What Fend does

Fend Incorporated is a Virginia-based cybersecurity hardware company that designs and manufactures data diode products for protecting operational technology (OT) and industrial control system (ICS) networks in critical infrastructure environments. Founded in 2017-2018 by CEO Colin Dunn and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Fend sells unidirectional gateway devices that physically enforce one-way data flow between protected OT networks and external systems using optical isolation between two circuits. The company serves operators across energy and utilities, oil and gas, water and wastewater, manufacturing, transportation, and U.S. government/defense, with named clients including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NAVFAC, AFCEC, Leidos, Luminant, NRECA, a Fortune 100 manufacturer, a national oil and gas pipeline operator, a large water utility serving approximately 2 million customers, and an international marine integration company. Fend reports it now secures 20 million+ utility customers across 24 countries and 13 critical infrastructure sectors.

Fend's core technology is a patented data diode architecture using optically-isolated light transmission, marketed as physically unhackable because the hardware provides no path for reverse-direction traffic and requires no software patches. The product portfolio is organized into three series: the XE Series Ethernet-only line (XE50 at 50 Mbps, XE15 at 15 Mbps, XE5 at 5 Mbps), the SE Series Serial/Ethernet variants (SE15, SE5), and the CE Series Cellular-enabled line (CE15, CE5) for AT&T and Verizon LTE networks. Fend Cloud is a subscription data-ingestion service, built on AWS and supporting AWS GovCloud, that provides remote diode monitoring and API integration to third-party analytics platforms with onboard protocol support for Modbus (RTU/TCP), BACnet (MSTP/IP), FTP/FTPS/SFTP, UDP, TCP/IP, and LON-IP. The company holds multiple granted patents — including the core new diode design (October 2021), first European patents (December 2021), a first Canadian patent (February 2021), and a U.S. patent on a "Data Diode on a Chip" (August 2023) targeting IoT and autonomous vehicle security — and sells complementary integration services (security assessments, network design, Wonderware/AVEVA integration, INSM, monitoring) plus enterprise solutions for 50 to 50,000+ site deployments.

Fend's revenue model combines one-time hardware sales (quote-based, multi-tier unit pricing across XE, SE, and CE diodes plus accessories), recurring Fend Cloud subscription revenue (usage-based pricing tied to data volume), and project-based integration services, with leasing and volume pricing available at the enterprise tier. Go-to-market is hybrid: direct enterprise field sales to critical infrastructure operators supplemented by an extensive channel ecosystem — Carahsoft (Master Government Aggregator on SEWP V, ITES-SW2, NCPA, OMNIA), Arrow Electronics/immixGroup (GSA MAS IT GS-35F-0511T), 1898 & Co. (Burns & McDonnell), Loop1, SIXGEN, Federal Resources Corporation, and technology partners including AWS, Claroty, SolarWinds, Enero Solutions, Datakwip, and SUEZ. Over its operating history, Fend accumulated more than $9.85M in non-dilutive U.S. government awards (DOE SBIR Phase I/II, ESTCP/DoD, NRECA-led DOE), closed venture funding from Lavrock Ventures, Gula Tech Adventures, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation in July 2022, and was acquired by OPSWAT Inc. in December 2024, continuing as a product line within OPSWAT's broader critical-infrastructure cybersecurity portfolio.

Name

Fend

Legal name

Fend Incorporated

Website

https://www.fend.tech

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Fend designs data diode hardware that enforces one-way data flow via optical isolation to secure operational technology networks, serving energy, oil and gas, water, manufacturing, transportation, and government/defense operators. Since its December 2024 acquisition by OPSWAT, Fend operates as a product line within OPSWAT.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

OT Cybersecurity Hardware (Data Diodes for Industrial Network Segmentation)

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Secure Industrial Gateways, Data Diodes & Unidirectional Security (HDADAJAM)

Keywords

• OT cybersecurity hardware
• Data diode technology
• Industrial network segmentation
• Critical infrastructure security
• Unidirectional gateway

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Data Diode Hardware Sales: One-time sale of data diode hardware products including XE50, XE15, XE5, SE15, SE5, CE15, CE5 models. Each diode comes with DIN-rail mount, two 120VAC to 12VDC power supplies, and Ethernet cable. Optional accessories include screw-in power leads and wall mount feet.
2. Fend Cloud Subscription: Subscription-based cloud data service with pricing based on data volume. Includes secure data upload from data diodes, remote diode monitoring via web-based app, and API integration capabilities. A member of sales team determines pricing based on customer use requirements.
3. Integration Services: Full-service professional services including security assessments, asset inventory, network diagram development, protocol and system integration for legacy networks (OPC UA/DA, Wonderware), deployment design, data visualization and analytics, installation and commissioning, and continuous monitoring/INSM services.
4. Enterprise Solutions: Additional enterprise-tier services including leasing options with warranty support, volume pricing, and enhanced support tiers for large-scale deployments across 50+ sites or facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fend designs and manufactures hardware data diodes that use optical isolation to physically enforce one-way data flow between networks, allowing secure data extraction from air-gapped OT/ICS environments without exposing them to inbound cyberattacks. Its product family includes the XE50, XE15, XE5, SE15, SE5, CE15, and CE5 diode models, complemented by Fend Cloud (an AWS-based subscription data ingestion and monitoring service), integration services, and enterprise-scale deployment solutions for critical infrastructure operators.

Product overview

Fend offers a portfolio of one-way communication data diodes — hardware cybersecurity devices that physically enforce unidirectional data flow using optical isolation. The product lineup includes three series differentiated by throughput capacity: the XE Series (Ethernet-only: XE50 at 50 Mbps, XE15 at 15 Mbps, XE5 at 5 Mbps), the SE Series (Serial/Ethernet combo: SE15, SE5), and the CE Series (Cellular-enabled: CE15, CE5). Fend Cloud is a cloud-based data management service that integrates with the diodes for remote monitoring and third-party platform data sharing. Accessories include DIN rail mounts, screw-in power leads, and wall mount feet. Integration Services and Enterprise Solutions provide deployment and scaling support. All products are designed and manufactured in the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fend XE50 Data Diode High-throughput one-way communication diode with 50 Mbps maximum throughput, Serial/Ethernet input and Ethernet output, designed as a unidirectional gateway for serial and networked industrial controls in demanding ICS/OT environments.
• Fend XE15 Data Diode Standard industrial one-way communication diode with 15 Mbps throughput, Ethernet input and Ethernet output for interfacing with networked industrial controls.
• Fend XE5 Data Diode Entry-level one-way communication diode with 5 Mbps throughput, Ethernet input and Ethernet output for interfacing with networked industrial controls in less demanding applications.
• Fend SE15 Data Diode One-way communication diode with 15 Mbps throughput, Serial/Ethernet input and Serial/Ethernet output, adding a serial outbound option for interfacing with serial and networked industrial controls.
• Fend SE5 Data Diode Entry-level one-way communication diode with 5 Mbps throughput, Serial/Ethernet input and Serial/Ethernet output for interfacing with serial and networked industrial controls.
• Fend CE15 Data Diode Cellular LTE one-way communication diode with 15 Mbps throughput, Serial/Ethernet input and Cellular/Ethernet output, enabling secure data transmission from anywhere to the cloud.
• Fend CE5 Data Diode Entry-level cellular LTE one-way communication diode with 5 Mbps throughput, Serial/Ethernet input and Cellular/Ethernet output for cloud connectivity.
• Fend Cloud

Quantifiable outcome

• Replaces manual data transfer methods (disk burning) with automatic real-time data flow every few minutes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and strategic.

• OPSWAT Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Fend acquired by OPSWAT in December 2024. Fend continues to operate as a product line under OPSWAT, expanding the combined product offerings across cross-domain solutions, threat detection, and media scanning. Fend gains global footprint for worldwide deployments and support.
• 1898 & Co.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 7 June 20221898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, partners to bring physical cybersecurity to critical infrastructure customers. Strategic technology partner with deep industry expertise.
• Arrow ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 February 2022Arrow Electronics and Fend partner to help U.S. Government agencies pre-empt cyberattacks with next-generation diode technology.
• Federal Resources Corporation (FRC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 November 2021Partnership announced November 2021 allowing Fend's one-way communication diodes to be made available on NASA SEWP V contract for government customers.
• Carahsoft Technology Corp.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarahsoft is the trusted government IT solutions provider supporting Public Sector across Federal, State, Local Government and Education. As Master Government Aggregator, Carahsoft delivers Fend products through NASA SEWP V, Army ITES-SW2, NCPA, and OMNIA contract vehicles.
• 1898 & Co. (Burns & McDonnell)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor1898 & Co. brings Fend's physical cybersecurity technology together with expertise in management and protection of critical infrastructure. Licensed and equipped to sell, install, maintain and provide support for Fend products globally.
• Loop1coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLoop1 partners with Fend to combine data diode technology with SolarWinds Security Event Manager (SEM) for air-gapped networks. Offers strategic collaboration for ITOM solutions with 110+ employees across 4 continents and 38+ SolarWinds Certified Professional engineers.
• ClarotystrategicTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership combining real-time network visibility and asset monitoring with Fend's physically-enforced data diode protection. Enables on-prem deployment or threat intelligence extraction from air-gapped networks.
• NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NRECA to support electric cooperatives with Fend's cybersecurity technology. Fend products help co-ops meet NRECA's 10 Cyber Goals including IT/OT Segmentation (Goal #8). DOE ICS REC program provides $15M in grants for co-op cybersecurity through NRECA.
• Enero SolutionsstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to bring enhanced network segmentation through data diodes to advanced manufacturers across North America. Combines Fend's physical cybersecurity with Enero's remote process performance monitoring and control optimization for critical infrastructure.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)strategicTechnology or IntegrationFend is an AWS Partner having built its cloud-based tools on the AWS platform. Fend Cloud data ingestion service is built on AWS, enabling customers to securely transmit data to AWS GovCloud and third-party analytics providers.
• Arrow Electronics / immixGroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArrow Electronics' public sector practice immixGroup serves as value-added distributor for Fend products to federal government customers through GSA MAS IT contract (GS-35F-0511T).
• SIXGENstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSIXGEN provides world-class cybersecurity services and products to protect government organizations and commercial industries. As reseller partner, SIXGEN is licensed and equipped to sell, install, maintain and support Fend products.
• BlackByte Cyber SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to secure industrial control systems from cyberattack. BlackByte's team has been trusted to defend electric infrastructure across America and helps analyze cyber threats facing critical infrastructure.
• CS2AI (Control System Cyber Security Association International)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to help defend critical infrastructure from cyberattack. Leverages CS2AI's 20,000+ members to reach equipment operators and facility managers with Fend technology.
• InflexionPointminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership to deliver secure communications between SCADA systems infrastructure. Founded 1983 as system integration company expanded into Manufacturing Intelligence, AI, and IT4OT Network Infrastructure and Cybersecurity.
• George Mason UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) NOVA Node to extract data from vehicles and process in the cloud. Won proposal for automotive telemetry monitoring using Fend diodes.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fendcyber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fend-incorporated

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fend