(15-August, 2012) Roger Dube turns away cyber attacks

Pittsford resident Roger Dube has helped make digital data practically hack-proof by creating a run around on how most cyber attacks occur.

He helped create a Location Specific Digital Fingerprint, a technology that creates a digital imprint to protect sensitive information or to ensure that a bank customer is the only person logging in their online account.

The product does not rely upon algorithms that can ultimately be broken by a web hacker, responded Dube. In addition, the technology uses radio frequencies combined with biometrics and other systems to identify a user — all making a hacker’s job much harder.

Dube has received numerous patents, including a few for the cyber technology and Digital Authentication Technologies, a company he co-founded and currently serves as chief scientologist.

We connected with Dube, 62, who also teaches at Rochester Institute of Technology, to learn more about his fingerprint technology and the issues in running a startup.

Like all startups: We spent our first year developing some traction. This involved lots of travel and prospecting.

The biggest challenge that we have faced: Has been to demonstrate to potential customers that software-only authentication solutions can ultimately be broken, since they rely on an algorithm.

Our success has been: The eventual return to us of customers who initially chose to go with the weaker software-based authentication schemes. Sadly, some of these customers only returned to us after being hacked. We have gotten a lot of interest and support from various areas of government who early on recognized the value of our technology.

The most stressful aspect of the effort: Occurs when a potential customer does not understand the core technology, but rather makes incorrect assumptions about it. It then becomes an effort to help them understand that we are not like other authentication systems. That often involves answering questions about competing technologies, and that process can lead to disagreements that are stressful to overcome.

My position at DAT: Is a 24/7 responsibility — science issues arise at all sorts of times, since our customers are located worldwide.

I hope that we have: Implemented the technology in leading banks and governmental systems in the next five years and that it has become the premier authentication system available.

Rochester needs: More entrepreneurial incubators to help grow young companies through the delicate and critical early years. This means involving mentors, venture capitalists, support businesses and the local colleges and universities as we try to foster this climate of creativity.