What Independent Software does

Independent Software, Inc. is a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) founded in 2005 by Rhonda L. Jansen and headquartered in Ellicott City, Maryland. The company delivers IT services, cybersecurity, data science/AI/ML, cloud computing, software engineering, and infrastructure solutions primarily to U.S. federal government defense and intelligence customers — including the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community agencies, DISA, and Fort Meade — with select work for Maryland State government and federal civilian agencies via its wholly-owned subsidiary Diverse Concepts, Inc. (DCi), acquired in January 2020. Its service portfolio spans computer network operations (offensive and defensive), threat analysis and management, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, identity management, cross-domain solutions, cloud modernization, and Big Data analytics using Hadoop, MapReduce, Pig, Hive, Elasticsearch, and MongoDB. The technology stack spans AWS, Google Cloud, Cisco, VMware, Docker, Kubernetes, Microsoft, Ansible, and similar enterprise platforms.

The company has developed a portfolio of proprietary, trademarked products that complement its services business. QBit-Key™ is a quantum-safe out-of-band symmetric key delivery platform that separates data and key delivery channels to mitigate brute-force, SSL scraping, PKI, and Shor's algorithm threats, positioning the firm in the emerging post-quantum cryptography market. The Social Media Influencing Engine (SMIE™) is an AI-powered narrative intelligence platform that uses NLP and algorithmic analysis to monitor, understand, and participate in online narratives. Additional proprietary solutions include Secure Wireless and a Telecommute Solution for distributed work environments.

Independent Software generates revenue primarily through labor- and deliverable-based federal prime and subcontract contracts with DoD, the Intelligence Community, and other agencies, complemented by commercial licensing of its proprietary products. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting government customers through competitive proposal processes, leveraging WOSB set-aside status and a veteran-heavy workforce with active security clearances. Thought leadership content — including a 2024 white paper on post-quantum cryptography within Zero Trust Architecture, blog content, and press releases — supports inbound demand generation alongside a dedicated recruiting function that positions talent attraction as a secondary demand channel. The company employs 11-50 people, does not publicly disclose financial metrics, and has no disclosed external funding rounds, indicating a bootstrapped, profitable operating model consistent with a privately held small federal contractor.

Name

Independent Software

Legal name

Independent Software, Inc.

Website

https://independentsoftware.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Independent Software, Inc. is a Woman-Owned Small Business founded in 2005, delivering IT services, cybersecurity, and proprietary products (QBit-Key™, SMIE™) primarily to U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Federal IT Services and Cybersecurity

NAICS

Software Publishers (513210), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid & Multi-Cloud Orchestration (Private-Cloud-Centric) (HDABABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Privacy-Preserving ML & Data Protection (e.g., federated learning, differential privacy) (HDAAAMAD), Confidential AI & Privacy-Preserving ML (federated learning, MPC, HE, TEEs) (HDAAAKAI)

Keywords

• Federal IT services
• Cyber operations
• Quantum-safe encryption
• Narrative intelligence
• Cloud infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellicott City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Federal Government IT Services: Independent Software generates the majority of its revenue through government contracts with the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and other federal agencies. Services include cyber operations, system engineering, software development, cloud computing, and infrastructure architecture. Revenue is derived from labor and deliverable-based contract structures on both prime and subcontract arrangements.
2. Commercial IT and Cyber Products: The company also develops and sells commercial IT and cyber products including QBit-Key™ (quantum-safe key delivery), the Social Media Influencing Engine (SMIE™), Secure Wireless solutions, and Telecommute Solutions. These proprietary product offerings provide a secondary revenue stream alongside services.
3. Quantum-Safe Product Licensing: QBit-Key™ is positioned as an enterprise-ready, deployable quantum-safe solution sold as an out-of-band symmetric key delivery platform, likely licensed to government and enterprise customers requiring quantum-resistant data protection.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Independent Software is a Woman-Owned Small Business that delivers federal IT services — including cyber operations, cloud computing, data science/AI/ML, enterprise software engineering, infrastructure engineering, software development, and managed services — primarily to the U.S. Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. The company also develops and licenses proprietary products, notably QBit-Key™ (quantum-safe key delivery) and the Social Media Influencing Engine (SMIE™) (AI narrative intelligence), alongside Secure Wireless and Telecommute solutions.

Product overview

Independent Software is a woman-owned small business founded in 2005, offering a dual product and services portfolio for federal government and select commercial customers. Their proprietary products include QBit-Key, a quantum-safe out-of-band symmetric key delivery platform for data protection, and the Social Media Influencing Engine (SMIE), an AI-powered narrative intelligence platform. These products are complemented by professional services spanning cyber security, data science/AI/ML, enterprise software engineering, cloud computing, infrastructure engineering, managed services, software development, system engineering, and computer network operations (CNO). The company primarily serves Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers, with a focus on national security missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QBit-Key™: Quantum-safe key delivery infrastructure providing out-of-band symmetric key delivery for data protection today and against future quantum computing threats.
• Social Media Influencing Engine (SMIE™)

Products and services

• Cyber Security Comprehensive cybersecurity services covering cyber defense, computer network operations (offensive/defensive cyber), cross-domain solutions, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, privacy/data protection (OMB 06-16/07-16, Privacy Act of 1974, PCI, HIPAA, NIST), and identity management/PKI for federal defense and intelligence customers.
• Computer Network Operations (CNO) Full-spectrum cyber solutions spanning computer network exploitation (CNE) with embedded development, OS development, and telecom/RF engineering, and computer network defense (CND) with vulnerability assessment, malware defense, and active defense solutions for government customers.
• Data Science & AI/ML Data science and artificial intelligence/machine learning services providing mission-critical analysis, machine learning, and insights for federal defense and intelligence customers.
• Enterprise Software Engineering Custom application development, agile development, web services, enterprise application integration, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and big data analytics solutions for federal agencies.
• Cloud Computing End-to-end cloud solutions including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), network access and provisioning (SDN, VPN), high-performance computing, storage solutions, and software development using Hadoop, MapReduce, Pig, and Hive for federal customers.
• Infrastructure Engineering and Architecture Design, build, deploy, and support services for complex global infrastructure and networks, including full lifecycle DevOps, system engineering, security solutions, virtualization, network design, high-performance computing, storage solutions, and system integration for federal customers.
• Managed Services Managed IT services providing ongoing infrastructure and operations support for federal customers.
• Software Development Full software development lifecycle services including high-level design, embedded and time-critical coding, web applications (RESTful services, .NET, Java/Spring/Hibernate), analytics, release engineering, and software support.
• System Engineering System engineering services including engineering, test and integration, embedded hardware systems design, and configuration support for changing requirements across federal programs.
• QBit-Key™ Proprietary out-of-band symmetric key delivery platform providing quantum-safe data protection. Separates data and key delivery channels so brute-force attacks become nearly impossible, and combines traditional inline key delivery with out-of-band delivery to harden encrypted channels against SSL scraping, PKI vulnerabilities, and quantum computing threats (Shor's algorithm). Compatible with existing network infrastructure and positioned for government and enterprise buyers.
• Social Media Influencing Engine (SMIE™) AI-powered narrative intelligence platform that monitors, analyzes, and enables participation in online conversations. Uses NLP and algorithmic analysis to uncover trends, themes, keywords, and amplification patterns, with capabilities spanning Listen (monitor sources/narratives at scale), Understand (AI analysis of trends), Communicate (strategic messaging at scale), and Analyze (deep narrative analysis and campaign effectiveness insight).
• Secure Wireless Secure wireless communication solution supporting government and commercial customers with hardened, trusted mobile and wireless capabilities for defense, intelligence community, and enterprise requirements.
• Telecommute Solution Remote work / telecommute solution designed to support secure, scalable distributed work environments for government and enterprise customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Secured a five-year, single award DoD prime contract for threat analysis and management, demonstrating ability to win large direct awards.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diverse Concepts, Inc. (DCi)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 January 2020Independent Software completed the acquisition of Diverse Concepts, Inc. (DCi) on January 2, 2020. DCi operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary and separate division of IndSoft. DCi is a woman-owned small business (WOSB) founded in 2002 that delivers secure, state-of-the-art information technology, cyber solutions, and engineering services. As an internal service provider, DCi deploys, maintains, and secures networks providing connectivity and interoperability for the intelligence community. DCi currently holds both DoD and Maryland State prime programs, supporting Fort Meade, DISA, and other DoD customers. The acquisition expanded Independent Software's range of scalable, cost-effective enterprisewide services and increased competitiveness for defense and intelligence community work.
• Ingram MicrominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIngram Micro logo appears in the Partners section. As a major technology distributor, Ingram Micro likely serves as a distribution channel for hardware and software products that Independent Software integrates into its solutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ECS Federal: ECS Federal is a mid-size federal IT and cyber services contractor serving DoD, intelligence, and civilian agencies — closely matching Independent Software's mix of cyber operations, cloud, and AI/ML work at similar scale.
• Pragmatics: Pragmatics is a woman-owned federal IT services contractor delivering application development, data analytics, and cyber solutions to DoD and IC customers — a like-for-like comparable on size, ownership profile, and mission mix.

Broad incumbents

• Peraton: Peraton provides federal IT, cyber, and intelligence services primarily to DoD, IC, and homeland security customers — overlapping Independent Software's threat analysis, CNO, and mission IT offerings.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Booz Allen Hamilton is a top-tier federal consulting and cyber contractor serving DoD and intelligence agencies — it competes for the same threat analysis and mission IT work that Independent Software targets, but operates at vastly greater scale.
• CACI International: CACI provides federal IT, cyber, and intelligence analysis services to DoD and IC customers — directly comparable to Independent Software's mission analytics and secure systems integration offerings.
• Leidos: Leidos is one of the largest federal defense and IT services contractors, with deep IC and DoD cyber portfolios that directly overlap Independent Software's threat analysis and secure systems engineering work.
• Parsons Corporation: Parsons provides defense and intelligence customers with cyber, infrastructure, and mission solutions — relevant comparable for Independent Software's federal cyber and infrastructure engineering work.
• ManTech International: ManTech is a mid-to-large federal IT and national security services contractor specializing in cyber, intelligence, and defense missions for DoD and IC customers — directly overlapping Independent Software's threat analysis and CNO work, though at much larger scale.
• SAIC: SAIC is a large systems integrator providing IT, cyber, and engineering services to DoD and Intelligence Community customers — competing head-to-head with Independent Software for IC and DoD cyber mission contracts.

Emerging players

• Quantum Xchange: Quantum Xchange offers quantum-safe cryptographic key distribution (Phio) for enterprise and government customers — the closest specialized competitor to Independent Software's QBit-Key product.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/independentsoft
• Facebookfacebook.com/independentsoftwareinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-software-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Independent Software