Tag Archives: National Cyber Awards 2024

PRESS RELEASE – DataShielder Auth NFC HSM Made in Andorra from Freemindtronic Finalist Cyber Defence Product of the Year 2024!

The National Cyber Awards 2024 Celebrate Excellence in Cyber Defence Products of the Year with BAE Systems as Main Sponsor

Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra, August 5, 2024 – Cyber Defence Product of the Year finalist, Freemindtronic Andorra, proudly announces our selection for this prestigious award at the National Cyber Awards 2024. These awards, now in their sixth year, honor outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of cybersecurity.

As digital threats intensify, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Cyber attacks, including identity theft, false transfer orders, theft of sensitive data, remote and proximity industrial espionage, and theft of sensitive information from phones (such as SMS, passwords, 2FA codes, certificates, and secret keys), present extremely detrimental risks to businesses, governments, and individuals globally. The National Cyber Awards, recognized as a hallmark of excellence, set industry benchmarks. They are designed to encourage innovation, resilience, and dedication to protecting the digital landscape, promoting continuous improvement, and adopting best practices worldwide.

This year, the National Cyber Awards 2024 aim to reward those committed to cyber innovation, reducing cybercrime, and protecting online citizens. Gordon Corera, the esteemed BBC security correspondent, brings his extensive expertise to this event, covering critical issues such as terrorism, cybersecurity, espionage, and various global security concerns. He notes that the 2024 event promises a celebration of excellence and innovation within the cybersecurity industry, offering unique insights from one of the leading voices in international security.

Upholding Integrity and Fairness for Cyber Defence Product of the Year

Our independent panel of judges upholds the integrity of the National Cyber Awards evaluation process by adhering to a strict code of conduct. This ensures a fair, transparent, and robust evaluation process. We are committed to preventing any pay-to-play practices to maintain the highest standards of impartiality in our awards.

The awards ceremony includes categories such as Police and Law Enforcement Services, Public Service, Innovation and Defence, Cyber in Business, Education, and Learning. Nominees and winners will be celebrated for their significant impact on securing cyberspace against evolving threats.

Freemindtronic Andorra has been selected by the judges as a finalist for the Cyber Defence Product of the Year with our product, DataShielder Auth NFC HSM.

The event organizers notified us

“We are delighted to inform you that you have been selected by our panel of judges as a finalist for the Cyber Defence Product of the Year 2024! This is an outstanding achievement, given the hundreds of nominations we received this year. Congratulations from the entire National Cyber Awards team!”

Freemindtronic’s CEO states

“We are honored and grateful to be recognized among the leaders in cybersecurity. Being a finalist validates our commitment to innovation and protecting sensitive data and digital identities against constantly evolving threats, now assisted by artificial intelligence. We are very honored and proud to be nominated among the finalists representing the 10th smallest country in the world, Andorra, as an industrial player in cyber defense. On behalf of the Freemindtronic team and myself, we congratulate all the other finalists.”

Jacques Gascuel, CEO and Head of Research and Development, designer of counter-espionage solutions and patent holder in the UK, will be present at the award announcement ceremony.

This is the second nomination for our Andorran company Freemindtronic by the jury of The National Cyber Awards. We were previously recognized in 2021 as “Highly Commended at National Cyber Awards” and as two-time finalists in 2021. This 2024 nomination for this prestigious award marks another milestone in the design and manufacture of dual-use civil and military counter-espionage products accessible to all.

Message from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for The National Cyber Awards 2024

The Right Honorable Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, comments on the awards: “The National Cyber Awards are a wonderful way to reward, celebrate, and showcase the work of those committed to keeping us safe. Please pass on my warmest congratulations to the winners who are an inspiration to everyone in the sector who wish to protect others.”

The National Cyber Awards will take place in London on September 23, the Monday evening preceding the annual International Cyber Expo.

The organizers congratulate all the other finalists and look forward to celebrating this international event with us on September 23 at the awards ceremony! If you wish to join us for an evening of celebration and excitement, tickets and tables for the event can be purchased via the website at www.thenationalcyberawards.org.

Notes to Editors

What are The National Cyber Awards?

The National Cyber Awards began in 2019 to celebrate excellence and innovation among those dedicated to cybersecurity. These awards highlight the exceptional achievements of professionals, companies, and educators from both the private and public sectors. Industry leaders, passionate about elevating the field of cybersecurity, envisioned these awards. They recognize and inspire commitment to tackling the ever-evolving challenges of cybersecurity.

Our mission is to identify and celebrate outstanding contributions in the field. We aim to provide a benchmark of excellence for everyone to aspire to. We envision a future where every international cybersecurity innovation is recognized and celebrated. This recognition encourages continuous improvement and the adoption of best practices worldwide. With support from our sponsors, participation in the awards remains free. Each finalist receives a complimentary ticket to the ceremony, minimizing barriers to entry and making participation accessible to all.

http://www.thenationalcyberawards.org

Contact: Future Tech Events, Fergus Bruce, info@futuretechevents.com

2024 Finalists for The National Cyber Awards in the Category “Cyber Defence Product of the Year 2024”

• Appdome Unified Mobile App Defense Platform – Israel: appdome.com
• Arqit SKA Platform™ – London: arqit.uk/arqit-ska-platform
• BlockAPT Cyber Defence Platform: Setting a new paradigm for next-gen innovation – London: blockapt.com
• Graboxy AI Cybersecurity Platform – London: graboxy.com (holder of the UK National Cyber Awards AI Cyber Product of the Year 2023)
• DataShielder Auth NFC HSM – Freemindtronic, Andorra: freemindtronic.com/product/datashielder-nfc-hsm-auth

Candidate Summary

• Product: DataShielder Auth NFC HSM
• Category: Cyber Defence Product of the Year 2024
• Name: Jacques Gascuel
• Company: Freemindtronic
• Email: contact at freemindtronic.com
• Company Bio: Freemindtronic specializes in designing, publishing, and manufacturing counter-espionage solutions. Our latest innovation, the DataShielder Auth NFC HSM, serves as a dual-use counter-espionage solution for both civilian and military applications. We first presented this solution to the public on June 17, 2024, at Eurosatory 2024. It actively combats identity theft, espionage, and access to sensitive and classified data and messages through AES 256 CBC post-quantum encryption. Furthermore, it operates offline, without servers, without databases, and without needing users to identify themselves or change their habits of storing sensitive data, messaging services, or communication protocols, all while avoiding infrastructure costs.We specially designed the DataShielder Auth NFC HSM to combine security and discretion. It comes in two practical forms: a credit card-sized card and a discreet NFC tag. The card easily slips into a wallet, alongside your NFC bank cards, and it physically protects against illicit access. Meanwhile, you can attach the NFC tag, similar to an RFID access badge, to a keyring or hide it in a personal item. This approach ensures that you always have your DataShielder Auth NFC HSM at hand, ready to secure your communications, authenticate collaborators, and validate order givers, all without attracting attention.

Additional Product Features

• Compatibility with Various Communication Systems: DataShielder Auth NFC HSM supports multiple communication systems, including emails, chats, webmails, SMS, MMS, RCS, and both public and private instant messaging services. This universal compatibility allows seamless integration into existing communication environments, ensuring continuous protection without significant infrastructure changes.
• Protection Against AI-Assisted Attacks: DataShielder Auth NFC HSM provides advanced protection against sophisticated AI-assisted attacks. With robust encryption and strong authentication, the product eliminates risks posed by identity theft attempts using advanced social engineering techniques, ensuring enhanced security for users.
• Key Management Methods: The product utilizes hardware security modules with NFC technology to securely create and manage keys. The DataShielder devices securely store the randomly generated encryption keys. The system operates without servers or databases, offering end-to-end anonymity and significantly reducing potential points of vulnerability.

DataShielder NFC HSM products are exclusively available in France through AMG Pro and internationally through Fullsecure Andorra.

We thank all the members of the jury for their interest in our latest revolutionary product, the DataShielder NFC HSM.

Judges – The National Cyber Awards

• Mary Haigh: CISO, BAE Systems
• Rachael Muldoon: Barrister, Maitland Chambers
• Shariff Gardner: Head of Defence, Military and Law Enforcement, UK, Ireland & Nordics, SANS Institute
• Damon Hayes: Regional Commander, National Crime Agency
• Miriam Howe: Head of International Consulting, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
• Myles Stacey OBE: Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street
• Daniel Patefield: Head of Programme, Cyber & National Security, techUK
• Sir Dermot Turing: Trustee, Bletchley Park Trust
• Nicola Whiting MBE: Chair of Judges
• Oz Alashe MBE: CEO & Founder, CybSafe
• Professor Liz Bacon: Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Abertay University
• Richard Beck: Director of Cyber, QA
• Martin Borret: Technical Director, IBM Security
• Bronwyn Boyle: CISO, PPRO
• Charlotte Clayson: Partner, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
• Pete Cooper: Founder, Aerospace Village
• Professor Danny Dresner: Professor of Cyber Security, University of Manchester
• Ian Dyson QPM DL: City of London Police
• Mike Fell OBE: Director of Cyber, NHS England
• Tukeer Hussain: Strategy Manager, Department for Culture, Media & Sport
• Dr Bob Nowill: Chair, Cyber Security Challenge
• Chris Parker MBE: Director, Government, Fortinet (Cybersecurity)
• Dr Emma Philpott MBE: CEO, IASME Consortium Ltd
• Peter Stuart Smith: Author
• Rajinder Tumber MBE: Security Consultancy Team Lead, Sky
• Saba Ahmed: Managing Director, Accenture Security
• Charles White: Director, The Cyber Scheme
• Professor Lisa Short: Areta Business Performance / XTCC
• Emma Wright: Partner, Harbottle & Lewis LLP
• Dr Budgie Dhanda MBE: Managing Consultant, PA Consulting
• Jacqui Garrad: Museum Director, The National Museum of Computing
• Dr Vasileios Karagiannopoulos: Co-Director of Centre for Cybercrime and Economic Crime, University of Portsmouth
• Debbie Tunstall: Account Director, Immersive Labs
• Sarah Montague: HMRC