Utimaco

Utimaco Safeware AG (Utimaco) is a global provider of cybersecurity and compliance solutions, with headquarters in Aachen, Germany, and Campbell, California, USA.

History
Utimaco was established in 1983 to provide hardware-based security appliances and compliance services.

Acquisition and Divestment
In 2009, Sophos acquired Utimaco Safeware AG, a German IT security company specializing in encryption and data protection solutions. In 2013, Sophos sold the majority of Utimaco to private equity firms BIP Investment Partners and PINOVA Capital as part of a management buyout transaction.

Controversy
In 2011, Utimaco faced allegations of supplying Lawful Interception Management Systems (LIMS) to repressive regimes such as Iran and Syria, raising ethical concerns when their products were used by Iranian authorities to detain and torture a university student. Following the controversy, Sophos ended its relationship with Utimaco.

Separate Paths
After the divestment, Utimaco and Sophos continued to operate as separate entities. Utimaco focused on cybersecurity solutions, including Hardware Security Modules (HSM) and key management, while Sophos remained a player in the broader cybersecurity market.

Since separating from Sophos, Utimaco has undergone several ownership changes. In 2017, it was acquired by EQT Partners, and in 2022, SGT Capital became the majority stakeholder.

External link

 * Official website
 * https://www.networkworld.com/article/802300/lan-wan-sophos-concludes-314-million-utimaco-buy.html