Acsa, Tshimologong Precinct launch hackathon challenge on airport security

Have an idea for a disruptive security access solution? Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) and Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, have partnered to launch a security access management hackathon in which three winners will each receive a seven months of business incubation.

Aimed at streamlining the company’s security access, the Acsa Access Management Challenge, hopes to find a security solution utilising a Single Sign On (SSO) approach that is both unique and able to have a significant impact on the market.

In a press release today Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct community manager Itumeleng Dhlamini says that the hub welcomes the collaborative project with Acsa and is excited to work with a host of budding IT gurus to find an appropriate access management solution.

“Acsa is a world-class airports management organisation running a wide range of systems within each of its operations.

“The issue of managing access to these systems is a major challenge and resulted in Acsa approaching Tshimologong to not only find a solution, but to use the challenge as a means to identify and build new generation IT skills,” she said.

The Acsa challenge aims to focus on developing access to IT systems

Acsa group manager of brand marketing and communications Kutlwano Mtyeku said the issue of user identification is critical within the organisation.

“We are no different to any other large organisation that uses a multitude of systems and has hundreds of users. It is imperative to link user identity, either to meet security protocols or to match the system to the user profile.

“It would prove challenging to utilise a system that requires a user ID and password, which is why Acsa wants to consider various SSO options,” said Mtyeku.

An initial hackathon briefing session will take place next Tuesday (23 January) at Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein.

Participants who have attended the briefing session and are clear about the challenge and the expectations, will be required to complete an entry form and upload a two-minute video clip describing their idea.

The top 50 entrants will be invited to participate in a three-day boot camp and hackathon. They will be guided through the process of developing a conceptual prototype and a business model canvas. At the end of the hackathon each entrant will present a 10-minute pitch to a panel of expert judges. The 10 top ideas will be selected.

The Top 10 entrants will then be given a six-week membership to the Tshimologong Precinct pre-incubation programme. They will each be assigned a mentor and given access to a range of facilities, expert advisors and resources. They will use this time to develop a working prototype and will refine their business model canvas.

Each of the top-10 entrants will get the chance to demonstrate their prototype and pitch their idea to a panel of judges during a Demo Day.

Three winners will be selected, who will each receive an additional seven-month membership to the Tshimologong Precinct incubation programme.

Mtyeku, says that while the first priority in the Acsa Challenge is to focus on developing access to IT systems, the winning solution may be expanded to include controlling access to physical spaces via systems fitted to secure doors.

“We are very excited to work with tomorrow’s IT innovators to develop exciting and disruptive security access solutions,” said Mtyeku.

To enter or find out more about the Acsa Challenge visit http://www.tshimologong.joburg/acsa/

Featured image: Skitterphoto via Pixabay.