Entrust Datacard strategic investment and acquisition boosts pattern analysis and European footprint

Entrust Datacard has announced a strategic investment in cloud security company CensorNet to further its efforts to provide real-time threat awareness with enhanced pattern analysis for continuous authentication. As part of the deal, Entrust Datacard will acquire CensorNet’s adaptive multi-factor authentication technology solution SMS Passcode.

The Copenhagen-based SMS Passcode will be integrated with Entrust Datacard’s authentication team, and along with the investment in CensorNet’s USS platform, gives the company an opportunity to expand its footprint in the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Benelux, and Nordic regions, according to the announcement.

The CensorNet USS platform provides a cloud access security broker (CASB), mutli-factor authentication, and web and email security. The technology will bolster new Entrust Datacard offerings for authentication, PKI, and SSL, and enhance the security and user experience of its Authentication Insight Engine with more real-time, intelligent decision-making.

“Identity-centric data analysis is in CensorNet’s DNA, and identity assurance capabilities in ours,” said Todd Wilkinson, president and CEO for Entrust Datacard. “This new relationship and investment in CensorNet presents opportunities for collaboration to enhance both companies’ offerings and re-shape the market together.”
Wilkinson will join CensorNet’s board of directors to promote collaboration between the companies.

“CensorNet and Entrust Datacard have a shared vision for real-time identity centric security that can be achieved faster and with greater impact together rather than separately,” said Ed Macnair, CEO for CensorNet. “The acquisition of SMS Passcode will benefit the broader IAM market as well as SMS Passcode customers, and this new relationship will continue serving customers as Entrust Datacard builds upon existing partnerships and enhances our USS offering.”

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The investment and acquisition reflect Entrust Datacard’s holistic approach to security and its global presence ambitions, the company says. It also fits with the company’s strategy of building strong partnerships with targeted investments and acquisitions, rather than following other security companies in making large, complex mergers or acquiring and shelving smaller innovators, it says. Entrust Datacard recently formed a partnership with ISONAS to provide an all-in-one ID solution including credential issuance.

Article Topics

acquisitions  |  biometrics  |  cloud services  |  continuous authentication  |  Entrust  |  Entrust Datacard