What AnchorZ does

AnchorZ Inc. (株式会社AnchorZ / アンカーズ) is a Tokyo-headquartered Japanese cybersecurity software company founded in April 2009 by Masaaki Tokuyama. The company develops and sells a proprietary continuous multi-factor authentication platform under the DZ Security® family, built around a core technology called Background Authentication (バックグラウンド認証®). This technology integrates face, voice, and behavioral biometrics — including device tilt, accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS/WiFi/BLE location, screen-to-eye distance, and usage timing — and verifies user identity continuously throughout a session, entirely on the user's device with no server-side data storage. The platform is protected by 39 granted international patents (Japan, USA, China) plus 60+ pending applications as of July 2024, with the underlying Two-Dimensional Dynamic Fusion algorithm peer-validated at IEEE IJCB 2023. The product portfolio includes DZ Security (core brand), DZ Pass (Windows PC security utility paired with smartphone), DZ Browser (mobile web app), DZ Intelligent ID (dynamic per-session identity key), DZ IAP (cross-enterprise identity-sharing platform), the Analyca SDK (latest-generation engine), DZ Cloud (encrypted distributed file storage), DZ Link (browser extension and Windows app auto-login), and Hands-Free Smartphone Authentication via DZ Sync Trust Mode. AnchorZ also operates CalPush, a separate calendar-based digital-marketing tool.

The company generates revenue primarily through annual and monthly software subscription licensing of the DZ Security suite, SDK licensing (including the Analyca SDK) for third-party integration, and commissioned development and IT consulting services. Pricing is quote-based rather than publicly listed. The go-to-market is consultative enterprise field sales via a dedicated sales department ([email protected]), supplemented by two channel partners — CANNAC Inc. for domestic Japanese distribution and Enobyte GmbH for European markets — and supported by content marketing (corporate website, case studies, social media), industry events (ACM MobiSys 2024, CEATEC, TechCrunch Disrupt), and earned media coverage including Nikkei and Denki Shimbun. Target segments span financial services and banking (primary vertical, anchored by Kiraboshi Bank's 5,000+ employee DZ Pass deployment), government and public sector (City of Yokohama), enterprise IT security (horizontal), entertainment and ticketing (Ticket Plus), and hardware/IoT integration (MIWA LOCK smart locks). Key technology and capital partners include ARM Ltd. (UK), Rikei Corporation (TSE-listed, third-party allocation Dec 2023), ZenmuTech Inc. (TSE-listed, 2024 partnership), KTK Solutions (July 2025 cloud-email-security integration), and DENSO WAVE (facial-recognition SQRC integration). The company holds self-attested GDPR compliance through its serverless, on-device-only architecture.

Name

AnchorZ

Legal name

株式会社AnchorZ

Website

https://anchorz.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AnchorZ is a Tokyo-based Japanese cybersecurity company that develops proprietary continuous multi-factor authentication technology called Background Authentication, sold via subscriptions, SDK licensing, and consulting to financial institutions, government, and enterprises across Japan and select international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Identity & Access Management Software (Biometric Continuous Authentication)

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Single Sign-On (SSO) & Federation (SAML/OIDC, Identity Providers) (HDAEAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Identity Verification & Digital ID (IDV, eIDAS, biometrics) (FSAGAFAA), Email Authentication & Domain Protection (DMARC/SPF/DKIM) (HDADAKAC)

Keywords

• Continuous authentication software
• Biometric identity verification
• Passwordless authentication
• Multi-factor authentication
• Identity access management

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

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. Software Licensing (DZ Security / DZ Pass / DZ Browser): AnchorZ licenses its DZ Security suite as annual or monthly subscriptions, and as SDK packages. Products include DZ Pass (PC security utility), DZ Browser (web app), DZ IAP (platform), and the Analyca SDK for integration into third-party apps. Pricing is quote-based; the company states both annual and monthly license options are available. Custom development and commissioned development services are also offered.
2. SDK / Development Kit Licensing: The company provides its Background Authentication technology as a software development kit (SDK) for integration into third-party applications. The Analyca SDK represents the latest version of this offering. SDKs are available for smartphone platforms and Windows environments.
3. Commissioned Development and IT Consulting: In addition to its proprietary product sales, AnchorZ offers commissioned development and IT consulting services, as stated in its corporate description of business activities.
4. CalPush: CalPush is a separate digital marketing tool that automatically registers corporate event information into users' smartphone calendars. It represents a secondary product line generating revenue through service subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AnchorZ develops and licenses proprietary "Background Authentication" software under the DZ Security brand, continuously verifying user identity via fused face, voice, and behavioral biometrics processed entirely on-device. Its commercial products include DZ Pass (Windows PC security utility with smartphone pairing for passwordless SSO), DZ Browser (mobile web app with embedded authentication), DZ IAP (cross-enterprise identity platform), and the Analyca SDK for third-party app integration. A separate CalPush product provides calendar-based digital marketing.

Product overview

AnchorZ's product portfolio is organized around the DZ Security core brand — a family of products centered on the proprietary 'バックグラウンド認証 (Background Authentication)' technology. The core technology integrates face, voice, and behavioral biometrics processed entirely on-device (serverless) to continuously verify user identity without login steps. The main product line includes: DZ Security (brand umbrella), DZ Pass (Windows PC security utility with smartphone pairing), DZ Browser (mobile web app with embedded authentication), Hands-Free Smartphone Authentication (DZ Sync Trust Mode for pocket-auth scenarios), Analyca SDK (the latest-generation authentication engine), DZ Intelligent ID (dynamic per-session identity key), DZ IAP (cross-enterprise identity platform enabling service-to-service identity sharing), DZ Cloud (encrypted file distribution across multiple cloud providers), DZ Link browser extension (Chrome/Edge SSO automation), DZ Link app auto-login (Windows application SSO customization). A separate product, CalPush, serves calendar-based event marketing use cases unrelated to the authentication platform. All authentication products share the common foundations of background continuous verification, serverless processing, and multi-biometric fusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DZ Security®: 世界で唯一のバックグラウンド認証®技術を活用した革新的な本人認証システム。複数の生体情報（顔・声・ふるまい）を統合し、ログイン不要ながらも安全な本人認証を実現。
• DZ Pass
• Analyca
• DZ Intelligent ID®
• DZ IAP®（DZ Intelligent Access Platform®）
• CalPush
• DZ Browser
• DZ Link
• DZ Sync Trust Mode™
• DZ Cloud

Products and services

• DZ Security Overarching DZ Security product family brand for AnchorZ's Background Authentication technology, providing continuous, multi-biometric identity verification across smartphones, tablets, and PCs without requiring traditional login steps. Integrates face, voice, and behavioral data processed entirely on-device. Sold to enterprises across banking, government, manufacturing, and entertainment.
• DZ Pass Windows PC security utility that pairs with a smartphone running DZ Security to provide passwordless auto-login and continuous PC monitoring. Supports three modes (Std with smartphone, Lite without smartphone, Windows Standard), plus features such as auto sign-in, auto-lock on user absence, shoulder-surfing detection, third-party detection, and optional SSO and ADMS centralized management. Sold to enterprise customers including Kiraboshi Bank, ANA Systems, and Pronexus.
• DZ Browser Mobile web application (Android/iOS) embedding AnchorZ's Background Authentication engine directly in the browser, enabling passwordless and continuously authenticated access to web services without requiring native app development. Automatically logs users into multiple web services after a single background verification, with no ID/password stored anywhere.
• Analyca SDK Latest-generation Background Authentication SDK (ANALYtical Context Aware Integrated Authentication Engine) integrating multiple biometric modalities (face, voice) with contextual environmental data (GPS, WiFi, BLE, accelerometer, gyroscope) to generate a dynamic, user-specific authentication profile. Capable of distinguishing identical twins via behavioral fingerprints. Serverless, edge-only processing. Licensed to software developers and enterprise IT teams for integration into third-party applications.
• DZ IAP (Intelligent Access Platform) Cross-enterprise identity platform enabling authorized information sharing between DZ Security-enabled services. Uses DZ Intelligent ID as a verified identity token, allowing users to move across different companies' apps and services without re-registration while maintaining continuous identity assurance.
• CalPush Digital marketing tool that allows companies to register event information directly into users' smartphone calendars. A separate consumer-facing product from DZ Security, serving calendar-based event-notification and digital marketing use cases.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost reduction of approximately 90% vs. thin-client environment (1/10 cost) for enterprise PC security deployment
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability10 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 株式会社ケイティケイソリューションズ (KTK Solutions Co., Ltd.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2025AnchorZ and KTK Solutions signed a technology partnership agreement on July 14, 2025 to integrate Background Authentication into KTK Solutions' cloud-based email security service '@Securemail Plus'. The partnership targets passwordless, strong authentication for webmail login and file downloads, real-time session impersonation prevention, and secure remote work communication — combining AnchorZ's continuous authentication with KTK's email security platform.
• 株式会社ZenmuTech (ZenmuTech Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024AnchorZ and ZenmuTech announced a technical partnership in 2024 to integrate Background Authentication with ZenmuTech's 'ZENMU Virtual Drive (ZEE)' — a secret sharing-based data protection solution. The combined solution provides both continuous identity verification (AnchorZ) and data encryption/fragmentation (ZenmuTech), targeting enterprise security in FAT environments, government, finance, manufacturing, and education sectors. ZenmuTech is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities Code: 338A).
• ARM Ltd (England)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2019AnchorZ entered a partnership with ARM Ltd (Cambridge, UK) in August 2019 after being selected (one of only 4-6 startups globally) to present at ARM's annual APM (ARM Partner Meeting) ML Dinner, where DZ Security was chosen for a session presentation. ARM's CEO Simon Segars endorsed DZ Security as a 'brilliant idea'. The partnership aims to embed DZ Authentication into ARM's chip ecosystem, enabling Background Authentication to run natively on ARM-based devices. ARM went public on NASDAQ in September 2023. AnchorZ is listed in ARM's partner ecosystem catalog.
• 株式会社カナック (CANNAC Inc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCANNAC Inc. is AnchorZ's authorized domestic Japanese sales agent, responsible for reselling and distributing AnchorZ products within Japan. As the primary domestic channel partner, CANNAC handles sales outreach to Japanese enterprise customers.
• Enobyte GmbH (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnobyte GmbH, based in Germany, serves as AnchorZ's overseas sales agent, promoting and distributing AnchorZ products in European markets. It is the primary international channel partner outside of direct sales.
• 株式会社デンソーウェーブ (DENSO WAVE Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchorZ was selected as a co-creation partner in DENSO WAVE's OPEN INNOVATION PROJECT 2022. At the DEMO DAY, AnchorZ demonstrated a collaboration with DENSO WAVE's facial recognition 'SQRC' to create the highest-level security system combining continuous background authentication with hardware facial recognition gates. The partnership was showcased at DENSO's Open Innovation events in 2023.
• 美和ロック株式会社 (MIWA LOCK Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIWA LOCK partnered with AnchorZ to enable smart lock access using DZ Pass. When a user's smartphone, continuously authenticated via DZ Security, is brought near the smart lock, the lock unlocks for the authenticated user only — enabling keyless, secure physical access.
• 株式会社ラック (LAC Co., Ltd.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchorZ and LAC (cybersecurity firm) co-presented at the Multimedia Promotion Forum in November 2023 on the theme of 'New Authentication Technology Realizing Password-Free Digital Systems and AnchorZ-LAC Partnership'. The collaboration combines AnchorZ's continuous authentication with LAC's security expertise.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HYPR: HYPR provides passwordless multi-factor authentication using FIDO2/passkeys and biometric verification, eliminating passwords for enterprise workforces. It is a direct peer in the passwordless, biometric MFA space, competing for similar enterprise IT security budgets with comparable deployment patterns.
• Transmit Security: Transmit Security offers a passwordless identity and authentication platform combining biometric verification, risk analytics, and orchestration for enterprise CIAM and workforce use cases. It competes directly with AnchorZ in the passwordless and continuous authentication category, with broader enterprise identity orchestration capabilities.
• Nok Nok Labs: Nok Nok Labs is a founding member of the FIDO Alliance and provides FIDO-based authentication SDKs and platform solutions for passwordless authentication. It is a direct peer in the biometric/passwordless authentication space, with a similar SDK-distribution model and enterprise customer focus.
• BioCatch: BioCatch is a behavioral biometric authentication company focused on continuous fraud detection by analyzing user behavior patterns (mouse, touch, device interaction). It is the most direct competitor to AnchorZ's continuous behavioral authentication approach, serving banks and financial institutions globally with similar value propositions.
• BehavioSec (LexisNexis Risk Solutions): BehavioSec (acquired by LexisNexis Risk Solutions) provides behavioral biometric authentication using device interaction patterns for continuous fraud detection. It is one of the closest direct peers to AnchorZ in continuous behavioral biometric authentication, particularly for banking and financial services customers.

Broad incumbents

• NEC Corporation: NEC is a major Japanese technology conglomerate with a leading biometric authentication business (NeoFace facial recognition) serving government, banking, and public safety markets. It is a broad incumbent competitor in Japanese biometric identity markets, with much larger scale than AnchorZ but less focus on continuous authentication.
• IDEMIA: IDEMIA is a global identity and biometric security provider offering facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, and identity verification solutions across government and enterprise markets. It is a broad incumbent in biometric authentication and competes with AnchorZ in government and financial services identity use cases.
• Okta: Okta is a leading cloud-based identity and access management platform providing SSO, MFA, and lifecycle management for enterprises. It is a broad incumbent in the IAM/SSO category that overlaps with AnchorZ's DZ Pass SSO and DZ Link capabilities, though Okta focuses on point-in-time rather than continuous authentication.
• Fujitsu Limited: Fujitsu is a major Japanese IT vendor offering palm vein biometric authentication (PalmSecure) and enterprise identity solutions widely deployed in Japanese banks and government. It competes with AnchorZ in Japanese enterprise and public sector authentication, with stronger distribution but less focus on continuous post-login verification.
• Microsoft (Windows Hello / Entra ID): Microsoft provides biometric authentication via Windows Hello and identity management via Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), embedded directly into Windows and Office ecosystems. As AnchorZ's DZ Pass explicitly integrates with Windows Hello, Microsoft is both a partner and the dominant competitive incumbent at the OS level for enterprise PC authentication.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/anchorz3
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpjQEyWQfs3W6QQa8GAbtGA
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 AnchorZ