Hala Systems

Hala Systems is a social enterprise that develops humanitarian technology to protect civilians in conflict zones and during humanitarian crises. The company's flagship product, Sentry, is an early warning system that uses machine learning, mobile applications, natural language processing, sensors, and remotely controlled warning devices to alert civilians of impending threats such as air strikes. Deployed in Syria since 2016, Sentry provides an average of seven to ten minutes of warning time to civilians, allowing them to seek safety. In 2018, Hala Systems reported that its technology resulted in an estimated 20-27% reduction in casualty rates.

The Sentry system operates by collecting data from various sources, including a network of ground observers using mobile apps to report air strike and aircraft data, sensors, and open media data. This information is then processed and displayed on Hala Systems' insight portal, a data visualization tool. When a threat is detected, Sentry activates a network of air raid sirens, buzzers, and lights in public spaces to warn civilians in real-time. The system also notifies first responders, humanitarian workers, and hospital staff in advance of attacks, enabling them to coordinate their response efforts.

To ensure the authenticity of digital media informing the alert system, Hala Systems incorporates blockchain technology. Initially using Ethereum, the company later switched to Hedera Hashgraph's distributed ledger, known as the Hedera Consensus Service, to validate photographs, videos, and audio files. This integration allows Hala Systems to provide reliable data provenance, enabling the public to view digital media with confidence in its authenticity. The Sentry application records over 30 pieces of information for each content creation event on the Hedera network, creating a verifiable and tamper-proof audit log.