OTOPIQ launches AI-driven zero-trust OT security firm

OTOPIQ Security has launched as a new operational technology cybersecurity company following its acquisition of NanoLock Security, and plans global deployments of its industrial security platform with financial backing from Awz Ventures.

The company, headquartered in Jersey City, focuses on device-level protection for industrial control systems and other operational technology assets. It promotes an approach that moves away from tools that rely mainly on network traffic monitoring.

OTOPIQ said it builds on technology developed at NanoLock, along with new software and machine learning models. It uses these for automated security and equipment management in factories, infrastructure sites, ports, and hospitals.

The platform targets manufacturers and operators of critical infrastructure that run industrial control systems. These systems often sit at the core of production lines, logistics hubs and medical facilities, and have become a greater focus for attackers.

Device-level focus

OTOPIQ's software sits at the device level in operational environments. It monitors equipment behaviour, manages configurations and enforces security policies across industrial assets.

The company said its platform applies a zero-trust model to operational devices. It treats every device and instruction as untrusted by default and validates actions before it allows changes or operations.

It also said the system provides centralised visibility across connected, remote, and air-gapped devices. That covers assets from multiple vendors in a single view.

The launch comes as industrial operators adapt their security strategies for more connected environments. Many plants and facilities have linked operational networks to corporate IT systems and cloud services, increasing the potential attack surface.

OTOPIQ positions its approach as a supplement to existing network monitoring and post-incident detection tools. It focuses on preventing malicious or unsafe changes at the device level.

Backed by Awz

Awz Ventures, an investment firm that focuses on deep-tech and security technologies, has backed the new company. It acts as a strategic investor and holds the chairmanship of OTOPIQ.

Awz invests in technologies that can sit across commercial and defence markets. It has identified operational technology security as a growth area as more infrastructure operators upgrade ageing control systems.

Tamar Milstein, Chief Executive of OTOPIQ Security, said industrial operators faced a widening gap between the threats they see and their ability to manage complex environments.

"Manufacturers and critical infrastructure operators face a growing gap between rising OT cyber threats and their ability to manage these environments effectively. OTOPIQ bridges that gap with AI-driven, zero-trust protection that prevents downtime and cyber incidents before they occur. Our team combines deep OT expertise with advanced AI to secure operations at scale," said Milstein, CEO, OTOPIQ Security.

The company said it has built machine learning models that analyse each device's behaviour. It said this analysis supports more granular responses to anomalies or policy breaches.

David Assayag, Chief Technology Officer of OTOPIQ Security, said the models reflect years of work in operational environments.

"With years of OT research and our team's deep expertise, OTOPIQ Security has built AI models that don't just protect - they understand. By learning each device's unique behavior, our technology delivers precise, proactive protection that gives customers control, confidence, and operational value at a scale never possible before," said Assayag.

Market demand

The launch highlights a shift in industrial cybersecurity from perimeter and network-based defences toward asset-centric strategies. This shift responds to attacks that directly target programmable logic controllers, sensors, and other field devices.

Many industrial sites still operate equipment that pre-dates modern security standards. These assets often run continuously and have long lifecycles, which reduces operators' ability to patch or replace them quickly.

Vendors in the sector have been developing technologies that sit alongside or on top of legacy equipment. These tools monitor configurations and block unauthorised changes while keeping production running.

Investors who back operational technology security firms often look for products that support different types of industrial hardware. They also look for systems that industrial engineers and plant managers can operate without specialist security training.

Awz Ventures General Partner Ran Bar Or said the new company's platform targets a wide range of operational risks, not only cyber incidents.

"OTOPIQ's platform addresses the full spectrum of OT challenges, from cybersecurity to operational continuity, in a way no traditional solution can. We rerecognisedts unique approach and are proud to support its expansion into new markets," said Bar Or.

OTOPIQ said it expects its platform to enter production deployments by the end of 2025 across manufacturing sites, ports and hospitals in several regions. It plans to work with partners and customers worldwide as it rolls out its operational technology security and management software.