Secunet acquires strongSwan open-source project
Cybersecurity firm secunet has acquired the strongSwan open-source project. strongSwan is a central component for IPsec encryption, widely used in VPN connections for secure data transfer.
German cybersecurity company secunet Security Networks AG has expanded its technology portfolio by acquiring the strongSwan open-source project. The acquisition agreement was signed at the end of May 2022, transferring the software's rights to secunet. strongSwan is a key implementation of the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocol, used for building IPsec-secured Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to protect data transmitted over the internet.
The strongSwan software has been a significant component in security solutions, including secunet's own SINA high-security solutions developed for the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). It is also widely used in consumer electronics, such as smartphones, where IP encryption plays a crucial role.
Previously managed by OST Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, strongSwan is generally distributed under the GPLv2 license. Secunet will continue to offer non-GPL licensing options (dual licensing) alongside maintenance and support contracts for its customers. The company emphasizes its commitment to open-source software, which includes its ongoing involvement with other prominent projects like the IPsec implementation in the Linux kernel.
Secunet actively participates in open-source communities, aiming to contribute its security technologies to open ecosystems. The company believes that open-source solutions provide transparency and facilitate certification processes with IT security authorities, benefiting both secunet and its clients.