Denso Acquires Significant Stake in Cybersecurity Firm

Denso has acquired a significant stake in a start-up cybersecurity firm named Dellfer. The US based company is an IoT and automotive cybersecurity company that has its headquarters in San Francisco, California and specializes in cybersecurity solutions against “zero day” attacks within connected networks like deployed IoT devices, and possibly connected vehicles in the future.

Dellfer said that the funds acquired through sale of its stake to Denso will be used to expand its development team and to ramp up discussions with future customers, including Denso.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tony Cannestra, director of corporate ventures at Denso said that with vehicles becoming smarter, autonomous and more connected, advanced safeguards will be needed to secure and protect the technology within those vehicles. This will be a major area of focus for Denso, and the auto industry as a whole. He said that Denso will continue to strongly support technologies like Dellfer’s to ensure that its customers benefit from a safe and secure mobility future.

James Blaisdell, CEO, Dellfer said: “This investment accelerates our mission for IoT device cyberspace protection against zero day attacks. We look forward to a deep and fruitful partnership with Denso to deliver advance safeguards for protecting vehicles.”

Denso will keep looking for technology investment opportunities when it comes to firms having innovative automotive technologies which might potentially have a big impact on the future of transportation. The company’s key four focus areas are: connectivity, autonomous driving, shared mobility and electrification (CASE) technologies.

Denso was established in in Silicon Valley in 2011, and in 2014 it created a dedicated corporate venture capital (CVC) group specifically to explore early stage investment opportunities across the globe. Denso also lends expertise and monetary support to two technology incubators – Prospect Silicon Valley and NextEnergy.