News story

Strengthening security with secure encryption keys

Case study from Cambridge-based Metrarc who showcased at DSEI 2015.

Security graphics.

Metrarc has developed a novel technology called ICMetrics™ for creating secure encryption keys from the properties of digital systems, without the need to store any of the encryption data.

Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) funding has enabled Metrarc to investigate whether ICMetrics™ can be used for deriving encryption keys from the operating characteristics of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) smart devices and the associated networks or web services with which they interact.

This work highlighted the significant potential of ICMetrics™ to strengthen existing security approaches and showcased the practical use for COTS devices in future military scenarios.

Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier, CEO of Metrarc, says:

The funding and support we received from CDE has permitted us to demonstrate our ground-breaking ICMetrics™ technology to the military community and has enabled us to work with other organisations that have a need for our enhanced security technology to protect critical information and digital assets.

Metrarc is a university spin-out based in Cambridge that’s focused on developing the ICMetrics™ technology.

View the presentation slides.

About CDE

CDE funds novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research. We work with the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to develop cost-effective capabilities for UK armed forces and national security.

CDE is part of Dstl.

Centre for Defence Enterprise

Building R103
Fermi Avenue
Harwell Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX

Email cde@dstl.gov.uk

Telephone +44 (0)30 67704236

Alternative number +44 (0)30 67704237

Please email for the quickest response.

Updates to this page

Published 16 September 2015
Last updated 18 September 2015 + show all updates
  1. Link to DSEI presentation slides now available

  2. First published.