UK reseller thwarts Somali pirates

Security reseller Global Secure Systems (GSS) has revealed it is involved in a secure Wi-Fi project to help authorities stamp out piracy off the coast of Africa.

With help from Danish firm Systematic and US outfit Rajant Corporation, the VAR has helped to develop a maritime boarding system designed to rapidly establish if suspect vessels in the area are hostile or non-hostile.

Worthing-based GSS said the system has been deployed by “a European navy” but declined to go into detail for operational reasons.

The reseller said the navy vessel in question can now use Rajant’s rugged, secure Wi-Fi equipment to establish a high-bandwidth data network between the mother ship and smaller, fast-moving rigid inflatable boats and helicopters.

The deployment follows a 200 per cent spike in piracy incidents off the coast of Africa and David Hobson, managing director at GSS, said: “We are delighted to be involved in such a significant project where at last the problem of Somali pirating can be stamped out. The Wi-Fi meshing technology is a highly secure and cost-effective solution for our client navy.”

Hobson added: “We already provide secure Wi-Fi equipment to many other security agencies and we look forward to providing these off-the-shelf solutions for other agencies including emergency responses, civil defence and counter-terrorism, as it can be successfully and inexpensively adapted for different situations.”