Secdev
SecDev is a privately held Ottawa-based geopolitical risk and cybersecurity intelligence firm that combines 30 years of intelligence expertise with AI-powered OSINT, HUMINT, and geospatial data synthesis. It serves Fortune 100/Global 50 enterprises, defense ministries, governments, and international organizations across 120+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersOttawa, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Secdev does
SecDev is a privately held Ottawa-based geopolitical risk and cybersecurity intelligence firm established in 2007 by Rafal Rohozinski, Deirdre Collings, and Robert Muggah, emerging from the University of Cambridge's Global Security Program. The company combines 30 years of intelligence expertise with AI-powered systems, proprietary data pipelines, and OSINT/HUMINT/geospatial data synthesis to deliver intelligence products to Fortune 100/Global 50 enterprises, defense ministries, intelligence agencies, international organizations (World Bank, UNDP), and national governments across 120+ countries. Core offerings span SecDev AI (a Data-as-a-Service platform with custom small language models and curated datasets delivered via private cloud or on-prem), Intelligence on Demand (contract-free advisory services from flash briefings to deep strategic analysis), and Cyber & Digital Risk services (SOC design, threat intelligence, penetration testing, incident response, capacity building).
The company's go-to-market combines a no-retainer, pay-as-you-go advisory model with multi-year government and donor-funded engagements, plus a subscription intelligence briefing (Flashnotes) distributed via Substack. SecDev monetizes through three primary streams: subscription recurring intelligence briefings, professional services for cybersecurity and consulting engagements, and data monetization via the SecDev AI platform. Distribution is direct and relationship-driven, leveraging strategic partnerships with the World Bank, UNDP, Global Affairs Canada, Palantir, the Canadian AI Sovereign Innovation Cluster (CASIC), Meta, TikTok, and the U.S. Department of Defence. The company is GDPR compliant and aligns cybersecurity assessments with ISO 27001 standards. Its wholly owned subsidiary SecDev Foundation (established 2011) operates as a separate NGO with 60+ staff, and former commercial arm Zeropoint Security was spun off in 2017.
Secdev firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Secdev
- Legal name
- SecDev Group
- Website
- https://secdev.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SecDev is a privately held Ottawa-based geopolitical risk and cybersecurity intelligence firm that combines 30 years of intelligence expertise with AI-powered OSINT, HUMINT, and geospatial data synthesis. It serves Fortune 100/Global 50 enterprises, defense ministries, governments, and international organizations across 120+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Secdev industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Geopolitical Intelligence and Cybersecurity Consulting
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Computer Related Services (541519)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cybersecurity Architecture & Security Integration (BPAEAAAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service (BPAEADAB), Cyber Defense & Information Security (National Security) (BPAIAHAE)
Keywords
Where Secdev is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ottawa
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Secdev business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Intelligence on Demand Services: Real-time assessments to deep strategic analysis delivered as a service with no contracts, no retainers. Clients pay for specific intelligence deliverables as needed, providing flexible engagement without long-term financial commitments.
- Cybersecurity Solutions and Consulting: Tailored cybersecurity solutions including needs assessments, SOC design and deployment, threat intelligence, penetration testing, capacity building, and incident response planning delivered to governments and enterprises globally.
- AI Data as a Service: Custom curated datasets, proprietary pipelines, and closed-loop small language model systems delivered through private cloud or on-premises deployment options for operational precision.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Flash Notes - Subscription intelligence briefings |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Real-Time Assessment - On-demand intelligence |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Deep Dive Intelligence - Custom strategic analysis |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Secdev product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SecDev is a next-generation geopolitical risk agency combining 30 years of intelligence expertise with AI-powered systems. The company delivers contract-free intelligence on demand, cybersecurity and digital risk consulting, and a Data as a Service AI platform built on proprietary data pipelines and curated datasets. Offerings span cyber defense, digital harm reduction, AI-powered geopolitical intelligence, and strategic research for governments, Fortune 100/Global 50 enterprises, and international organizations.
Product overview
SecDev is a next-generation geopolitical risk agency combining 30 years of intelligence expertise with AI-powered systems. The company operates a platform-plus-services model centered on SecDev AI (Data as a Service platform), Intelligence on Demand (contract-free advisory services), and Cyber & Digital Risk services. Supporting offerings include Project Kiron (digital harms reduction in Bangladesh), Flashnotes (subscription intelligence briefings), the Digital Response Initiative (conflict region digital threat mitigation), Strategic Cyber Stability Program, and Green Transition Research. The portfolio covers cyber defense, digital risk reduction, AI-powered geopolitical intelligence, and strategic research on critical minerals and energy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kiron: SecDev's flagship initiative addressing digital harms in Bangladesh, expanding focus from violent extremism to broader digital threats including cybercrime, disinformation, and personal digital harms.
- Flashnote
- SecDev AI
Products and services
- SecDev AI First-in-class Data as a Service AI platform combining highly trained models with unique curated datasets, providing mission-focused expert systems designed for real-time monitoring, advanced analytics, and secure delivery through private cloud or on-premises deployment. Targeted at multinational corporations, financial institutions, insurers, and government partners requiring data sovereignty.
- Intelligence on Demand Contract-free geopolitical intelligence service providing real-time assessments to deep strategic analysis with no contracts or retainers. Includes Flash Notes weekly updates, Real-Time Assessment actionable insights within days, Dive Deeper in-depth analysis, and AI Knowledge Platforms with data sovereignty. Targeted at Fortune 100/Global 50 enterprises, financial institutions, and government clients.
- Cyber & Digital Risk Comprehensive cybersecurity and digital risk services including needs assessments, strategic design and implementation, defense-in-depth strategies, SOC design and deployment, threat intelligence, risk and vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, capacity building, simulations and exercises, policy development, and incident response. Targeted at governments, defense ministries, intelligence agencies, and enterprises facing advanced persistent threats.
- Flashnotes Weekly intelligence briefings providing geopolitical, digital, urban, energy, and cyber insights delivered via Substack subscription. Subscription-based service with over 2,000 subscribers and a paid membership option for full access, serving as an entry point to deeper intelligence services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2,000% surge in subscriptions to violent extremist channels identified and tracked in Bangladesh by January 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Secdev
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Secdev technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature5 records
Secdev partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered significant, foundational, core, regional and strategic.
- CRDF GlobalsignificantPartnership with CRDF Global under U.S. State Department Bureau of Cyber Policy program to spearhead Costa Rica's cybersecurity response and recovery efforts following severe ransomware attack.
- University of Cambridge - Global Security ProgrammefoundationalSecDev emerged from the University of Cambridge's Global Security Programme. Co-founders had academic backgrounds through this institution, establishing foundational research and methodology roots.
- Citizen Lab, University of TorontocoreLong-standing partnership launching OpenNet Initiative (ONI), Information Warfare Monitor (IWM), and co-founding Psiphon circumvention technology. Joint investigation into GhostNet cyber espionage.
- PsiphoncoreCo-founded circumvention company that became a premier VPN service breaking through censorship in authoritarian states. From 2009-2012, SecDev CEO Rafal Rohozinski served as CEO of both SecDev and Psiphon, guiding Psiphon to profitability.
- PalantirsignificantStrategic partnership with Palantir and governments of US, UK, and Canada to advance open-source cyber intelligence capabilities and reinforce information gathering methodologies.
- Harvard University - Berkman CentrecorePartnership through Ford Foundation grant to launch OpenNet Initiative and Information Warfare Monitor projects, establishing worldwide benchmark for evaluating internet controls.
- World BankcoreSecDev led development of World Bank's Digital Economy Country Assessment methodology and its application in Central Asia through Digital CASA project. Collaborated on Liberia's cybersecurity strategy.
- UNDP BangladeshcoreProject Kiron executed in partnership with UNDP Bangladesh and Rupantar, addressing digital harms including cybercrime, disinformation, and personal digital harms. Supported by Global Affairs Canada.
- Brazil's Igarapé InstitutesignificantStrategic partnership for security research and policy engagement, addressing global challenges with profit and purpose combined.
- SecDev FoundationcoreSister NGO established to differentiate commercial endeavors from committed initiatives focused on safeguarding rights of vulnerable populations in the digital domain. Foundation has 60+ employees with offices in Canada and Singapore.
- Global Affairs CanadacoreFunder and partner for digital harm reduction initiatives including Project Kiron and humanitarian programs in Yemen. Provided startup grant for Digital Response initiative.
- U.S. Army War CollegefoundationalEarly partnership orchestrating workshops to critically evaluate transformative impact of Internet, social media, and cyber operations on future landscape of peace and conflict.
- OECDfoundationalEarly collaboration contributing to formulation of guidance document on armed violence reduction during startup phase.
- US Department of Defence / Combating Terrorism Technology Support OfficesignificantDevelopment of open-source intelligence tools for US Special Operations Command and US Marine Corps Information Operations Centre.
- Civil Initiative for Internet Policy (Kyrgyzstan)regionalCentral Asian partner for OSCE co-convened Central Asia Security Forum, broadening dialogue between civil society and security forces on violent extremism.
- Facebook (Meta)significantAdvising Facebook on minimizing harms caused by violent extremist groups on their platform based on research across Central Asia.
- TikToksignificantAdvising TikTok on minimizing harms caused by violent extremist groups on their platform.
- Canadian AI Sovereign Innovation Cluster (CASIC)strategicSecDev is a founding member championing the mission to promote building and buying Canadian AI, aligning with core mission of delivering precision-built expert systems while serving national security.
- RupantarcoreLocal partner in Bangladesh executing Project Kiron, SecDev's flagship initiative addressing digital harms including cybercrime, disinformation, and personal digital harms.
- Zeropoint SecuritycoreFormerly SecDevCyber, now independently operated specializing in cybersecurity domain. Created Blackwatch worldwide internet censorship monitoring system used by BBC and European/US broadcasters.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Secdev competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dataminr: AI real-time event and risk detection platform processing public data feeds for corporate security, news, and government clients. Comparable to SecDev's real-time monitoring and digital harm reduction use cases, with similar buyer profiles and predictive analytics positioning.
- Control Risks: Global geopolitical and security risk consultancy providing intelligence, advisory, and incident response to multinational enterprises. Directly comparable to SecDev's Intelligence on Demand and geopolitical risk practice in buyer profile and deliverable structure.
- Recorded Future: Threat intelligence platform delivering OSINT, dark web monitoring, and geopolitical risk analytics to enterprises and governments (owned by Mastercard). Directly comparable to SecDev's Intelligence on Demand and Cyber & Digital Risk offerings in terms of buyer, data model, and use cases.
- ZeroFox: Digital risk protection and external threat intelligence platform, including social media and dark web monitoring. Comparable to SecDev's digital harm reduction, violent extremism monitoring, and disinformation detection capabilities for enterprises and platforms.
- Babel Street: OSINT and data analytics platform focused on identity, risk, and threat intelligence for defense, intelligence, and commercial customers. Closely aligned with SecDev's OSINT, multilingual monitoring, and digital risk offerings.
- Mandiant: Threat intelligence and incident response firm (now part of Google Cloud) serving enterprises and governments. Closely comparable to SecDev's threat intelligence, incident response, and SOC design services for similar buyer segments.
- Eurasia Group: Geopolitical risk advisory firm serving Fortune 500 clients with political and macroeconomic analysis. Overlaps with SecDev's strategic intelligence and geopolitical risk practice, particularly for multinational corporate buyers.
Broad incumbents
- Palantir Technologies: Large-scale data analytics and OSINT platform serving defense, intelligence, and commercial customers. Both a SecDev partner and a competing provider of AI-driven intelligence platforms; comparable because Palantir's Gotham/MetaConstellation platforms overlap with SecDev's OSINT and AI Data-as-a-Service capabilities.
- Booz Allen Hamilton: Large defense and intelligence contractor delivering cybersecurity, cyber operations, and analytics to U.S. and allied governments. Comparable because Booz Allen's cyber threat intelligence and OSINT work for federal clients overlaps with SecDev's defense ministry and government engagements.
Emerging players
- Strider Technologies: OSINT-driven strategic intelligence firm focused on state-sponsored economic and security threats for enterprises and governments. Comparable emerging competitor in the OSINT + geopolitical risk intersection that SecDev occupies, with overlapping customer profiles.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Secdev social profiles
Digital presenceSecdev compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Secdev financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Secdev leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Secdev subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Secdev funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Secdev M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Secdev
What does Secdev do?
SecDev is a next-generation geopolitical risk agency combining 30 years of intelligence expertise with AI-powered systems. The company delivers contract-free intelligence on demand, cybersecurity and digital risk consulting, and a Data as a Service AI platform built on proprietary data pipelines and curated datasets. Offerings span cyber defense, digital harm reduction, AI-powered geopolitical intelligence, and strategic research for governments, Fortune 100/Global 50 enterprises, and international organizations.
Is Secdev a public or private company?
Secdev is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Secdev founded?
Secdev was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Secdev based?
Secdev is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Secdev make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Intelligence on Demand Services are the primary driver. The others are cybersecurity Solutions and Consulting and AI Data as a Service.
Who are Secdev's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dataminr, Control Risks, Recorded Future, ZeroFox, Babel Street, Mandiant and Eurasia Group. Broad incumbents are Palantir Technologies and Booz Allen Hamilton. Strider Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does Secdev have an API?
No public API is recorded for Secdev.
What industry is Secdev in?
Secdev's product category is Geopolitical Intelligence and Cybersecurity Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAAAL, Cybersecurity Architecture & Security Integration, with a secondary code of BPAEADAB, Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service. Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7373.