ICTK

What ICTK does

ICTK is a South Korean fabless security semiconductor company founded in 2001 and listed on KOSDAQ (ticker 456010) since 2024, headquartered in Seoul with a US subsidiary (ICTK America Inc., San Jose, established 2024) and a China branch in Shenzhen. The company employs 51-100 people and has raised cumulative equity of approximately USD 35 million across seed (2014), Series A (2016), Series B (2019), and a 2025 USD 15 million corporate investment from BTQ Technologies.

The company's technology foundation is its proprietary VIA PUF (Physically Unclonable Function) intellectual property, compliant with ISO/IEC 20897, which generates unique device identities from microscopic via-hole variations in semiconductor manufacturing. ICTK combines this PUF-based Hardware Root of Trust with Post-Quantum Cryptography (NIST ML-KEM/ML-DSA) to deliver quantum-resilient security products spanning four categories: Security IP (VIA PUF licensing), Security Chips (G5Q quantum chip, G5N world-first PUF-PQC chip, G3(K) KCMVP-certified HRoT chip, PQC-PUF eSIM/USIM, STR device authentication, MTB battery authentication), Security Modules (qTrustPCIe HSM, qTrustUSB), and Security Solutions (qTrustNet SDP VPN, PQC KMS/CA, D-GO closed-network storage). Certifications include KCMVP, CC EAL 6+, and ISO/IEC 20897.

ICTK serves enterprise customers across defense, finance, IoT, telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics sectors through direct enterprise sales. Disclosed and named customers include LG Uplus, LG Group, China Haier, a major Korean industrial robot manufacturer, and South Korean banks participating in the first bank-led KRW stablecoin pilot. Revenue streams are hardware chip sales, security solution sales, subscription-based PQC KMS/CA services, and VIA PUF IP licensing to semiconductor companies. Mass production of security chips for undisclosed global big tech began in 2026.

Name

ICTK

Legal name

아이씨티케이 주식회사 (ICTK Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://ictk.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ICTK is a South Korean KOSDAQ-listed fabless security semiconductor company that develops quantum-resilient Hardware Root of Trust chips and solutions combining its proprietary VIA PUF technology with Post-Quantum Cryptography, serving defense, finance, IoT, telecom, and consumer electronics enterprises globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Semiconductors

NAICS

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411), Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)

akta.pro primary industry

Quantum-Safe Hardware & Embedded Security (TPM/secure elements/firmware) (HDAGAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hardware Security EDA & IP (Secure Design, PUF, Crypto, Anti-Tamper) (HDAHAFAK), Secure Elements & Trusted Execution Processors (TPM/TEE/Crypto MCUs) (HDAHAJAK), Quantum-Safe Network Infrastructure & Migration (PQC-enabled Networking) (HDAGAFAG), Quantum-Safe Cryptographic Algorithms & Protocols (PQC) (HDAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Security semiconductors
• PUF technology
• Post-quantum cryptography
• Hardware root of trust
• Quantum security chips

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Security Chips Sales: Sale of quantum security chips (G5Q, G5N), PUF security chips (G3(K)), and authentication security chips (STR, MTB). Mass supply of security chips has begun for undisclosed big tech companies.
2. PQC Services: PQC KMS (Key Management System) and PQC CA (Certificate Authority) services for quantum security upgrades of existing systems. Includes certificate management, key management, and authentication infrastructure.
3. Security Solutions: Sale of qTrustNet VPN solutions and security modules (qTrustPCIe, qTrustUSB). Hardware-based security solutions for network and data protection.
4. Security IP Licensing: Licensing of VIA PUF technology and security IP to semiconductor companies and device manufacturers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ICTK designs, manufactures, and sells PUF (Physically Unclonable Function) based security semiconductors and post-quantum cryptography solutions. Its portfolio spans security IP (VIA PUF), quantum and authentication security chips (G5Q, G5N, G3(K), STR, MTB, PQC-PUF eSIM/USIM), hardware security modules (qTrustPCIe, qTrustUSB), and end-to-end security solutions (qTrustNet VPN, PQC KMS, PQC CA, D-GO) for enterprises across defense, finance, IoT, telecom, and consumer electronics.

Product overview

ICTK offers a comprehensive quantum security portfolio centered on its proprietary VIA PUF™ (Physically Unclonable Function) intellectual property. The product portfolio spans four categories: Security IP (VIA PUF core technology enabling hardware root of trust), Security Chips (quantum security chips G5Q/G5N, PUF security chip G3K, device authentication STR, battery authentication MTB, and PQC-PUF eSIM/USIM), Security Modules (qTrustPCIe hardware security module, qTrustUSB PUF security module), and Security Solutions (qTrustNet SDP VPN for quantum-safe network security, PQC KMS for key management, PQC CA for certificate authority, and D-GO for closed network secure storage). The portfolio establishes a Quantum-Resilient Chain of Trust from PUF-enabled hardware through PQC, ensuring trusted connectivity for the quantum era.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIA PUF: ICTK's proprietary Physically Unclonable Function technology — a hardware security technology that generates unique device identities from semiconductor manufacturing characteristics, compliant with ISO/IEC 20897.
• VIA PUF Technology
• G5Q
• G5N
• G3(K)
• STR
• MTB
• qTrustNet
• PQC KMS
• PQC CA
• qTrustPCIe
• qTrustUSB
• D-GO
• PAZI

Products and services

• VIA PUF
• G5Q Quantum Security Chip
• G5N Quantum Security Chip World's first PUF-PQC (unclonable quantum security) chip, the most powerful security chip for the quantum computing era, combining VIA PUF key protection with quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms and eFlash user memory.
• G3(K) HRoT Security Chip
• PQC-PUF eSIM/USIM
• STR Authentication Security Chip Hardware-based device authentication security chip that blocks device tampering, protects firmware, and guarantees authentic device certification for edge devices and IoT, without requiring separate security key storage.
• MTB (Mobile Trust Block)
• qTrustPCIe Security Module
• qTrustUSB Security Module
• qTrustNet
• PQC KMS
• PQC CA
• D-GO Closed network local storage security environment (data vault) that minimizes external intrusion paths through internet blocking and closed network operation, with PUF USB authentication, L1/L2/L3 permission separation, offline Local AI, E2EE, and audit logs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% key reproducibility for over 10 years under PVT variations and aging
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BTQ QSSN (Quantum Secure Systems & Networks)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026QSSN selected as core post-quantum security infrastructure for South Korea's first bank-led KRW stablecoin pilot. ICTK's hardware integrated into quantum-secure financial network ecosystem.
• Daou DataminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 April 2026Partnership to implement hardware-rooted post-quantum cryptography into Korea's payment gateway and value-added network systems for financial data protection.
• Defense Technology Security AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026Technology exchange MOU signing to expand PUF-based trust technology applications in defense security sector.
• ITRI (Industrial Technology Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Strategic collaboration to validate BTQ's QCIM security chip in silicon. Validation work measures performance metrics including speed and power efficiency for next-generation post-quantum cryptographic functions, producing benchmarks to guide product development. Complements BTQ's separate collaboration with ICTK for fully integrated post-quantum chipset deployment.
• BTQ TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025USD 15 million development and joint investment agreement to co-develop Quantum Compute in Memory (QCIM) secure element platform combining BTQ's post-quantum cryptography with ICTK's chip design and manufacturing. Includes joint chip design, validation, tape-outs, certification, and commercialization. BTQ's direct equity investment into ICTK with preferential manufacturing capacity commitments. Target applications include digital asset wallets, IoT devices, payment gateways, and defense systems.
• Kookmin University Cyber Electronic Warfare Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2025Technical exchange agreement signed for Glocal Lab consortium program. Collaboration on PUF-based security technology research and development.
• Kudo CommunicationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 November 2024Distributor agreement for sales and distribution of ICTK security solutions in specific markets.
• RambusminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023MOU signing and joint IP proposal development for security chip solutions. Collaboration on tamper-resistant PUF technology for Root of Trust applications.
• LG UpluscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021PUF-VPN development and delivery (world's first PUF-VPN). uSIM PoC and related service PoC. IoT eSIM technology preparation. Ongoing quantum security cooperation models.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020AWS issued ICTK Wi-Fi module security certificate as first recipient, enabling secure IoT device connectivity to AWS cloud services.
• ADD (Agency for Defense Development)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Selected as research institution for civil-military technology cooperation project on semantic information processing for edge SoC and middleware development.
• LG GroupcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2018PUF-based security platform construction and supply for smart home appliances and consumer electronics.
• China HaierminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2018PUF-based security platform construction and supply for smart home appliances in Chinese market.
• Korea Internet & Security AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Selected as government research institution for IoT device autonomous trust guarantee and global standard-based IoT platform development.
• DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Selected as research institution for PUF hardware security technology-based IoT security platform development under defense project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Microchip Technology: Offers crypto-authentication ICs (ATECC608B) and microcontrollers with hardware root-of-trust features widely deployed in IoT. Competes for the same IoT authentication sockets as ICTK's STR/MTB/G3(K) lines but across an enormous MCU and mixed-signal catalog.
• Infineon Technologies: Global leader in TPMs and secure elements (OPTIGA family) for PCs, IoT, automotive, and industrial. Competes with ICTK in the same hardware-root-of-trust sockets but across a far broader portfolio of power, automotive, and connectivity semiconductors.
• STMicroelectronics: Provides STM32 secure MCU families and STSAFE secure elements for industrial, IoT, and automotive security. Comparable to ICTK's secure-element and HRoT positioning but with vastly broader MCU and analog reach.
• NXP Semiconductors: Major secure-element vendor (EdgeLock SE050/SE051, A1006) serving IoT authentication, automotive secure access, and payment. Same target customers as ICTK but operating as a multi-billion-dollar incumbent across automotive and connectivity.

Direct peers

• Crypto4A Technologies: Canadian vendor of post-quantum-ready hardware security modules (HSMs) targeting financial, government, and critical infrastructure. Directly comparable to ICTK's qTrustPCIe HSM and PQC KMS, with a similar focus on PQC-ready, hardware-rooted key management.
• Rambus: US-based security IP and chip company with a Hardware Root of Trust portfolio that directly competes with ICTK's VIA PUF and HRoT offerings. Rambus has an existing collaboration with ICTK on tamper-resistant PUF, underscoring direct overlap in security IP.

Emerging players

• PQShield: UK-based PQC IP and chip-design company providing post-quantum cryptographic implementations for semiconductors and HSMs. Highly comparable to ICTK's PQC IP and chip direction, though more software/IP-centric and at an earlier commercialization stage.
• ID Quantique (IDQ): Swiss quantum-safe networking vendor (QKD, quantum-safe network encryption) and existing ICTK partner (collaborated with SK Telecom). Comparable to qTrustNet's quantum-safe VPN/security networking offering, with a stronger QKD hardware focus.

Regional players

• QuantumCTek: China-based QKD and quantum-secure communications vendor serving Chinese state, financial, and telecom customers. Operates in the same PQC/quantum-security space as ICTK but is geographically focused on the PRC market with limited global overlap.

Others

• BTQ Technologies: Canada-based post-quantum cryptography company that is ICTK's $15M QCIM co-development partner. Functions as both a strategic investor/supplier of PQC IP into ICTK's chips and a competitive counterpart in the broader PQC ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Via.PUF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ictk-puf

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors10 records

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 ICTK