What Cerberus Security Laboratories does

Cerberus Security Laboratories Ltd. was a Bristol, UK-based specialist consultancy (founded 2016, 1–10 employees, private limited company, registration #10444272) focused on embedded system and IoT product security. Its work spanned security design, implementation, and assessment for connected devices, with explicit expertise in hardware secure elements, side-channel and fault-injection attacks, secure boot, cryptographic acceleration, and secure key storage — capabilities rooted in embedded electronics rather than IT-only security.

The firm monetised through three streams: fixed-price security consultancy engagements (Connected Product Security Audits typically delivered in 2–4 weeks), bespoke security implementation services (custom ASIC/FPGA development, security firmware, cryptographic protocols with side-channel countermeasures, secure provisioning), and licensable proprietary technology including the CSL-ECA Elliptic Curve Accelerator (a high-speed configurable hardware IP for ECDSA, EdDSA, and ECDH on FPGA/ASIC) and the Hyperion RISC-V RV32IM security processor, plus supporting software libraries. Go-to-market was enterprise field sales targeting IoT product manufacturers (smart home, industrial, automotive, medical) and semiconductor companies, supplemented by silicon-vendor partner channels — Premier status with Microchip Technology, partner status with STMicroelectronics, and listing on the Digi-Key Design Services Provider marketplace — and thought-leadership content via a technical blog, email newsletter, and industry events.

Following its November 2022 acquisition by Codasip, Cerberus ceased to operate as an independent entity and now forms part of Codasip's RISC-V security offering; the company had previously been a founding member of the IoT Security Foundation and contributed to IEEE publications on embedded systems cybersecurity.

Name

Cerberus Security Laboratories

Legal name

Cerberus Security Laboratories Ltd.

Website

https://cerberus-laboratories.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cerberus Security Laboratories was a Bristol-based IoT and embedded system security consultancy (2016–2022) providing fixed-price security audits, implementation services, and proprietary hardware IP (CSL-ECA, Hyperion RISC-V) to IoT manufacturers and semiconductor companies, acquired by Codasip in November 2022.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IoT and Embedded Security Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Security & Trusted Hardware ICs (Secure Element/TPM/Crypto) (HDAHABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Secure Elements & Trusted Execution Processors (TPM/TEE/Crypto MCUs) (HDAHAJAK), Confidential Computing & Hardware-backed Protection (TEE/HSM) (HDADAFAJ), Secure Communications, Cryptography & Key Management Systems (IMABAOAK), Secure ICs, Smart Cards & Trusted Hardware (HDAHAAAJ)

Keywords

• Embedded security services
• IoT security consulting
• Hardware security design
• Cryptographic IP cores
• Security audit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Security Consultancy and Professional Services: Provides embedded system and IoT security engineering services including security design, implementation, and assessment for product manufacturers. Delivered as fixed-price engagements typically spanning 2-4 weeks.
2. Security Hardware IP and Products: Sale of proprietary security hardware IP blocks for FPGA/ASIC integration, hardware modules, and cryptographic accelerator products such as the CSL-ECA Elliptic Curve Accelerator.
3. Software Libraries: Sale of software libraries for accelerating IoT security implementation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cerberus Security Laboratories designs, implements, and assesses security for connected IoT and embedded products. It delivers fixed-price Connected Product Security Audits and bespoke security implementation services (custom ASIC/FPGA hardware, security firmware, cryptographic protocol implementation with side-channel countermeasures), and licenses proprietary security hardware IP cores such as the CSL-ECA Elliptic Curve Accelerator and the Hyperion RISC-V security processor.

Product overview

Cerberus Security Laboratories offers a portfolio of security-focused hardware IP cores and professional services. Core products include the CSL-ECA Elliptic Curve Accelerator (high-speed hardware IP for ECDSA, EdDSA, and ECDH cryptography on FPGA/ASIC) and the Hyperion RISC-V RV32IM security processor. The company provides security implementation services (custom ASIC/FPGA development, security firmware, cryptographic protocols) and consulting services including the Connected Product Security Audit for IoT manufacturers. Their products are designed to accelerate customer security projects and are offered alongside their consultancy engagements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSL-ECA: Cerberus Security Laboratories' Elliptic Curve Accelerator IP for FPGA and ASIC implementations, supporting cryptographic algorithms including ECDSA, EdDSA, and ECDH.
• Hyperion

Products and services

• CSL-ECA Elliptic Curve Accelerator High-speed configurable hardware IP for implementing elliptic curve-based cryptographic algorithms including ECDSA, EdDSA, and ECDH on FPGA and ASIC. Supports NIST prime curves, Curve25519, and Brainpool with keys up to configured numerical width. Targets IoT and embedded security projects requiring hardware-accelerated cryptography.
• Hyperion RISC-V Security Processor Custom 32-bit RV32IM class RISC-V security processor developed for embedded applications, with security hardening. Demonstrated in IoT reference designs including smart solar panel measurement and police health monitoring platforms.
• Connected Product Security Audit

Quantifiable outcome

• Assessments completed in 2-4 weeks at fixed price
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CodasipcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 10 November 2022Cerberus was acquired by Codasip in November 2022. Following the acquisition, Cerberus operates as part of Codasip, continuing to offer secure and customizable RISC-V processors. The acquisition was intended to boost RISC-V security through Cerberus's security expertise.
• Microchip TechnologycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCerberus is a Premier Microchip Security Design Partner providing security and implementation services for Microchip customers. Extensive experience with Cryptoauthentication hardware security chips including ATECC508A, ATECC608A, and ATSHA204A, including custom provisioning and communications configuration.
• STMicroelectronicscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCerberus is an ST Partner providing security and implementation services for STM32, ST33, and legacy digital SoC products. Has extensive knowledge of STMicroelectronics devices built over many years of collaboration.
• Digi-KeycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCerberus is a Digi-Key Design Services Provider, offering security-related electronic design, assessment and consultancy services to the broader electronic design and manufacturing community through Digi-Key's marketplace.
• IoT Security FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCerberus is a founding member of the IoT Security Foundation and has been actively involved with writing standards and promoting the need for security in IoT. Cerberus has contributed to best practice guidelines and the IoT Security Compliance Framework.
• UK Police FederationminorOthersCerberus provided technology to securely capture and communicate live health data during a demonstration of restraint techniques at a UK Police Federation conference, including heart rate, body temperature, and SpO2 monitoring using a RISC-V-based processor.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• NCC Group: NCC Group is a large cybersecurity services and software company covering hardware, embedded, and IoT security testing and consulting. Comparable to Cerberus's Connected Product Security Audit service line, though at far greater scale and breadth.
• Rambus: Rambus is a major silicon IP and chip provider whose Security Division offers hardware security IP cores (root of trust, crypto accelerators) for ASIC/FPGA integration. Directly comparable to Cerberus's CSL-ECA accelerator and Hyperion RISC-V security processor, but at substantially larger scale.
• Synopsys: Synopsys is a dominant EDA and semiconductor IP vendor offering security IP including cryptography, root of trust, and hardware security modules. Comparable to Cerberus's security IP licensing business, but operating at EDA-industry scale with an established licensing model.
• ARM (TrustZone): ARM provides TrustZone and other security IP integrated into its processor cores used widely in IoT and embedded devices. Comparable to Cerberus's Hyperion RISC-V security processor in addressing secure boot and trusted execution, but on the dominant incumbent architecture.

Direct peers

• Riscure: Riscure is a security lab specializing in side-channel analysis, fault injection, and embedded device security testing, plus security IP and tooling. Strongly comparable to Cerberus's audit and implementation services and its real-world attack research expertise.
• Cryptomathic: Cryptomathic provides cryptographic software, key management, and security consulting for connected devices and enterprise systems. Comparable to Cerberus's cryptographic implementation and security consulting services.
• Silex Insight: Silex Insight is a fabless security IP vendor offering cryptographic IP cores (AES, ECC, SHA, public key accelerators) for ASIC and FPGA, similar in scope to Cerberus's CSL-ECA Elliptic Curve Accelerator.
• Codasip: Codasip is the RISC-V processor IP company that acquired Cerberus in November 2022. While now the parent, Codasip's Studio and IP portfolio overlap directly with Cerberus's Hyperion RISC-V security processor in delivering customizable and secure RISC-V cores.

Emerging players

• Secure Thingz: Secure Thingz provides security solutions for embedded and IoT devices, including secure provisioning, secure boot, and supply chain protection, with focus on the Microchip/ARM ecosystem. Directly comparable to Cerberus's secure provisioning and firmware security implementation work.
• Trustonic: Trustonic provides hardware-backed security platforms and TEE solutions for connected devices, IoT, and automotive. Comparable to Cerberus's work on trusted execution and hardware-backed security for IoT products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CerberusLabs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cerberus-security-laboratories

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Cerberus Security Laboratories