Sophisticated Cambridge software which can detect sounds that signal crime or violence and alert security staff is in line for a major accolade.

Audio Analytic, based at the ideaSpace Enterprise Accelerator, is through to the finals of the ‘Future of Security Competition.’ Its cutting edge software can be used to trigger alerts when it recognises sounds as diverse as breaking glass – signalling a break-in – aggression in hospitals or prisons, and equipment failures in factories or cars.

The company has already attracted significant interest as its software can be integrated into existing security networks. The company raised Series A funding in 2010.

Founder and CEO Chris Mitchell said: “Audio is a real asset to security professionals. By adding our software to existing security systems, you can train the system to trigger alerts before a crime can be committed.

“The system can be configured to detect things like aggression in voices, so security personnel can be sent to defuse situations before they become unmanageable. Similarly the software can be 'trained' to recognise specific sounds, like glass breaking or specific keywords depending on need.”

The company is in the final eight of the competition organised by the International Fire and Security Exhibition. The annual contest is a global hunt for the latest hi-tech security solution and the winner stands to win $10,000 plus mentoring from a major company in the security field.