HMGCC Co-Creation Challenge: Personal Electronics Detector to Stop Data Leak Risk
Summary of Challenge
Detectors to spot hidden phones, smart watches or other electronic devices are sought in the latest challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation.
To prevent sensitive data being leaked, high classification government areas do not allow personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as phones.
In this challenge, we want to hear from organisations which have or could develop a PED detector to alert people to the presence of a banned device.
Organisations are being asked to apply if, over a 12-week period, they can develop and demonstrate technology to meet this challenge. HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses.
Context of Challenge
UK government, international allies and strategic partners, have facilities with high classification areas, with an increased level of security in place. In these locations, it is vital to ensure no secret recording with prohibited devices like phones or smartwatches is allowed to happen.
The gap
Good security culture and vigilance goes a long way to solve this problem, but a technical solution is required to detect and alarm, with the presence of a PED. The solution will operate in a high classification area, so must not inadvertently record sensitive information itself. The solution should also be adaptable so when new RF bands are used in commercially available PEDs, it can still detect their presence.
Dates
- Competition opens: Monday 12 May 2025
- Deadline for clarifying questions: Tuesday 27 May 2025 at 10am
- Clarifying questions published: Tuesday 3 June 2025
- Competition closes: Thursday 12 June 2025 at 5pm
- Applicant notified: Tuesday 24 June 2025
- Pitch day in Milton Keynes: Tuesday 1 July 2025
- Pitch Day outcome: Monday 7 July 2025
- Commercial onboarding begins: Friday 11 July 2025
- Target project kick-off: Tuesday 5 August 2025
Eligibility
This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.
Routes to apply
HMGCC Co-Creation is working with a multiple and diverse set of community collaborators to broadcast and host challenges. Please follow this link for the full list of community collaborators.
If possible, please submit applications via a community collaborator.
If the community collaborator does not host an application route, please send applications directly to cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk including the challenge title with a note of the community collaborator where this challenge was first viewed.
All information you provide to us as part of your proposal, whether submitted directly or via a collaborator platform, will be handled in confidence.
How to apply
Applications must be no more than six pages or six slides in length. HMGCC Co-Creation reserve the right to stop reading after 6 pages if this limit is breached. The page/slide limit excludes title pages, references, personnel CVs and organisational profiles.
There is no prescribed application format, however, please ensure your application includes the following:
This information may be exempt under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
and may be exempt under other UK information legislation. Refer any FOIA queries
to the originating department.
- Applicant details: contact name, organisation details, and registration number
- Scope: describe how the project aligns to he challenge scope
- Innovation: describe the innovation and technology intended to be delivered in the project, along with new IP that will be generated or existing IP that can be used
- Deliverables: describe the project outcomes and their impacts
- Timescale: detail how a minimum viable product will be achieved within the project duration
- Budget: provide project finances against deliverables within the project duration
- Team: key personnel CVs and expertise, organisational profile if applicable
Challenge documents
