US tech company specialising in deepfake detection among 10 firms to get CSA-NUS support

SINGAPORE – A US technology company specialising in detecting AI-generated deepfakes is among local and foreign companies selected for a programme aimed at accelerating the global growth of promising cyber-security firms.

New York-based Reality Defender is one of 10 firms in a second cohort to receive support from the CyberBoost Catalyse programme, an initiative by the CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth (TIG) Collaboration Centre. The centre is a $20 million initiative between the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) and NUS.

At a media briefing on March 25 at the TIG Collaboration Centre’s offices in Ayer Rajah, Ms Kyra Rauschenbach, Reality Defender’s government business strategist, said her company’s Singapore customers include a media organisation and organisations in the defence sector.

The company, which was started in 2021, said its model can detect AI-generated audio, video, image and text on a large scale and in near real time. It can be integrated into communication points, including telephony systems such as those used by call centres, and as a plug-in on programs such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

“So rather than just analysing and classifying AI-generated media on the public internet, we’re integrating directly into those points of communication to stop AI products,” said Ms Rauschenbach.

She added that Reality Defender has been operating in Singapore since 2021 and plans to use the CyberBoost Catalyse programme to broaden its customer base here, particularly in call centres. 

CyberBoost Catalyse was launched in July 2024 and is run by the TIG Collaboration Centre and Plexal, a British company that works with larger companies to come up with innovative solutions to problems faced by start-ups.

The programme tailors support for the selected cyber-security firms’ existing commercial products to refine their growth strategies, forge international connections, access investment and other commercial opportunities, and help them integrate into the local and global cyber-security industry.

One company in the second cohort that will benefit from the international outlook is Singapore-based Netrust, which specialises in secure digital identities and electronic transactions for governments, banks and enterprises in Asia.

Set up in 1997, Netrust is one of the most established companies in this cohort. It is accredited by the Infocomm Media Development Authority and is the first certificate authority in South-east Asia.

A certificate authority is an entity that stores, signs and issues digital certificates. These are files or electronic passwords that prove the authenticity of a device, server or user, and can be used to create secure connections to a server via the internet. They are commonly used to confirm the authenticity of a website to a web browser.

Netrust deputy chief executive officer Eugene Lam said the company is looking to grow its footprint in the region by partnering overseas counterparts.

Other companies in this second cohort include Cyb3r Operations, a British company using AI-powered tools to help organisations detect risks and secure supply chains, and Croatian start-up Legit, which helps its clients with data privacy automation and governance.

Activities run by the programme include training courses and workshops. It also helps the companies to raise funds and apply for government grants and industry support.

The first cohort for the CyberBoost Catalyse programme was announced in September 2024 and among the companies selected was Antarex Cyber.

Antarex CEO Tan Pek Loon said the programme was impactful and transformative, adding: “Its structured approach has guided us to dive deeper into understanding our unique business proposition and values, and refining our go-to-market strategy and messaging.”