Softlock
Softlock is a Cairo-based, privately held information security provider founded in 1995 that delivers PKI, FIDO2 authentication, software protection, and mobile app shielding hardware and services to government ministries, banks, and enterprises across MENA and selected European markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersSzczecin, Poland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Softlock does
Softlock is a Cairo-headquartered, privately held information security firm operating since 1995 that sells hardware authentication products, software protection tooling, and managed security services primarily to government ministries, banks, and large enterprises across the Middle East, Africa, and selected European and Asia-Pacific markets. The portfolio rests on three technology pillars: Public Key Infrastructure (Certificate Authority, OTP RADIUS, Centralized Authentication, PKI tokens), FIDO2-based passwordless authentication (FIDO2 Key, FIDO2 Smartcard), and DRM/license control combined with mobile application protection (Softlock Protection Studio, Personal Protector, and The Guardian mobile app shielding technology reported to protect 100M+ users). Differentiated offerings include a patented Biometric OTP Card, a Common Criteria EAL4+ certified Enterprise CA, FIPS 140-2 certified PKI tokens, ITIDA and Egyptian Digital Signature Law compliance, and integrations with SAML, LDAP, RADIUS, Active Directory, and Oracle ERP.
The company monetizes across four revenue streams: hardware product sales (FIDO2 keys, smartcards, PKI tokens, secure USB drives), perpetual software licenses (Protection Studio, Personal Protector, Mobile App Protection), professional services including a 5-month Information Security Diploma, consultancy, integration, and penetration testing, and software development outsourcing for clients in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and MENA. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting ministries of defense, interior, education, and communication alongside banks, complemented by a technology partner ecosystem (Infineon, NXP, NEXT Biometrics, PrimeKey, AET Europe, Silone) and a flagship channel partnership with Polish Security Printing Works (PWPW) for Egypt. The customer base disclosed in case studies is heavily skewed toward Egyptian and Saudi government institutions and regional banks, with selective enterprise wins such as MONETA Money Bank (Czech Republic), STC Pay, and Kuwait Airlines.
Softlock firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Softlock
- Legal name
- Softlock Inc.
- Website
- https://softlock.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Softlock is a Cairo-based, privately held information security provider founded in 1995 that delivers PKI, FIDO2 authentication, software protection, and mobile app shielding hardware and services to government ministries, banks, and enterprises across MENA and selected European markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Softlock is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Szczecin
- HQ country
- Poland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Softlock business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Security Hardware Products: Sale of physical security hardware including FIDO2 keys, smartcards, PKI tokens, and secure USB drives. Hardware products provide two and three-factor authentication capabilities.
- Software Licenses: Perpetual licenses for software protection products including Softlock Protection Studio, Personal Protector, and Mobile Application Protection. License management system controls software distribution and usage rights.
- Professional Services: Information Security Training (Standard PKI Security Course, Information Security Diploma), Consultancy & Integration services, Penetration Testing, and Custom Security Solutions development for governments and enterprises.
- Outsourcing Services: Software development outsourcing and recruitment services for enterprises in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Mena region. Services include project management, test management, web and mobile app development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Security Solutions - Custom quoted pricing |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Software Protection Products - License-based pricing |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Training Services - Course-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Softlock product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Softlock sells hardware-based authentication products (FIDO2 keys, biometric and smart PKI tokens), software protection tools (Softlock Protection Studio, Personal Protector, Mobile Application Protection / The Guardian), enterprise PKI solutions (Certificate Authority, OTP Radius, Centralized Authentication, Secure Data Exchange/Storage/Network Access, e-Invoice Signing), and professional services including information security training, consultancy, penetration testing, and software development outsourcing. Its offerings target governments, banks, and large enterprises across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.
Product overview
Softlock is an information security solutions provider offering a portfolio of hardware security products, software protection tools, and managed security services. The hardware portfolio includes FIDO2 security keys and smartcards, biometric PKI tokens, and smart PKI tokens for multifactor authentication. The software protection suite centers on Softlock Protection Studio, Personal Protector, and Mobile Application Protection (The Guardian). Core security solutions include PKI-based authentication systems (OTP Radius System, Centralized Authentication IDP, Certificate Authority), data protection (Secure Data Exchange, Secure Data Storage, Secure Network Access), and e-Invoice Signing. The company also provides professional services including security training (Standard PKI Security Course, Information Security Diploma), consultancy and integration, penetration testing, and software development outsourcing. Products operate within three technology pillars: PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), NFC-based secure mobile applications, and DRM & License Control.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Softlock Protection Studio: All in one software protection tool providing different protection techniques including CD/DVD Protection, CDR Protection, USB Dongle Protection, and Online Activation Protection.
- The Guardian
- FIDO2 Security Keys
- Softlock PKI Tokens
Products and services
- Fido2 Key Hardware security key providing strong two-factor and multi-factor authentication for web access without passwords, supporting FIDO2, FIDO U2F, and optional OTP capabilities. Targeted at individuals and enterprises needing phishing-resistant authentication.
- Softlock FIDO2 Smartcard Dual interface smartcard providing passwordless login experience for the web and cloud, compatible with FIDO2 and FIDO U2F standards, offering simplified two-factor authentication for mobile and desktop environments.
- Softlock Biometric PKI Token Hardware-based multifactor authentication security device using fingerprint verification, providing two or three-factor authentication combining PIN, hardware token, and fingerprint for individuals and corporates.
- Softlock Smart PKI Token Hardware security token providing two-factor authentication with PIN and hardware token, supporting RSA and Microsoft standards with onboard cryptography, secure certificate storage, and FIPS 140-2-L2 and ITIDA certification.
- Softlock Protection Studio
Quantifiable outcome
- Protects applications used by more than 100 Million users worldwide
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Softlock
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Softlock technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature5 records
Softlock partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- InfineoncoreInfineon Technologies AG is a German semiconductor company providing chip technology for smart cards and security solutions. Partnership provides secure element components for Softlock's PKI tokens and smart cards.
- NEXT BiometricscoreNEXT Biometrics provides fingerprint sensor technology with patented high-quality sensor modules at mass market prices. Partnership enables biometric capabilities in Softlock security hardware.
- NXP SemiconductorscoreNXP is a Dutch semiconductor manufacturer and one of the worldwide top 20 semiconductor sales leaders. Provides secure chip technology for smart card applications.
- AET EuropecoreA.E.T. Europe B.V. is a Dutch software development company focused on IT security since 1998. Develops software for deployment and use of secure elements and certificates for Government, Healthcare, Finance and Enterprises.
- PrimeKeycorePrimeKey Solutions specializes in PKI and digital signatures, providing products and services to make PKI solutions simple and cost-effective. Partners on enterprise PKI implementations.
- SilonecoreSilone was founded in 2001 in San Jose, CA, specializing in development, design, manufacturing and sale of high quality contactless, contact and dual-interface smart cards, as well as manufacturing and design of production and testing equipment for the smart card industry.
- PWPW (Polish Security Printing Works)flagshipSoftlock is the sole representative of PWPW in Egypt. PWPW is a commercial company owned by State Treasury and one of the world's leading producers of identity documents and banknotes. Partnership assures high level of security for Softlock smartcards with production according to strictly specified norms.
- id3 Technologiescoreid3 Technologies is a leading provider of match on card (MOC) technologies. Cooperation announced May 2020 to provide the information security market with a strong Biometric PKI Smartcard combining both companies' technologies.
- IDEX Biometrics ASAcorePartnership announced June 2021 to bring advanced security solutions to the Middle East. IDEX Biometrics provides advanced fingerprint identification and authentication solutions for identity management, access control and payment authentication applications.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Softlock competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DigiCert: Global leader in TLS/SSL and PKI certificate services. Competes with Softlock's Enterprise Certificate Authority in enterprise PKI deployments and e-government trust infrastructure.
- HID Global: Provider of identity and access management solutions including smart cards, PKI, and authentication tokens. Strong overlap with Softlock's PKI token and e-government solutions portfolio.
- Thales: Global leader in digital identity and security, offering PKI, HSMs, smartcards, and authentication solutions. Softlock competes with Thales' Digital Identity & Security business across PKI tokens, certificate authority, and government ID programs.
- Veridos: German provider of government identity solutions and secure documents. Overlaps with Softlock's e-government and PKI deployment work for sovereign identity and e-passport programs.
- IDEMIA: French global leader in identity and security solutions, particularly government identity documents, biometric authentication, and smartcards. Overlaps with Softlock's biometric PKI tokens and government customer base.
- Entrust: US-based provider of digital security and identity solutions including PKI, digital certificates, and authentication. Competes with Softlock in PKI infrastructure and certificate authority offerings.
Direct peers
- FEITIAN Technologies: Chinese manufacturer of FIDO2 security keys, smartcards, and PKI tokens. Closely comparable to Softlock in hardware authentication product lines, with strong OEM/ODM capabilities across global markets.
- Yubico: Swedish maker of YubiKey, the leading FIDO2 hardware security key for passwordless authentication. Directly competes with Softlock's FIDO2 Key and FIDO2 Smartcard in the hardware authentication market.
- Wibu-Systems: German provider of software protection and license management (CodeMeter). Direct competitor to Softlock Protection Studio in the software DRM and license control market for ISVs and game publishers.
Emerging players
- Nitrokey: German maker of open-source hardware security keys and smartcards. Comparable product portfolio to Softlock's FIDO2 and PKI tokens but smaller scale and open-source positioning targeting privacy-conscious customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Softlock social profiles
Digital presenceSoftlock compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Softlock financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Softlock leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Softlock funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Softlock 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 Softlock
What does Softlock do?
Softlock sells hardware-based authentication products (FIDO2 keys, biometric and smart PKI tokens), software protection tools (Softlock Protection Studio, Personal Protector, Mobile Application Protection / The Guardian), enterprise PKI solutions (Certificate Authority, OTP Radius, Centralized Authentication, Secure Data Exchange/Storage/Network Access, e-Invoice Signing), and professional services including information security training, consultancy, penetration testing, and software development outsourcing. Its offerings target governments, banks, and large enterprises across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe.
Is Softlock a public or private company?
Softlock is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Softlock founded?
Softlock was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Softlock based?
Softlock is headquartered in Szczecin, Poland, in the Europe region.
How does Softlock make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Security Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are software Licenses, professional Services and outsourcing Services.
Who are Softlock's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DigiCert, HID Global, Thales, Veridos, IDEMIA and Entrust. Direct peers are FEITIAN Technologies, Yubico and Wibu-Systems. Nitrokey is listed as an emerging player.
Does Softlock have an API?
Yes. Softlock e-Invoice Signing Solution is a RESTful API that integrates with existing systems to enable digital invoice signing for compliance with Egyptian Tax Authority regulations. The API receives invoice signing requests in JSON document format, hashes them with SHA-256 algorithm, and returns signed JSON documents with CADES-BES signatures included.