Cyberattacks are causing havoc across a number of industries, with hackers exposing vulnerabilities everywhere they go.
One of the worst fears with any of these cyberattacks is that they could disrupt or harm critical infrastructure, manipulating industrial control systems at airports, refineries, distribution centers or power plants.
Seattle-based Tempered Networks wants to help operators of those facilities prevent attacks, possibly saving lives in the process. The Seattle-based company — led by former F5 Networks CEO Jeff Hussey — today is announcing $15 million in venture financing from Ignition Partners, IDG Ventures and others. As a result of the deal, Ignition’s John Connors is joining the board.
“The proliferation of connected devices is increasing enterprises’ exposure to security breaches by orders of magnitude,” said Connors in a statement. “Tempered Networks’ industrial hardened solution and world-class team will be mission critical to companies needing to secure their connected assets, across edge, corporate, and industrial networks.”
Tempered Networks is already growing fast, with its staff doubling in size in the past six months. The 29-person company is now looking to nearly double again this year.
Tempered Networks is selling its technology in industrial sectors such as oil & gas, utilities and manufacturing, with Hussey telling GeekWire last fall that he hoped to build a very large networking company.
“My goal is to make it F6,” said Hussey. “To have a very, very fast -growing network technology company.”
The company was originally started by David Mattes, a former Boeing research engineer. He’s still involved in the company as CTO.
Here’s an overview of Tempered Networks’ technology:
