CREAPLUS, one of the leading providers of comprehensive IT and cybersecurity solutions and services in Slovenia and the region, has signed an agreement with Coro to distribute its eponymous cybersecurity platform in the countries of the Western Balkans.
By offering the Coro platform, CREAPLUS aims to strengthen the cybersecurity of micro, small and medium enterprises, which are the most vulnerable group in cyberspace. The solutions offered by this platform will primarily benefit regional providers of managed cybersecurity services in the micro, small and medium enterprise segment: providers who’s operational and business performance is directly linked to the use of affordable, efficient and highly productive solutions for their security operations centers.
“The state of cybersecurity in the micro, small and medium enterprise segment is concerning. As global trends and reports from local cybersecurity response centers show, cybercriminals are targeting this segment of businesses, where it is easier to make money through various forms of attacks, from fraud and extortion to identity theft and other sensitive data,” said Mitja Trampuž, CEO of CREAPLUS.
Based on the Coro platform, regional security operations center service providers will be able to offer customized managed cybersecurity services to the most price-sensitive and consequently most under-secured segment of businesses. Furthermore, the Coro platform’s ease-of-use and AI-automated processes make it an ideal solution for cybersecurity service providers serving markets with severe staffing shortfalls and the need to ensure maximum productivity due to cost pressures.
According to Trampuž, Coro’s technologies are virtually the only ones designed from the ground up with micro, small and medium-sized businesses in mind.
“This is a specific group of users where cyber protection needs to be high quality and comprehensive, yet simple and affordable for these companies and their cybersecurity partners to even be able to take it on. Coro is the answer to the challenges faced by managed cybersecurity service providers in this market segment who are looking for the most efficient technology solutions for their security operations centers,” added Trampuž.
“We are thrilled to partner with CREAPLUS to bring Coro’s cybersecurity platform to the Western Balkans. This collaboration aligns with our mission to provide affordable, comprehensive, and automated cybersecurity to SMBs and managed service providers in underserved markets. CREAPLUS has a strong regional presence and deep expertise in IT security, making them the perfect partner to expand our reach and help businesses in the region stay protected against evolving cyber threats. We look forward to working together to empower small IT teams and enhance security operations across the region.” Piers Morgan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EMEA at Coro, on the Partnership with CREAPLUS.
With the Coro platform, lean IT teams and cybersecurity service providers can deliver comprehensive and easy-to-use managed cyber protection in one place. Coro’s platform empowers organizations to easily defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, data leakage, network threats, insider threats and email threats across devices, users, networks and cloud applications.
About Coro
Coro, the leading cybersecurity platform for small and midsize businesses, revolutionized cybersecurity with the introduction of the world’s first modular cybersecurity platform in 2023. Coro’s platform empowers organizations to easily defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, data leakage, network threats, insider threats and email threats across devices, users, networks and cloud applications. Coro’s platform automatically detects and remediates the many security threats that today’s distributed businesses face, without IT teams having to worry, investigate, or fix issues themselves. Ranked on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for its second consecutive year, Coro is one of the fastest growing cybersecurity companies in North America today.
London, February 2025 – The Aperio® H100 packs the security and convenience of digital access into an award-wining wireless door handle. Now, to meet demand from the architecture, design and construction sectors, the H100 is also available in black – the ultimate expression of digital control and style.
The H100 is already deployed in design-forward settings across Europe, including H-Farm’s innovation campuses in northern Italy*. The H100’s new black colourway adds appeal for designers who want to equip workspaces and other contemporary interiors with a stylish, powerful digital access solution. Offered alongside the existing H100 satin-chrome model, it adds flexibility and elegance to their interior scheme.
This recent addition to the Aperio range of battery-powered digital access devices already has a strong design pedigree. It was named Winner at the Iconic Awards: Innovative Interior. Sponsored by the German Design Council, these awards showcase the best in interior design, recognizing products which help us to live and work more intelligently.
In recognizing the H100’s Innovation Achievement in ID and Access Control, the Detektor International Awards jury commented: “Smooth and smart — the Aperio H100 access control door handle is a brilliant example of excellent product design.”
With easy retrofitting to almost any interior door, broad RFID and mobile access compatibility, and reliable performance in diverse settings, the H100 makes extending control easy. It integrates seamlessly with a vast and growing range of third-party access and security systems.
The H100’s reliability is already proven at high-traffic interior doors and compatible with most common European (DIN) and Scandinavian mortise locks, in wooden, steel, tubular frame or glass doors with standard lock cases. It comes in left- and right-hand versions for a door 35–80mm thick, with optional U-handle and USB adaptor.
And now, it looks more elegant than ever, too.
To learn more, visit our website: https://www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/solutions/products/digital-access-solutions/aperio/aperio-h100-electronic-lock
The best of both worlds: former CEO Hayden Burr transitions to Chief Innovation
Officer role while welcoming new Chief Executive Officer Andy Bane
Integrated Control Technology (ICT), a leading manufacturer of intelligent access control and security solutions, announced today the appointment of Andy Bane as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Andy succeeds ICT founder and former CEO Hayden Burr, who will transition to the role of Chief Innovation Officer.
By investing in the future, ICT is positioning itself to drive greater value, create new opportunities, and strengthen relationships worldwide. Under Andy’s leadership, ICT will focus on scaling its operations, strengthening its go-to-market strategies, and advancing its technology platform to anticipate and meet evolving customer needs.
Founded in 2003, ICT continues to be driven by a firm commitment to helping partners and customers secure their success. This leadership transition embodies a strategic investment in ICT’s future growth. ICT’s appointment of Andy Bane as CEO and Hayden Burr as Chief Innovation Officer will leverage both their unique skills sets, providing the best of both worlds to benefit ICT, its partners, and customers.
New CEO Andy Bane Brings Decades of Operational Excellence
Andy Bane brings more than three decades of leadership, innovation, and growth experience across venture-backed startups, private equity (PE)-backed scale-ups, and publicly traded enterprises. Most recently, he served as CEO of Element, a SaaS industrial software company specializing in data solutions for operational excellence. His track record includes roles at ABB Enterprise Software, Ventyx, and Global Energy Decisions, where he successfully led teams in developing and scaling solutions that combine hardware and software for integrated customer value.
“I’m honoured to welcome Andy to ICT,” said founder Hayden Burr. “We’re excited about the new energy and perspective he will bring to ICT, and how his decades of operational excellence will help us continue to scale our operations, strengthen our go-to-market strategies, and advance our technology platform to meet our customers ever-evolving needs.”
“I am thrilled to join ICT at such a pivotal moment of their journey,” said new CEO Andy Bane. “Hayden and the ICT team should be proud of what they have built the past 20 years. I’m inheriting an impressive foundation with a differentiated product portfolio, a global customer base, and a dedicated team. I look forward to working alongside this talented group to expand our reach, continue to find ways to best serve our customers and to build on the company’s legacy of innovation and customer success.”
Hayden Burr Assumes Role of Chief Innovation Officer
As Chief Innovation Officer, Hayden Burr will continue to bring expert security market intelligence, unparallelled ICT product expertise, and a comprehensive understanding of ICT’s history and the principles that have shaped the company’s success thus far.
When asked about his transition into his new role as Chief Innovation Officer, Hayden shared: “After more than 20 years leading ICT, I’m excited to pivot to a role that will enable me to think deeply about future needs, and where things are headed…to think not only about product innovations, but also all the ways we can evolve as a company to better meet the needs of our partners and customers.”
Securing Your Success Starts with Listening
The foundation of any strong partnership is two-way communications. In that spirit of partnership, ICT wants to hear from current and future ICT customers, ICT dealers and integrators, and technology partners. What needs and opportunities do you see? Please share your ideas, questions, or feedback by visiting ict.co/best-of-both-worlds.
For more information or to inquire about interview availability, please contact Aude Desbrières, Operational Director EMEA at ICT, at adesbrieres@ict.co or +44 7939 336991.
A new survey from Omdia reveals that phishing scams are the leading security threat for smartphone users, with 24% of respondents reporting they have fallen victim to these attacks. Phishing, which includes fraudulent texts, emails, or calls designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive personal information, remains a significant concern as cybercriminals continue to exploit unsuspecting consumers.
Omdia surveyed 1,572 consumers across the Americas, Asia & Oceania, and Europe in October 2024 for the fourth annual Omdia Mobile Device Security Scorecard. The survey found that the next most common security issue was malware and viruses, followed by physical theft, such as pickpocketing, mugging, or snatching.
In Omdia’s recent assessment of leading premium smartphones, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 outperformed Apple’s Iphone 16 Pro and other Android-based devices, including the Oneplus 12, Xiaomi 14, and Honor Magic 6 Pro. Anti-phishing protection proved to be a weak spot across all devices, as none successfully intercepted all phishing texts, calls and emails.
Simulated spam calls revealed that all Android devices from Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Honor, and Samsung successfully flagged suspected spam calls before users answered, while the Iphone 16 Pro lacked similar voice call protection.
No device flagged simulated phishing emails from Gmail as phishing, only identifying them as spam when sent from Google’s SMTP.
Considerable variation in performance
Despite gaps in detecting phishing texts and emails, devices with Google Safe Browsing protections successfully blocked the link from opening, displaying a warning screen and requiring user confirmation to proceed. Performance across browsers varied significantly: Samsung Internet effectively blocked most links, including advanced custom URLs, while Xiaomi Mii and Oneplus Internet browsers failed to warn users about known malicious links, underscoring inconsistencies in Android device’s security.
“The lack of security protection, particularly against the growing threat of phishing attacks, is eroding consumer trust,” said Omdia Senior Analyst, Aaron West. “When consumers were asked if their trust following a security issue increased (due to how well the issue was handled) or decreased, 73% reported they had reduced trust in the smartphone brand and operating system developer.”
Consumers should be vigilant but better protection needed
“Despite the latest protections in place by some manufacturers, it is difficult to protect 100% against phishing attempts, highlighting the severity of the issue and potential impact to consumers. That said, smartphone manufacturers can (demonstrated by the more advanced phishing protection capabilities available) and should have a better baseline of phishing protection – such as voice call protection, and all Android devices making use of Google’s Safe Browsing protections,” said Hollie Hennessy, Principal Analyst, Omdia. “This needs to be paired with awareness activity from manufacturers and the wider industry to help consumers be vigilant and prepared”.
XPP, a leading provider of integrated payment solutions in seamless payments for public transportation, and Oxivo Group, a multinational Dutch/Turkish conglomerate specialised in unattended electronic payments in retail for vending machines, parking, EV charging, and in end-to-end integrations in the world of IoT-based machines – have entered into what is being called a groundbreaking partnership agreement.
Together, they will introduce a new, revolutionary seamless payment service to the Turkish market that will fundamentally change the way payments in public transport are handled and experienced. This payment platform is an innovation that is relevant for many European public transport providers.
The first project that XPP and Oxivo are taking on in their new collaboration is to combine XPP’s payment services, based on the Vayapay and Ginger platforms, with Oxivo’s deep market expertise and established presence in Turkey.
“This partnership is a major step forward in our development,” said Tom van der Poel, CEO of XPP. Together, we are strongly positioned to take transactions in Turkey’s public transport to the next level and will develop an infrastructure that several public transport companies in Europe will be able to benefit from.”
“With this collaboration, we combine the best of the Dutch and Turkish fintech ecosystems to provide transport companies with a unique infrastructure for payment systems,” said Sezer Arslan, Founding Partner and CEO of Oxivo Group. “This technology can be used anywhere in Asia and in Europe.”
The partnership is based on both companies’ shared vision to renew the built-in payment process. Oxivo Group has extensive experience in unattended card payments, while XPP contributes to the partnership with its Smart Payment Platform for omni-channels. Together, they can offer an innovative solution for public transport that breaks with the existing payment methods in the sector. This partnership contributes to Oxivo’s strategy to expand its dominant position from unattended payments in retail to tap-to-pay in public transport.
ASSA ABLOY has acquired Invue, a US-based provider of precision-engineered connected asset protection and access control solutions. The company enables tailormade security solutions to a broad spectrum of industries and retailers.
“This acquisition delivers on our strategy to grow our business through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY.
“Invue is a global technology provider at the forefront of innovative security solutions for protecting assets in the retail business. Invue is an excellent addition to Global Solutions, the acquisition will expand our core capabilities across access control and asset protection globally. I look forward to working with InVue’s successful and experienced team” says Stephanie Ordan, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Technologies business unit Global Solutions.
Invue was founded in 1986 and has some 260 employees. The main office is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, US.
Sales for 2024 amounted to about MUSD 165 with a strong EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start.
Armadrone, a cutting-edge developer of strike drones and MDSI, a leading innovator in modular payload technologies, have entered into a strategic partnership. The collaboration unites Armadrone’s innovative drone engineering and MDSI’s novel payload carrier systems to deliver next-generation affordable solutions for allied defenced forces.
At the core of this partnership is the development and integration of MDSI’s payload carrier, Mailman, into Armadrone’s combat drone platforms. Mailman is a precision guided payload carrier that can be paired with Armadrone’s UAV platforms, such as Punisher and Rex, to provide tactical payload delivery at up to 60 kilometers in tough EW environment conditions.
Strengthening allied defence capabilities
This partnership comes at a critical time as global defence forces seek advanced tools to counter emerging threats. By combining their strengths, Armadrone and MDSI aim to provide allied nations with scalable and reliable solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and minimize risk to personnel.
“Armadrone’s mission has always been to create innovative and practical solutions for the modern battlefield,” said Max Subotin, CBDO of Armadrone. “By teaming up with MDSI and maintaining close daily communication with troops on the front lines, we are taking a step forward in redefining what is possible with smaller armed drones. Our daily processes have a deeply personal dimension, as we remain close to our friends who are currently in combat.”
“Integrating Mailman with Armadrone’s UAS platforms, is the initial result of long-term relationship with Ukrainian partners,” said Christian Steinø, CEO of MDSI. “Mailman is designed to deliver affordable effect with adaptability, complementing the engineering capabilities of Armadrone. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for mission readiness, versatility and scalability.”
London, January 2025 – Managing access digitally is often considered more secure, more flexible and more convenient than traditional methods. However, as with any investment decision, businesses must weigh up both costs and benefits before upgrading. The costs attached to the access solution they choose can be affected by many different factors – including building size, shape, type, location, national regulations and so on.
Fortunately, within this potential range of differences, the choice between a wired or wireless solution has a mostly uniform impact. Going wireless reduces the total cost of solution ownership during installation, operation, and when it comes to expanding or reconfiguring access, should a business’ needs change.
Wiring buildings is often expensive. Therefore, the potential cost savings from choosing wireless digital access begin at the very start of the process. In calculations for one report, digital access experts at ASSA ABLOY projected costs for a fictional 100-door installation. Labour savings for those who chose wireless over wired locks were over 80%*.
Wireless installation is faster and less intrusive. Most wireless locking devices require little or no drilling of the door, whereas wired security needs cabling through and partly around a door – which means not just door damage, but specialist electrical contractors and perhaps multiple site visits. These costs add up.
In Poland, for example, developer Torus targets the highest level of LEED certification for all their new properties around Gdansk. Where possible, they choose products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Green Circle documentation, favouring solutions which reduce their carbon footprint. Wireless digital access technology is a natural choice.
“The lack of wiring significantly reduces materials use, reduces costs, and ensures quick installation,” confirms Torus’ Roman Sokolowski. There’s no cabling, which cuts power consumption. There’s less damage to the building fabric and fitters make fewer journeys to and from the site.
Energy efficiency improves cost efficiency
Choosing wireless over wired locking can play an important role in reducing energy costs. Businesses have little control over unit energy prices, so it is critical that they control usage. The fact that battery-powered locks consume much less energy than traditional wired solutions remains relevant and important.
Traditional wired door access devices often work via magnets connected permanently to mains electricity. These doors draw power to remain locked. Wireless locks work differently. They only “wake up” when presented with a credential, to make an access decision. This translates to an additional saving on energy costs during operation: more than 70%, or thousands of euros over a typical access system’s lifetime.
Related energy and materials costs during in-use stage are also lower. Wireless locks only need a change of their standard battery – which may be rechargeable – typically once every two years. No complex maintenance is required, saving on specialists as well as their travel to and from site(s).
By choosing wireless digital access, businesses help protect themselves against the rising costs and price volatility of energy. And if they choose to extend an existing system wirelessly with ASSA ABLOY’s Aperio® device range, for example, they do not add administrative complexity. Security managers still control their entire site from a single interface.
Implementing flexible working to reduce costs
The financial benefits of a wireless digital solution are also felt in the increased convenience and efficiency of daily operations. In the co-working sector, for example, flexible access to offices is a priority. As “fixed” office space rented by corporations continues to fall, co-working spaces keep growing, with one estimate suggesting almost 18% CAGR to 2030.**
To stand out from the competition, the founders of ULab in Alicante sought the latest innovations in access and design to create their 21st-century business centre. Also part of the suite of digital access solutions from ASSA ABLOY, a SMARTair® system gave ULab real-time access control via battery powered locks and Openowä, the Mobile Key solution for SMARTair, without any need to wire doors or other openings.
With SMARTair and Openow, workspace residents can carry virtual keys on their own smartphone. ULab’s security team update everyone’s access rights from the SMARTair TS1000 Web interface; the mobile app collects usage data from the doors. In case of an emergency, office managers can even lock-down the site or open doors remotely. It makes operations convenient and efficient – and boosts ULab’s security, benefiting users and managers.
Because of SMARTair’s flexibility, they can comfortably welcome many more than their usual 100 daily users. “In addition to regular daily traffic, weekly traffic can almost multiply by 10 if an event is held,” says Enrique Burgos Pérez, Director at ULab. “We needed an access control system as flexible and convenient as SMARTair.”
Office moves and redesigns made easier with wireless digital access
Choosing wireless locks adds further flexibility – and can reduce costs – when an organization reconfigures or expands their commercial space. High-quality wireless devices like SMARTair or Aperio can typically be reinstalled at another opening without impacting their reliability. They move to wherever is convenient.
So, if a business is rethinking workspace to encourage flexible or hybrid working, for example, cost efficiencies could be significant. Typical savings on office relocation or expansion are estimated at around 30% with wireless over wired locking, according to the ASSA ABLOY benchmarking report.
The financial benefits of reducing total cost of ownership, alongside improved security and control, greater user convenience and product reliability, bolsters an already compelling case for the digitalization of access without wires — whether for new-builds or on retrofit projects.
To learn how you can digitalize with confidence and reduce total cost of ownership for your access solution, visit www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/campaigns/digitalwithconfidence
Founded in 1986, ELAN stands out in the Italian and foreign markets for the high quality of its Made in Italy products and the guaranteed constant availability of products in stock for prompt delivery. It boasts a portfolio of over 400 products and an excellent multilingual technical and commercial assistance service.
ELAN manufactures cables for security applications such as burglar alarm system, fire detection and voice alarm system, structured wiring, CCTV and building automation. The company also entered into the batteries market offering dry rechargeable lead and lithium batteries distributed under the renowned brand BIGBAT, in order to complete its offering to its wide customer base.
Nowadays, ELAN is proudly recognized as a professional and reliable cable and batteries manufacturer able to supply any connectivity and powering solutions to the expanding security market.
Success in the domestic market is also supporting the fast-growing export business. Thanks to the multilanguage international sales office, to a dedicated logistics department and with an extensive knowledge of international security standards, ELAN is continuously empowering its export activities, providing great connectivity solutions in more than 50 countries.
The international sales department not only collects requests from all over the world but also meet ELAN’s customers attending the most popular security exhibitions, such as Dubai Intersec and Adria Security Summit, which represent a significant opportunity to showcase ELAN’s products and to create new connections and business opportunities with international markets.
Technical skills, design capabilities, consolidated experience in cables and batteries and ISO9001:2015 certification, guarantee ELAN’s customers the quality and the reliability of ELAN and BIGBAT branded products, supporting the everyday job of the electrical installers and system integrators.
