Alicorn completes investment into IoT security company Sternum
In today’s hyper-connected world, there are approximately 22 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices, nearly three devices for every person on the planet. This number is poised to grow exponentially, driven by various macro trends such as increasing internet and cloud adoption, coupled with falling costs of connectivity, sensors, and devices. However, there’s a looming concern that often takes a back seat to functionality: security.
Many IoT devices have been designed with functionality as the primary focus, often at the expense of robust security. This leaves IoT devices vulnerable to cyberattacks and cybersecurity risks. From power grids to smart doorbells, every internet-connected device is at risk.
Over the past few decades, cyberattacks targeting IoT devices have evolved to become more sophisticated, more prevalent, and far more effective. The solution to this growing problem requires advanced technologies to thwart these attacks.
IoT devices present unique security challenges that render conventional cybersecurity strategies, whether at the network or endpoint level, inadequate. IoT devices are characterised by their sheer numbers, distributed nature, and utilisation of over 100 different operating software variants, as opposed to the handful typically used in networks. They often suffer from intermittent internet connectivity, limited visibility, and a heightened risk from third-party code and components. These characteristics make scalable integration and protection a formidable challenge.
This is where Sternum enters the scene with its autonomous IoT security solution. Sternum leverages dynamic binary instrumentation to seamlessly integrate with a device’s code base, irrespective of the operating software, all while maintaining market-leading low overhead.
What sets Sternum apart is its ability to provide real-time, autonomous protection against threats to IoT devices, even without an internet connection. This protection extends to both the device’s source code and third-party code, an impressive feat. Moreover, Sternum’s solution can be implemented within a matter of days, requiring no custom tools.
Sternum offers two key products:
- Embedded Integrity Verification (EIV) Technology: This technology verifies that the application hasn’t been maliciously altered, detecting code vulnerabilities to prevent attacks before they can be exploited.
- Analytics and Detection System (ADS): ADS provides real-time threat detection, empowering companies to respond to attacks in real-time.
Sternum’s impact is already evident through its partnership with Medtronic, a prominent U.S. medical device manufacturer. This partnership aims to protect pacemakers, and Sternum has already secured over 100,000 devices. This achievement serves as strong proof of concept with a tier-1 customer, highlighting Sternum’s commitment to revolutionising IoT security.