ARM buys Offspark to expand its mbed Platform

Offspark is a leading IoT Security Company and will now become a part of ARM.

ARM has made it clear that security in IoT is very important with its acquisition of Offspark which is the IoT’s leading security software company. Offspark is a Dutch company that basically specializes in IoT communications security and its PolarSSL technology is already being used in a number of different devices such as communication modules, sensor modules and even smartphones. This acquisition of Offspark will certainly help developers that use the ARM mbed platform to design and build IoT products as now they will be able to get the best communication security and software cryptography. 

The PolarSSL is the IoT industry’s most important embedded Transport Layer Security (TLS) solution. Now this will form the core of the ARM mbed communication security and software cryptography strategy making ARM’s mbed more desirable in the IoT market. However this technology will remain open for every one and will be made available to developers for commercial use.

Krisztian Flautner who is the general manager of IoT business, ARM stated that the company has always held that security must be the fundamental part of any IoT system and the acquisition of Offspark shows that how serious the company is about its claim.

He further stated that the PolarSSL technology is already being used by many of the leading IoT players and the fact that these companies also use ARM Cortex processor and software technologies means that the company will now be able to provide a complete solution for the industry to innovate from.

The CEO of Offspark, Paul Bakker also commented that ARM is the best in the embedded world without any doubt and now combining with such a company is the perfect way of expanding business.

Paul also stated that security is the most important part in ensuring that people trust the IoT technology. This security can only be provided with a tailored solution. He also said that he looks forward in working with his new partners ARM and look forward to some exciting new projects. 

ARM mbed TLS will be available for standalone use and as part of mbed OS. This will provide leading support for TLS and DTLS optimized for embedded devices and also complements the Cryptobox technology of mbed OS.

The mbed TLS is said not only to target the embedded market and devices but will also continue to expand with new features which will help target it in the non-embedded arena as well. Towards the end of 2015 ARM will be releasing its mbed OS under an Apache 2.0 license which will also include mbed TLS, Thread and many other key technologies for its customers.

It seems that ARM is all geared up for 2015 and expanding its operations and entering into new markets. Well with the acquisition of Offspark these ambitions of ARM will become a lot easier than before.