US-based technology firm Imation has acquired the assets of Internet security and privacy company IronKey’s secure data storage hardware business.
Imation and IronKey have also entered a strategic partnership where Imation receives a license from IronKey for its secure storage management software and service, and a license to use the IronKey brand for secure storage products.
IronKey will partner with Imation to provide Ironkey’s online cloud-based security services, said Imation.
The US-based technology firm said it has formed a Global Mobile Security unit headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., integrating with Imation’s international locations serving customers in more than 100 countries.
Imation’s strategic focus on data security offerings addresses the growing market need for businesses, governments and end users to protect their increasing amounts of data against loss, theft or security breaches, said the company.
Imation president and chief executive officer Mark Lucas said the acquisition is another important step in Imation’s strategy to grow in the secure and scalable storage markets, augmenting Imitation’s global leadership position in high-security data storage and device management.
"As Imation continues its strategic transformation, we are making key technology investments in growth markets that will enable us to extend our position in data storage, security, archiving, and protection. With our global reach and strong channel relationships, data storage experience spanning nearly 60 years, and focus on addressing the unique storage needs of small and medium business, enterprise, and government customers, we have a solid leadership foundation. Now, we are executing on targeted technology acquisitions and strategic partnerships to accelerate our transformation," said Lucas.
Imation Global Mobile Security general manager Lawrence Reusing said with the key acquisitions in secure storage, Imation not only adds important technology, intellectual property, and skill sets, it also welcomes thousands of new enterprise and government customers to Ironkey’s already significant customer across the world.
"The addition of the IronKey secure USB storage product offerings, which support cloud-based management, enables us to continue to expand in the fast-growing high-security USB device market. Imation has a significant technology leadership position that will deliver the industry’s most complete solution set for organizations that need to secure their mobile data and mobile workspaces," said Reusing.
