IOnU Security Protects Privacy and Personal Data

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

New Product, Due This Summer, Promises a User-Friendly Solution

Privacy and data protection are huge issues in today's online world. Suppose a student away at college needs a parent's social security number for a financial transaction. It can be a challenge transmitting this sensitive information. Email, text, even a phone call - all these communications can be accessed by others, whether for marketing or more nefarious purposes. News stories about computer hacking and scams have multiplied lately, and identity theft remains a serious threat.

"The bad guys are outrunning the good guys," observes Clay Johnson, CEO of IOnU Security, a new Hacienda company aiming to deliver a solution to the challenges of electronic privacy. "The current means to protect personal or business information are not working," he continues. IOnU is developing technology that allows people to communicate and share information "invisibly, providing a level of privacy, convenience, and information protection previously not attainable."

With the product release slated for summer 2013, the start-up, which formally opened for business on February 22 of this year, is on an obvious fast track. "We have some smart people who work for us," Johnson comments.

IOnU's first software release will have benefits for both consumers and business. An executive with a smart phone containing personal and business information could be a target for competitors or foreign countries that want to know about strategy or intellectual property. "There has to be a way to ensure the privacy of an individual or a company's IP," Johnson stresses. "We're developing a technology to control, from the business and personal sides, what others can find out."

An existing revenue stream is generating funding for the newcomer. Johnson was formerly CEO of Hacienda-based CPU Tech, which was purchased by Boeing in February. As part of the acquisition, some portions of CPU Tech were spun off into IOnU. One of those segments supplies electronic systems for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle to BAE Systems. That technology is not related to what IOnU is doing here, but "it is where most of our revenue comes from," Johnson explains, noting that eventually those contracts will expire, so that business is finite.

By the time that happens IOnU should be well on its way to success. The company is initially targeting individual and small business users, a market that needs to be approached differently from the enterprise environment, Johnson points out. "We will target a broad set of users first, to make sure the technology is easy to use and easy to access."

Operating in semi-stealth mode, publicizing only a high-level overview, not details, of its new product, IOnU has an overall headcount of less than 20 employees, based in Hacienda, Campbell, and in Colorado.

As befits its low profile, the company's website, ionu.com, currently offers little more information on its products. However, the bold headline - "Become Invisible. Because your personal privacy and data are at risk..." - definitely invites visitors to stay tuned.

Photo: Clay Johnson, CEO of IOnU Security, is gearing up for a summer product release.

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