Creating trust in digital innovation

Utimaco is a leading manufacturer of hardware security modules (HSMs) for payments and general use cases and a range of on-premises and cloud IT security solutions. Established in 1964 as a data center for enterprises, the company expanded into IT security and encryption in 1983 under the leadership of Horst Goertz, and launched its first-generation HSM in 1991.

Stefan Auerbach, chief executive officer at Utimaco, stated the company's mission is to create trust in the digital society. "We are driven to take a leading market position by providing uncompromised cybersecurity solutions that fulfill the highest standards," he said. "With responsibility for global customers and citizens, we create innovative solutions to protect data, identities and communication networks."

Utimaco has grown organically and through strategic acquisitions in the United States and United Kingdom. The company's global team has more than 350 members led by Auerbach, chief strategy officer Malte Pollmann and chief financial officer Martin Stamm. 

Unique skill sets

Describing Utimaco as "the best of many worlds," Auerbach said the company combines the expertise and scale to drive enterprise-level innovation with the flexibility and agility to meet customer requirements. Its German-made IT security solutions meet the highest European data privacy standards, and U.S. and APAC subsidiaries comply with local regulations, he stated. "Our success is confirmation that customers value our brand of technology expertise, innovation and customer-orientation and our commitment to being their Trusted Advisor in cyber security," Auerbach said, adding that the company's Information Security and Telecom Solutions business units reflect these capabilities.

Utimaco's Information Security business unit provides encryption-based, high-security solutions, including HSMs, key management and enterprise data protection. The Telecom Solutions business unit develops and markets compliance solutions for telecommunication providers.

Global enterprise outlook

Strategic acquisitions have played a key role in the growth and expansion of Utimaco's technology. Recent acquisitions include the Atalla payment HSM portfolio in 2018, followed by Geobridge, a payments system integrator for encryption methods and key management providers, and MYHSM, a provider of Payment HSM as a Service, in 2020. "Utimaco has been among the first IT security providers to integrate post-quantum cryptography and the first to bring a quantum-safe product to market," Auerbach said. "Most recently, we introduced our next-generation HSM platform, u.trust Anchor, which reduces complexity in HSM installations, solves the challenges of cloudifying HSMs and gives customers like Cloud Service Providers and Enterprises scalability and elasticity to add both payment and general purpose HSM applications/services that usually require different hardware."

Auerbach shared that the company leads a thriving market with continuous growth potential fueled by the IoT, dynamic IT environments and constant evolution in cryptography and network technology (5G), all of which give rise to increasing threats and attacks. Utimaco expects to continue growing by innovating its solution portfolio to help customers and partners keep their businesses and customers secure and compliant.

Direct, indirect sales channels

Utimaco’s approach combines direct and indirect sales with a partner program that offers a range of options for technology partners and VARs, Auerbach stated, adding that the company serves as a trusted advisor that aims to complement and support its partners in delivering best-in-class security solutions to create trust in our digital society. "IT security solution providers like Utimaco can help you develop and support business ideas in a sustainable and forward-thinking way," Auerbach said. "Fostering trust is vital for fintechs and financial services providers. Ensuring their IT infrastructures are secured in the best possible way plays a key role in maintaining that trust."

Auerbach believes fintechs are leading the way with cloud-based services. He encouraged traditional banks to explore cloud usage to increase flexibility and agility and meet customers' demands. Security-solutions-as-a-service will ensure that fintechs and banks meet regulatory requirements and the highest security levels, he stated.

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