**

Kigen, Arm's IoT Security Spin-Off, Secures Millions in Funding from SBI Group: Fueling Global Expansion of Embedded Security Solutions

The burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) security market is witnessing a significant boost with the latest funding round secured by Kigen, the Arm-backed IoT security specialist. Kigen announced today that it has received a substantial investment from SBI Group, a prominent Japanese financial services and investment conglomerate. This injection of capital will propel Kigen's ambitious growth plans, strengthening its position as a leading provider of embedded security solutions for the global IoT ecosystem. The deal underscores the growing importance of robust security in the rapidly expanding IoT landscape and highlights the strategic value of Kigen's innovative approach to securing connected devices.

A Strategic Investment in IoT Security

The investment from SBI Group marks a critical milestone for Kigen, allowing the company to expand its operations, accelerate product development, and broaden its market reach. This strategic partnership combines Kigen's cutting-edge embedded security technology with SBI Group's extensive financial resources and global network. The amount of investment remains undisclosed, but industry sources suggest a significant figure reflecting the high growth potential of the IoT security sector and the confidence in Kigen's technology.

Strengthening the IoT Security Landscape

The IoT sector, while promising immense potential for innovation and efficiency, faces significant security challenges. Billions of connected devices – from smart homes and wearables to industrial sensors and automotive systems – generate vast amounts of data. Protecting this data from cyber threats and ensuring the integrity and authenticity of these devices is paramount. Kigen addresses these challenges by providing secure boot, device identity management, and secure storage solutions deeply embedded within the hardware itself. This approach offers a more resilient and robust security posture compared to software-based solutions, which are often more vulnerable to attacks.

Kigen's Leading Role in Embedded Security

Kigen's technology is based on Arm TrustZone technology, a trusted execution environment (TEE) that provides a secure foundation for protecting sensitive data and critical functions within IoT devices. This technology enables secure device provisioning, authentication, and data encryption, mitigating risks associated with unauthorized access, data breaches, and device manipulation.

Key features of Kigen's security solutions include:

• Secure Boot: Ensures that only authorized software is loaded and executed on the device, preventing malicious code from compromising the system.
• Device Identity Management: Provides a unique and tamper-proof identity for each device, enabling secure authentication and access control.
• Secure Storage: Protects sensitive data, such as cryptographic keys and user credentials, from unauthorized access and theft.
• Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Enables secure and efficient distribution of software updates, allowing for the timely patching of security vulnerabilities.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Kigen's solutions are designed to be easily integrated into a wide range of IoT devices and platforms.

SBI Group's Vision for the IoT Future

SBI Group's investment in Kigen reflects its strategic foresight in recognizing the critical role of security in the future of the IoT. Their participation signifies a significant endorsement of Kigen’s technology and its potential to shape the future of secure connected devices. This investment aligns with SBI Group's broader investment strategy in emerging technologies with high growth potential. The partnership promises to accelerate the adoption of secure IoT solutions across various industries.

Expanding Global Reach and Market Penetration

With SBI Group's backing, Kigen will be better positioned to expand its global footprint and penetrate new markets. This includes increasing its sales and marketing efforts, strengthening its partnerships with key players in the IoT ecosystem, and further investing in research and development. This investment will allow Kigen to capitalize on emerging trends in areas such as:

• Industrial IoT (IIoT): Securing critical infrastructure and industrial control systems.
• Automotive IoT: Protecting vehicle networks and data from cyberattacks.
• Smart Home and Wearables: Ensuring the security and privacy of personal data.
• Smart Cities: Securing connected devices in urban environments.

The Future of IoT Security: A Collaborative Effort

The collaboration between Kigen and SBI Group signals a significant development in the IoT security landscape. It emphasizes the necessity for robust and comprehensive security measures to ensure the safe and reliable deployment of connected devices. This investment highlights the increasing recognition of the importance of secure embedded solutions and their role in fostering trust and confidence in the wider adoption of IoT technologies. The future of the IoT relies heavily on the development and implementation of secure, resilient, and trustworthy solutions – and Kigen, with the support of SBI Group, is well-positioned to lead the charge. The partnership aims to create a more secure and interconnected world, where the benefits of IoT are realized without compromising security. This is a key step towards ensuring a more secure future for the ever-expanding world of connected devices.