Accenture Ventures invests in cybersecurity solutions provider SpiderOak

Accenture, through its venture capital arm Accenture Ventures, has invested in SpiderOak, a company specializing in zero-trust cybersecurity and resiliency solutions for military, civil, and commercial space operations.

The specific financial details of the investment were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SpiderOak offers the OrbitSecure product suite, which brings the concept of zero-trust security to zero gravity environments.

OrbitSecure utilizes a combination of no-knowledge encryption and distributed ledger technology to address the unique cybersecurity challenges in space.

The product suite includes a decentralized key management system that ensures continuous operations and availability in space, even in disconnected or highly contested networks. This enhances resiliency for mesh proliferated low-Earth orbit networks, reducing the attack surface and mitigating opportunities for adversaries to disrupt, modify, or interfere with space communications and satellite services.

Accenture Ventures invests in cybersecurity solutions provider SpiderOak. Photo courtesy of Braveman2/Wikimedia Commons.

Accenture’s Technology Vision 2023 report highlights that 99% of survey respondents anticipate advancements in science and technology to impact their organizations’ business processes in the next three to five years.

As the number of satellites in space increases rapidly, both in government and commercial sectors, there is a growing need for a secure, hybrid, multi-party environment designed with strong cybersecurity measures. Enterprises must prioritize cybersecurity as emerging technologies drive scientific advancements and transform business operations, said Accenture.

Tom Patterson — Accenture Quantum and Space Security lead said: “Cybersecurity cannot be an add on, option, or silo in space. To protect and enable our future, we must give cybersecurity the same priority in space as it has now throughout critical infrastructure on the ground.

“Working with SpiderOak, we can help our clients put zero trust security into zero gravity and take strategic advantage of these developments to transform their businesses in coming years, and ultimately the futures of their industries.”

SpiderOak is the latest addition to Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, an engagement and investment program focused on emerging technology companies that can address strategic innovation needs for the Global 2000 companies.

Dave Pearah — SpiderOak CEO said: “As organizations look for solutions to innovate at speed with the rate of growth in space, SpiderOak is well positioned to empower commercial and government customers with our revolutionary cybersecurity platform for space communications.

“We believe our participation in Accenture Project Spotlight, combined with Accenture’s deep experience with leading companies in the aerospace and defense industry and commitment to space innovation and security, will help drive increased awareness and adoption of our secure end-to-end satellite security offerings.”