Deeper insights, safer skies: AI security screening innovation boosted by DASA
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-09)

NW Pro, a family company based in Bedfordshire, has transformed from designing, installing and maintaining security systems, to creating cutting-edge AI solutions for high-end security.

- NW Pro developed Deeper Scan, an AI-powered electronic device screening system for airport security, through DASA’s Future Aviation Security Solutions competition funding - and specialist technical support from Dstl.
- The DASA support enabled critical laboratory testing with real explosives, stakeholder connections, and market credibility that accelerated the technology from concept to commercial trials.
- The company won the ADS Security Innovation Award for their AI-powered CCTV system NexuSec, demonstrating how MOD investment drives British innovation in defence and security technologies.
Through the Defence and Security Accelerator’s Future Aviation Security Solutions (FASS) programme, NW Pro developed Deeper Scan, an innovative electronic device screening technology that is revolutionising airport security.

Deeper Scan addresses a critical vulnerability in current airport security screening. Traditional methods for detecting threats in electronic devices rely heavily on human operators making rapid judgements about complex X-ray images, leading to inconsistencies and potential security gaps.

“We started by supplying and maintaining off-the shelf products, but over time, we found what customers wanted didn’t exist. We evolved by listening closely to end-user needs,” explains founder and director Jay Richards. “The DASA experience enabled us to find ways to meet customer demands that we didn’t know how to achieve at that stage”.

The Technology Behind Deeper Scan

The system uses AI algorithms to automatically scan electronic devices and compare them against a trusted database of known devices. When scanning a laptop, tablet, or phone, the technology can identify any modifications or anomalies that might indicate concealed threats. Unlike conventional scanners that simply highlight areas with suspicious chemical compositions, Deeper Scan provides fully automated analysis without requiring constant human intervention.

The portable cabinet-based system provides a secure, automated screening process that significantly reduces operator workload whilst improving threat detection accuracy. The technology can process devices in seconds, with scans automatically sent to a secure control room for expert review if unknown devices or potential threats are detected. This hybrid approach combines AI efficiency with human expertise for comprehensive security coverage.

“We spent hours listening to end users, and that can be the difference between delivering something good and something great. We developed the Deeper Scan concept, understanding what the problem was and is, and we work dynamically. We don’t just deliver technically but operationally what it needs to do.”

The system’s algorithm remains static and transparent, addressing regulatory concerns about “black box” AI systems. New device scans are reviewed by qualified personnel before being added to the trusted database, ensuring the learning process is fully supervised whilst maintaining system reliability. This approach provides a practical compromise between cutting-edge technology and current regulatory frameworks.

A key advantage of Deeper Scan is its versatility. The software can be installed on existing X-ray systems, providing significant cost savings for security organisations. Deeper Scan can also be deployed flexibly - either installed locally at the edge or hosted on a central server - depending on operational requirements.

DASA’s Strategic Support

The DASA experience proved pivotal in accelerating NW Pro’s innovation journey. Beyond financial support, the programme included specialist support from technicians from Dstl. NW Pro were provided access to specialised testing facilities, lending crucial credibility to the technology’s capabilities.

“DASA enabled laboratory testing, which validated our technology’s credibility. We no longer had to rely on simulated proof and could tell customers that we’d tested the technology,” Richards emphasises. “It also connected us with key stakeholders like the Department for Transport and provided exposure at defence and security events.”

This strategic support opened doors to investment opportunities and facilitated connections with potential customers across government and industry. The programme also enabled exploration of applications beyond aviation security, including military installations and events.

Award-Winning Innovation

NW Pro’s innovations have garnered significant recognition within the defence and security community. In March 2025, the company won the prestigious ADS Security Innovation Award for their product NexuSec, an AI-powered CCTV search system that allows natural language video searches.

NexuSec leverages advanced computer vision and natural language processing to provide intuitive search capabilities for live and recorded CCTV footage. Users can search using natural language queries to find visually similar individuals across multiple cameras, offering significant efficiency gains for security operations.

Commercial Success and Future Growth

Following successful DASA and Dstl supported development, NW Pro is now conducting trials with law enforcement agencies and security teams across the UK. The company’s technology demonstrates the versatility of AI-powered security solutions beyond their original applications.

“We recommend other innovators actively engage with DASA early,” advises Richards. “The importance of understanding end-user needs and maintaining transparent communication throughout development cannot be overstated.”

A Model for Innovation

NW Pro’s journey illustrates how targeted MOD investment through DASA can accelerate British innovation from concept to commercial reality. The company’s success demonstrates the programme’s comprehensive support model, combining funding, technical validation, stakeholder connections, and market credibility.

“DASA funding significantly increased the rate of exploitation of our technology,” reflects Richards. “It led to increased security capabilities whilst positioning us for international expansion.”

Vicki Savage, DASA Innovation Partner for the East of England:

“NW Pro is a great example of a micro SME who successfully received funding through several iterations of the DASA FASS competition, and leveraged not only the funding they received but capitalised on the wider opportunities that DASA can provide - from testing with realistic explosives to enhance their credibility, to expanding their growing network of stakeholders to optimise exploitation.

Innovators from both academia and all sizes of industry should reach out to DASA if they have an idea that could have real world impact to explore opportunities to follow the path that NW Pro have successfully followed”

For businesses considering DASA partnerships, NW Pro’s experience showcases how government investment in innovative companies drives technological advancement whilst strengthening national security capabilities. The success story exemplifies MOD’s commitment to supporting British businesses in developing next-generation security solutions.