Mocana Explained

Mocana Corporation
Industry:Internet security, public key infrastructure, IoT security
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Successors:-->
Founded:2002
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Hq Location City:San Jose, California
Hq Location Country:United States
Area Served:Worldwide
Parent:DigiCert

Mocana (founded 2002) is a San Jose-based[1] company that focuses on and embedded system security for industrial control systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). One of its main products, the IoT Security Platform, is a high-performance, ultra-optimized, OS-independent, high-assurance security platform that is intended to support all device classes. This decoupling of the security implementation from the rest of application development allows for easier development of software for devices comprising the "Internet of Things", in which numerous independent networked devices communicate with each other in various ways.[2] [3] [4] Mocana was originally launched as an embedded systems security company, but as of the early 2010s, the company has shifted its focus to protecting mobile devices and the apps and data on them.[5]

History

Mocana introduced its products in 2004 with a focus on embedded systems security.[6] That same year the company launched Embedded Security Suite, a software product to secure communications between networked devices.[7] In February 2005, while based in Menlo Park, California, the company joined the Freescale Semiconductor Developers Alliance Program, and delivered that group's first security software.[8] In 2008, Mocana was cited as an example of how an independent company could provide security for smartphones.[9] [10]

Mocana CEO Adrian Turner published an article in the San Jose Mercury News on the risks associated with non-PC networked devices;[11] and the New York Times reported that Mocana's researchers had "discovered they could hack into a best-selling Internet-ready HDTV model with unsettling ease," and highlighted the opportunity for criminals to intercept information like credit card billing details. Media outlets across the U.S. cited this point in their coverage of the risks associated with advances in technology.[12] [13]

Mocana sponsored the 7th Workshop on RFID Security and Privacy at the University of Massachusetts in 2011.[14] It launched the Mobile Application Protection platform in 2011 with support for Android apps, and added iOS app support in 2012.[15] Following a Series D funding round in 2012, total investment in Mocana was $47 million.

New CEO James Isaacs replaced Turner in September 2013. Interim CEO Peter Graham replaced Isaacs in April 2016.

In April 2016, Mocana spun off its mobile security business to Blue Cedar Networks. William Diotte replaced Graham as CEO in May 2016.

Mocana was originally based in San Francisco[16] but moved to Sunnyvale in December 2017[17] and later to San Jose.

The company was acquired by DigiCert in January 2022.[18]

Products and services

Mocana's IoT Security Platform is a security software suite for embedded systems. The software provides the cryptographic controls (e.g. authentication, confidentiality, encryption, and device and data integrity verification) for embedded devices and applications.

The company also offers customizable user agreements and optional FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic engines. Access to application source code is not required. The product's design is based in the assumption that many assurances of security from the device and its operating system may be compromised. This obviates the necessity of having "infallible" system-wide security policies.

In addition, Mocana offers consulting services, evaluating and advising on security threats in networked devices.[19]

Industries served

Mocana's security technology is used in airplane in-flight entertainment systems, medical devices, battlefield communications, automobile firmware, and cell phone carrier networks. Mocana senior analyst Robert Vamosi was cited in a 2011 piece in Bloomberg Businessweek comparing tech companies' approaches to security.[20]

Funding

Mocana's investors include Trident Capital (2012), Intel Capital (2011), Shasta Ventures, Southern Cross Venture Partners, and Symantec (2010).[21] As of the August 2012 Series D, a total of $47 million has been raised.

Awards, recognition, and accomplishments

Authored by Mocana personnel

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Contact Us . mocana.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170916230947/https://www.mocana.com/contact-us-1 . 2017-09-16.
  2. Jason Notte, Be Afraid! Hackers Can Control Your Car, TV and Home -- The Disruptors, TheStreet.com. September 14, 2011.
  3. http://www.connectedworldmag.com/latestNews.aspx?id=NEWS110406104541123 Data Security for a Connected World
  4. Ashlee Vance, Gadgets Bring New Opportunities for Hackers, New York Times, December 26, 2010
  5. Alex Williams, Mocana Raises $25 Million To Address Mobile App And Smart Device Security Market, TechCrunch. August 22, 2012.
  6. Jack Madden, App "wrapping" with Mocana Mobile App Protection BrianMadden.com. June 8, 2012.
  7. News: Mocana Releases Embedded Security Suite. ebiz. June 14, 2004.
  8. Business. San Mateo County Times, February 23, 2005
  9. Eric Ogren, Getting enterprises ready for smartphone security, Computerworld, October 24, 2008.
  10. Judy Mottl, The G1 & Security: A Paradox in Play?, Internet News, October 22, 2008.
  11. Adrian Turner: Beyond PCs: Billions of Devices Leave Us at Risk, San Jose Mercury News, November 9, 2010.
  12. Editorial: The technology transition. Ocala Star-Banner, December 30, 2010
  13. Ashlee Vance: New Web-enabled devices are fresh bait for hackers - As companies rush products to market, security features often underdeveloped, December 28, 2010, The Bend Bulletin
  14. Researchers Gather at UMass Amherst to Improve Security and Privacy of RFID and Electronic Payments, Targeted News Service, June 24, 2011.
  15. Mike Lennon, Mocana Adds Features To "Self Defending" Mobile App Protection Solution, Security Week, December 4, 2012.
  16. Web site: Company . mocana.com . 5 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170916231907/https://mocana.com/company . 16 September 2017 . dead.
  17. Web site: Home . mocana.co . 15 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180127101508/https://mocana.com . 27 January 2018 . dead.
  18. Web site: DigiCert acquires Mocana to bolster IoT security. Sawers. Paul. VentureBeat. 13 January 2022. 27 January 2022.
  19. Jordan Robertson, Science fiction-style sabotage a fear in new hacks, Associated Press. October 24, 2011.
  20. Ashlee Vance and Michael Riley, Sony: The Company That Kicked the Hornet's Nest Bloomberg Businessweek, May 12, 2011.
  21. https://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2012/08/23/the-daily-start-up-mocana-secures-25m-for-corporate-security-of-personal-mobile-devices/ Mocana Secures $25M for Corporate Security of Personal Mobile Devices
  22. Web site: Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Mocana's IoT Security Platform Product Leadership for Industrial Manufacturing and Automation - TheStreet . 2017-10-17 . 2017-10-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171017201707/https://www.thestreet.com/story/14271666/1/frost-sullivan-recognizes-mocanas-iot-security-platform-product-leadership-for-industrial-manufacturing-and-automation.html . dead .
  23. Web site: Mocana Named Most Innovative Security Company in 2017 Leading Lights Awards.
  24. Web site: The 2013 OnDemand 100 Top Private Companies | AlwaysOn Network . 2013-08-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130518011241/http://aonetwork.com/Announcing-the-2013-OnDemand-100-Top-Private-Companies/ . 2013-05-18 .
  25. Aaron Imholt, Breezy Certified MAP-READY For Mocana Security Focused Customers, Breezy Blog.March 7, 2013.
  26. http://www.sys-con.com/node/549214 Mocana Named Finalist for Red Herring 100 Award: Award Recognizes the 100 "Most Promising" Companies Driving the Future of Technology
  27. News: Robert. Vamosi. When Gadgets Betray Us: The Dark Side of Convenience" (excerpt). The Atlantic. April 5, 2011.
  28. Book: Turner, Adrian. Blue Sky Mining: Building Australia's Next Billion Dollar Industries. 9780615574226. 2012. 270. Adrian Turner .