed at scaling technologies which will help the UK evolve and adapt to the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.

Following confirmation of the first cohort, Gary Stewart, Director at Wayra UK and Telefónica Open Future_ (UK), said: “The opening of the GCHQ Cyber Accelerator is a significant step forward for the UK’s ambitions to be a global hub for cyber talent.

“By bringing together GCHQ’s world-class security expertise and pairing it with Wayra’s track record in accelerating businesses, we will give entrepreneurs with exceptional cyber security ideas the opportunity to develop them in the best possible environment.

“This accelerator could have a huge impact on the global cyber security sector, generating the next generation of systems that will make everyone’s online experience safer and more secure.”

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