What ZIEN does

ZIEN (ZIEN Inc.) is a Seoul-headquartered, privately held IoT security company founded in 2021. It sells an automated platform for inspecting firmware-level vulnerabilities in connected devices, with productized offerings covering automated IoT inspection (Z-IoT), binary-level firmware vulnerability analysis using Concolic analysis (Z-PLOIT), software bill-of-materials and CVE management for embedded open-source components (Z-BOM), and EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) cybersecurity compliance delivered with Bureau Veritas (Z-RED). Consulting and training services are layered on top, and the firm positions itself for IoT device manufacturers — particularly connected home appliances such as robot vacuums — that need regulatory compliance, SBOM tracking, and firmware vulnerability discovery without dedicated security staff.

Revenue mechanics combine subscription-style platform access for Z-IoT, Z-BOM, and Z-RED with professional-services revenue from penetration-testing consulting and training. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; offerings are explicitly paid with no freemium or free-trial tier, and contracts are described as multi-year. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales with "Request a Demo" CTAs, supplemented by a self-service posture for mid-market accounts through user-friendly tooling that does not require security expertise. Marketing is content-driven via a Tech Blog and Newsroom focused on EU RED, the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), and IoT security certification. The company reports 11-50 employees, has raised approximately $539K in seed capital from the Incheon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation and the TIPS Program (both dated 2023-11-06), and has secured government validation through KISA and KCA's use of Z-IoT in a South Korean robot vacuum IoT security investigation in 2025.

Name

ZIEN

Legal name

ZIEN Inc.

Website

https://zi-en.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZIEN is a Seoul-based IoT security company offering automated firmware vulnerability inspection (Z-IoT, Z-PLOIT), SBOM/CVE management (Z-BOM), and EU RED compliance (Z-RED) to IoT device manufacturers and connected-appliance OEMs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IoT Security Software

NAICS

Other Computer Related Services (541519), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Vulnerability Assessment & Scanning (HDADAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Remote Access & Privileged Access for OT (ZTA/PAM for Vendors) (HDADAJAG)

Keywords

• IoT security platform
• Firmware vulnerability scanning
• Binary security analysis
• SBOM management software
• EU RED compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. IoT Security Inspection Services: Automated firmware security vulnerability checking services delivered as paid platform services. Includes binary upload-based vulnerability scanning, input information-based checks, and online vulnerability information provision.
2. IoT Security Consulting: Customized vulnerability solutions and security reinforcement guidance through IoT penetration testing services.
3. IoT Security Training: Security training services by industry experts covering latest legal and security trends, vulnerability assessment methods, and response strategies.
4. Regulatory Compliance Platform: Z-RED platform for EU RED cybersecurity compliance, provided as a platform service for conformity assessment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ZIEN provides an automated IoT security inspection platform that scans IoT device firmware for vulnerabilities, performs binary security analysis using Concolic analysis, manages Software Bills of Materials (SBOM) and CVEs, and supports EU RED cybersecurity compliance. The platform is sold alongside customized IoT penetration testing consulting and expert-led security training services for IoT device manufacturers and enterprises needing regulatory conformity assessment.

Product overview

ZIEN is a convergence security company dedicated to IoT security research, offering a unified platform of automated security solutions. The portfolio consists of Z-IoT (core automated inspection platform), Z-PLOIT (binary analysis using Concolic analysis), Z-BOM (SBOM/CVE management), and Z-RED (EU RED compliance), complemented by consulting and training services. The products work together to provide end-to-end IoT security from vulnerability detection through compliance management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Z-IoT: Automated IoT Security Inspection Solution that swiftly identifies security vulnerabilities in IoT devices
• Z-PLOIT
• Z-BOM
• Z-RED

Products and services

• Z-IoT Automated IoT Security Inspection Solution that swiftly and accurately identifies security vulnerabilities within IoT devices to enhance security and prevent security incidents. Designed for IoT device manufacturers and security teams with no security expertise required.
• Z-PLOIT Automatic Binary Security Analysis solution utilizing Concolic analysis to automatically analyze undisclosed vulnerabilities within firmware without requiring source code access.
• Z-BOM SBOM Security Management solution that identifies binary open-source software versions and handles CVE vulnerabilities promptly using a proprietary CVE database, for IoT device manufacturers and compliance teams.
• Z-RED Platform for EU RED (Radio Equipment Directive) Cybersecurity Compliance, developed in collaboration with Bureau Veritas, enabling IoT manufacturers to achieve regulatory compliance certification for connected devices sold in the EU.
• IoT Security Consulting Customized IoT security consulting providing strategic guidance for vulnerability solutions and security reinforcement through IoT penetration testing, targeted at IoT device manufacturers and enterprise security teams.
• IoT Security Training Security training by industry experts providing insights into the latest legal and security trends, vulnerability assessment methods, and response strategies, for IoT device manufacturers and security teams preparing for EU RED/CRA compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced cost compared to manual security checks
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bureau VeritasflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2025ZIEN and Bureau Veritas collaborated to launch 'Z-RED,' a platform for EU RED cybersecurity compliance. Bureau Veritas, a global testing and inspection company, provides regulatory expertise and conformity assessment capabilities, while ZIEN contributes its automated IoT security technology. This partnership enables manufacturers to achieve EU RED compliance certification for their connected devices.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Claroty: Claroty is a leading OT/ICS and IoT cybersecurity platform offering vulnerability management, asset discovery, and secure remote access for connected operational technology. Directly comparable to ZIEN's IoT security inspection and vulnerability scanning focus, especially for industrial/connected device manufacturers.
• Nozomi Networks: Nozomi Networks specializes in OT and IoT security, providing vulnerability assessment, asset visibility, and threat detection for industrial and critical infrastructure environments. Comparable to ZIEN's automated vulnerability inspection and binary firmware analysis capabilities.
• Onekey (OneKey): Onekey is a European IoT/embedded firmware security platform providing automated SBOM, CVE analysis, and compliance support for connected device manufacturers. A direct competitor to ZIEN, particularly in the EU RED/CRA compliance space, with EU regulatory expertise and customers.

Broad incumbents

• Qualys: Qualys is a major cloud vulnerability management and compliance platform serving enterprise customers. Overlaps with ZIEN in firmware/vulnerability scanning and regulatory compliance, but Qualys is a much broader, public incumbent with enterprise security teams as its primary customer.
• Rapid7: Rapid7 is a public cybersecurity company offering vulnerability management, detection, and response (InsightVM, Metasploit). Adjacent to ZIEN's vulnerability scanning and pen testing services, though Rapid7 targets enterprise IT rather than IoT manufacturers specifically.
• Tenable: Tenable is a publicly-traded vulnerability management incumbent (Nessus) with expanding IoT/OT exposure management via Tenable OT Security. ZIEN competes against Tenable in the IoT firmware vulnerability scanning layer, while Tenable offers a much broader enterprise platform.

Emerging players

• Cybellum: Cybellum (acquired by LG Electronics) provides a Product Security Platform for IoT/connected device manufacturers, including SBOM management, vulnerability analysis, and compliance. Comparable to ZIEN's Z-BOM and Z-PLOIT capabilities, with automotive and industrial focus.
• Asimily: Asimily provides IoT/connected device vulnerability and risk management, including SBOM and firmware analysis for enterprise IoT fleets. Highly comparable to ZIEN's Z-IoT/Z-PLOIT capability set, though Asimily focuses more on asset inventory and risk prioritization in enterprise environments.
• VicOne: VicOne provides automotive and IoT cybersecurity, including SBOM, vulnerability scanning, and compliance for connected vehicles. Comparable to ZIEN in IoT-specific vulnerability management and SBOM/CVE workflows, with a vertical focus on automotive rather than consumer appliances.
• Sternum IoT: Sternum provides embedded runtime security and vulnerability mitigation for IoT and connected devices. Adjacent to ZIEN's Z-PLOIT firmware analysis, though Sternum focuses on in-device runtime protection rather than pre-market inspection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 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 ZIEN