Airports Company of South Africa and Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, earlier this year launched a search for disruptive and innovative developers to come up with a suitable Single Sign On (SSO) access management system.
The exercise has come to its conclusion and the two finalists were locked down to a hackathon set out to find a unique and impactful security solution utilising a Single Sign On (SSO) approach. Johannesburg-based team, Authentic8, was announced as the ultimate winner with its unique identity management authentication solution and team Wakanda, with its “bringing it together” solution, placed second.
Authentic8 delivered a Single Sign On (SSO) solution, built on the OKTA collaborative development platform. The team received R150 000 and immediately enters a seven-month incubation period at the Tshimologong Precinct to continue developing its solution.
Shaun Randles, Enterprise Development Manager, Tshimologong Precinct, says the hackathon not only set out to streamline and develop a single system to manage access and authentication for all systems within the Airports Company South Africa environment, but to also discover a new generation of technology driven skills: “Part of the role of the precinct is to support and grow the next generation of talent. We identified 50 impressive teams through the hackathon process, all of which had innovative solutions to the Airports Company South Africa access management system challenge.”
Airports Company South Africa owns and manages a network of nine airports in South Africa, including the three main international gateways of O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International Airports. In 2017, the nine airports facilitated nearly 41 million passengers.
Humbulani Netshieneulu, Airports Company South Africa Socio-Economic Development (SED), Senior Manager, was delighted with the outcome and says the company is excited about the Authentic8 solution: “The prototypes presented by both winners demonstrated an innate understanding of the challenges we face and the best possible solution for our access management. Using a platform for enterprise block chain, Airports Company South Africa is confident that together with Tshimologong’s guidance, Authentic8 will deliver a valuable solution.”
Intended to increase trust, efficiency and transparency, the platform was designed to be shared, replicated and is permissioned based. The Authentic8 team comprising of developers Aaron Rseke, Gift Mogeni and project manager, Mosima Matlhwana, all have diverse technology skills including cyber security, virtual reality, robotics, engineering and research. The team, in an immense collaborative effort, developed its unique identity management authentication solution with an aim to fully address the business issues outlined by Airports Company South Africa.
Wakanda presented a solution based on a combination of multiple technologies, which also looked to consolidate the access management system and address all stakeholders.
“Both solutions were forward thinking, utilising innovative technologies that clearly met the brief and addressed the access management system requirements at Airports Company South Africa. We would like to thank both teams for remaining committed to solve the brief and present very compelling solutions to the Airports Company South Africa panel of judges,” says Randles.
About Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct
Setswana for “new beginnings”, Tshimologong is one of Johannesburg’s newest high-tech addresses in the vibrant inner-city district of Braamfontein, where the incubation of start-ups, the commercialisation of research and the development of high-level digital skills for students, working professionals and unemployed youths takes place. The Precinct was launched in September 2016 with strategic support from major companies including Microsoft, Cisco, TIA, Teraco, BCX, Airports Company South Africa and MMI. Gauteng Province through its Department of E-Government and the City of Johannesburg have also provided significant support. The Precinct also houses the prestigious IBM Research’s Lab Africa – one of only 12 such facilities in the world. Website: www.tshimologong.joburg
About Airports Company South Africa
Airports Company South Africa is the largest airport operator in Africa. Our mission is to develop and manage world-class airport infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders
We manage South Africa’s nine principal airports*. In fulfilling this task, Airports Company South Africa enables more than 80 percent of South Africa’s commercial air travel. Our airports process 40 million arriving and departing passengers a year.
In the 2017/18 financial year, Airports Company South Africa reported total revenue of R6.9-billion. Currently 52% of Airports Company South Africa revenue is derived from regulated tariffs for aircraft landing and parking fees and a passenger service charge. The remaining 48% is non-aeronautical revenue generated by airport retail, parking, property and other services.
Airports Company South Africa’s global footprint extends to technical advisory services and support, airport management, and operating concessions in India, Brazil, Munich, and Ghana.
For more information please visit www.airports.co.za.