Pasoo Acquires OT Security Specialist Company... "Full-Scale Entry into OT Security Market"

Fasoo is making a full-scale entry into the OT (Operational Technology) security market.

On the 21st, Fasoo announced that it has acquired and completed a merger with Paros Networks, a company specializing in OT security. Based on Paros, which possesses differentiated capabilities and know-how, Fasoo plans to pioneer the OT security market, which is becoming increasingly important.

OT security aims to safely protect OT systems that manage physical infrastructure such as equipment and facilities in manufacturing, energy, and transportation industries. If OT systems, including ICS (Industrial Control Systems), are attacked, factories or power plants may stop or malfunction, causing enormous economic, human, and environmental damage.

Previously, OT systems operated in a closed manner, but with the spread of digital transformation, they have become connected to IT systems, increasing the risk of exposure to cyberattacks. In fact, as cyberattacks targeting large manufacturing companies and national infrastructure have surged recently, the EU enacted the “Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS2),” which imposes strong punitive fines, and calls for related legislation are growing in Korea as well.

Fasoo is entering the OT security business by acquiring Paros, which has differentiated OT and ICS security consulting capabilities. Paros, acquired by Fasoo, is a specialized OT security solution consulting company with over 15 years of experience and has numerous implementation cases with large domestic corporations, including mega factories. In particular, it possesses differentiated capabilities and references that support the entire process of introducing and applying OT security, from implementation to operation and stabilization, beyond simply supplying OT security solutions.

Fasoo, which has established itself as a solid leader in the data security market for over 20 years, recently entered the enterprise generative AI market by launching the enterprise LLM ‘Ellm’ and has now expanded its business area to OT security. As the possibility of mandatory OT security in Korea gradually increases, related demand is also expected to surge. OT security, along with AI business, is anticipated to become a new growth engine for Fasoo. Fasoo plans to develop various services to capture the blossoming OT market based on Paros’s capabilities and know-how.

Cho Gyu-gon, CEO of Fasoo, said, “With the rapid advancement of operational systems such as IoT, IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), smart factories, and industrial automation, the need for OT security is also growing. However, security application has been delayed due to completely different independent protocols and operating environments compared to IT systems.”

He added, “Paros, now part of Fasoo, has unique OT security capabilities and references covering everything from implementation to operation and stabilization. Based on the synergy between Fasoo and Paros, we will strive to lead the rapidly growing OT security market.”