As cyber attacks become increasingly sophisticated and accelerated, the value of AI-based security technologies, such as automatic detection and response to security threats and automated security monitoring, is expected to rise; accordingly, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency are stepping up to foster security companies.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (hereinafter MSIT) and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (hereinafter KISA) announced on the 14th that they are launching the 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Security Prototype Development Support' project to intensively foster 60 leading global AI-based security companies by 2025.

This project is designed to identify and intensively foster AI security companies that utilize AI technology in product and service development to respond to advanced security threats, and it is conducted for up to two years, divided into the first and second years.

The first year is a project that identifies promising AI security companies and supports them with costs for prototype development and technical consulting after feasibility verification, and it has been implemented since 2021.

The second year is a project that selects outstanding companies among those that have completed prototype development, supports product commercialization and business development, and links them to the development of international market channels and overseas expansion; it is scheduled to be implemented for the first time this year.

The funding amounts to approximately 700 million won over two years in the form of a matching fund between the government and the private sector, with a maximum of 300 million won in the first year and a maximum of 380 million won in the second year per company.

The ratios for subsidies and private contributions will be applied differentially based on company size.

Participating companies will be recruited through a public call, and applications can be submitted from Monday, February 7, 2022, until 14:00 on Monday, March 7.

Detailed information regarding the contest can be found on the Korea Internet & Security Agency website.

We plan to hold a business briefing session on KakaoTV and YouTube on Tuesday, February 15 to provide information on the details of the support and how to apply.

You can watch it again on the 'Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) AI Security Enterprise Development' channel on KakaoTV and YouTube.

Companies wishing to participate can apply regardless of company size and can choose to participate in one of the following fields: AI For Security, AI Convergence Security, or AI Negative Response.

Hong Jin-bae, Director General of Information Security and Network Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, “Artificial intelligence security technology must be essential to respond to increasingly sophisticated security threats,” adding, “We will take the lead in revitalizing the AI security industry by discovering and nurturing domestic AI security companies, and we promise continuous government support to help them grow into world-class AI security enterprises.”