Your Personal Safety. There’s An App For That

161546.jpg

Flare and was developed by a group of four students at the  Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

You are walking home after a night out on a dark autumn evening. Suddenly, you get the feeling that someone is following you. You look over your shoulder, and see a shadow between the trees in the park. You quicken your steps. When you glance behind you again, you see the shadow disappear in between two houses. 

This is when you could press the “help” button on the app that you have downloaded. It sends a message to everyone in the area who also has the app, with information about your phone number and where you are. This way they are able to call you, alert emergency services, or get to your location if need be.

This important app is called Flare and was developed by a group of four students at the  Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). “We want to start a network of users who can help each other, and by doing so, help make the world a little safer,” says Svein Grimholt, the brain behind this app.

Grimholt got the idea during the UKA student festival held in Trondheim two years ago. Every year tens of thousands of young people come together during festivals to go to concerts and other large events. In one such event, which Grimholt attended, there was a rape case, and an attempted rape, he explains, which got him thinking that there must be a way to let people around you know that you’re in need of help.

“There are apps that resemble ours, but ours is unique in that it is crowd sourced. This means that you reach out to other users that are nearby, so help can potentially arrive much quicker. The average response time for the police is between 15 and 23 minutes, meaning that the damage may already have been done by the time they get there,” Grimholt explains.
There are some problems arising from the use of this app, however. First, there is the danger of people taking the law into their own hands instead of waiting for law enforcement services, but according to the developers, the app is meant to complement them, not replace them. There is also the possibility of people sending out prank calls and calling out for help needlessly, as often happens in emergency call centers today. 

The young entrepreneurs have already had this matter taken care of and explained that the app requires verification with the caller’s phone number, so the user is connected to their identity. The information about both the person who sends out an alarm call and everyone who receives it is stored for a certain period of time, so it is possible to retrieve the info if there is a problem.
i-hls: http://http://bit.ly/1KAf8aY

« New Software To Identify ISIS Recruiters
Jobs Are Disappearing to the Digital Revolution »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

National Centre of Incident Readiness & Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) - Japan

National Centre of Incident Readiness & Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) - Japan

NISC was established as a secretariat of the Cybersecurity Strategy Headquarters in collaboration with the public and private sectors to create a "free, fair and secure cyberspace" in Japan.

Tubitak

Tubitak

Tubitak is the scientific and technological research council of Turkey. Areas of research include information technology and security.

Syskode Technologies

Syskode Technologies

Sykode Technologies is a next-generation global technology company offering an integrated portfolio of advisory services, products and solutions in areas including AI, IoT and Cyber Security.

Cynterra

Cynterra

Cynterra is a next generation cloud cyber security and data analytical service provider offering cloud security compliance, data protection, visibility and threat protection services.

ES2

ES2

ES2 is a consulting organisation specialising in Enterprise Security and Solutions Services.

Hallam-ICS

Hallam-ICS

Hallam-ICS designs MEP systems for facilities and plants, control and automation solutions, and ensures safety and regulatory compliance.

SynerLeap

SynerLeap

SynerLeap is ABB's innovation growth hub. Our aim is to help startups accelerate and expand across industries, ranging from industrial automation and robotics to grid technologies and smart cities.

HackControl

HackControl

HackControl services include penetration tests, security audits, block chain audits and brand and anti-phishing protection.

Automox

Automox

Remediate vulnerabilities 30X faster than the industry norm – and dramatically reduce your risk with simple, fast, and cloud-native endpoint hardening from Automox.

AlertSec

AlertSec

AlertSec Ensure is a U.S. patented technology that allows you to educate, verify and enforce encryption compliance of third-party devices.

SynSaber

SynSaber

SynSaber is a data collection, detection, and visibility solution that forms the foundation of industrial cybersecurity.

HORNE

HORNE

HORNE is a professional services firm supporting clients in public, private & government sectors nationwide.

GM Sectec

GM Sectec

GM Sectec is the world's largest independent Cyber Defense and Fraud Prevention firm laser focused on payment security.

Primus Institute of Technology

Primus Institute of Technology

At Primus Institute of Technology our mission is to inspire, support, and empower current and aspiring IT professionals through training and career development workshops.

Recast Software

Recast Software

Recast Software exists to simplify the work of IT teams and enable them to create highly secure and compliant environments.

Socket

Socket

Socket protects software applications and critical services from malware and security threats originating in open source code.