Strengthening Europe’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem
In an era when digital threats cross borders faster than regulations can keep up, two European technology leaders are taking a stand for homegrown cybersecurity innovation. Exein, the Rome-based embedded cybersecurity specialist, and Kontron, a leading European provider of IoT and embedded computing systems headquartered in Austria and Germany, have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Exein’s runtime protection technology directly into Kontron’s hardware and software solutions.
The collaboration isn’t just another tech partnership—it’s a statement of intent for Europe’s cybersecurity future. By combining Exein’s firmware-level protection with Kontron’s industrial and edge computing platforms, the two companies aim to create a secure foundation for the connected systems powering Europe’s industries—from smart factories and healthcare devices to vehicles and critical infrastructure.
For Europe’s technology landscape, this alliance marks a significant milestone: two globally active companies joining forces to strengthen digital sovereignty and set new standards for security by design, just as the upcoming EU Cyber Resilience Act makes cybersecurity a built-in requirement for product development.
In a written exchange with MoveTheNeedle.news, Exein shared how the partnership came about, what it means for the market, and why embedding protection at the hardware level could become a defining advantage for European innovation.
Protecting the connected world
Exein is focused on securing the embedded devices that power the modern world—from industrial controllers and medical systems to vehicles and infrastructure. As our digital perimeter expands from computers to smartphones and now to the vast array of connected machines, the stakes keep rising.
“Protecting connected devices means protecting people, companies, and countries—and this is exactly what we do,” said Exein.
As connectivity reaches deeper into physical systems, the traditional boundaries of cybersecurity no longer apply. Exein’s mission is to move protection to the firmware level, ensuring that security becomes part of a device’s DNA rather than an afterthought.
Rethinking embedded security
Most existing cybersecurity tools were designed for servers or PCs, not the constrained environments of embedded systems.
“Traditional security tools weren’t built for embedded systems. They are resource-constrained and often remain in the field for years without updates,” Exein explained. “Our platform delivers real-time, autonomous runtime protection directly in the firmware, detecting and stopping threats as they occur.”
This eliminates one of the biggest weaknesses in legacy systems: the reliance on manual monitoring or patching. Instead, Exein’s technology acts as a self-sufficient shield that identifies and blocks threats on the spot.
That approach has helped the company grow rapidly. “We’ve become the largest embedded runtime security provider thanks to our innovative product and the support and validation of our partners and customers,” said the company.
Why Kontron—and why now
The collaboration with Kontron extends this technology to a broader industrial and enterprise customer base.
“We joined forces with Kontron because we recognized the urgent need to raise cybersecurity standards at a time when customers demand stronger protection,” Exein said. “By integrating our runtime protection with Kontron’s embedded solutions, we offer clients holistic, end-to-end defense while helping them comply with upcoming regulations, where cybersecurity is no longer optional.”
The partnership also carries symbolic weight: “That two European companies with global reach are leading this initiative is excellent news for the European cybersecurity landscape.”
In practice, the integration means that Kontron’s hardware—used in industrial automation, transportation, and healthcare—will ship with Exein’s autonomous protection already embedded. For customers, this simplifies compliance and ensures that resilience is built in from day one.
Security by design, in action
The partnership aligns closely with the EU Cyber Resilience Act, which will soon require manufacturers to embed security throughout the lifecycle of connected products.
“Security by design means integrating protection throughout the entire product lifecycle, which is exactly what the EU Cyber Resilience Act will soon require,” the company said. “Through this partnership, Kontron customers will benefit from both resilience and compliance—a combination that truly makes a difference for them.”
Rather than bolting on security after deployment, the Exein–Kontron model ensures devices are secure from the moment they leave the factory and remain protected for years in the field.
Extending protection across critical industries
Both companies have deep roots in sectors where reliability and uptime are essential.
“All the industries in which Kontron is already active—including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, automotive, infrastructure, and aerospace—will benefit,” Exein said. “We already operate in most of these sectors, but with this new collaboration we’ll be able to protect hundreds of millions more devices.”
In manufacturing and energy, Exein’s runtime protection will defend industrial control systems exposed to remote operations and IoT integration. In healthcare, it will safeguard medical devices that must operate continuously without compromising patient safety. And in transportation and aerospace, it will add a crucial layer of assurance against tampering or downtime.
For Exein, the collaboration represents a shift in mindset: cybersecurity is no longer an optional feature but an essential part of product value. “Customers demand stronger protection,” the company emphasized. “Cybersecurity is no longer optional.”
What’s next for Exein
The partnership with Kontron is part of Exein’s broader expansion strategy. The company is now looking beyond Europe to establish a stronger presence in North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
“We’ll continue our global expansion, with a strong focus on the US and APAC markets,” Exein said. “Expect more partnerships, customers, and major announcements in the coming year.”
That momentum reflects a broader industry shift: as cybersecurity becomes a fundamental design parameter rather than an IT function, Exein’s embedded-first model is well positioned to help manufacturers meet both regulatory requirements and market expectations.
A new blueprint for secure innovation
By merging Kontron’s hardware expertise with Exein’s autonomous runtime protection, the two companies are setting a new benchmark for embedded resilience. Devices will not only be smarter and more connected—they’ll also be self-defending.
In a world where every connected system is a potential entry point for attack, that built-in protection could prove transformative.
And with Kontron’s scale, that protection is poised to extend across industries, continents, and the billions of devices quietly keeping the modern world running.