Bluefire Security Technologies

About Bluefire Security Technologies

Bluefire Security Technologies specialized in developing security software tailored for mobile and wireless handheld devices. The company's core focus was on protecting both the devices and the enterprise networks they connected to from various digital threats. Its flagship product, Bluefire Mobile Firewall Plus, was designed as a comprehensive security solution for handhelds, incorporating features like a personal firewall, intrusion prevention, integrity management, data encryption, and user authentication.

The firm catered to a broad range of mobile enterprises, including government agencies, healthcare organizations, and high-tech companies. A key aspect of Bluefire's strategy involved forming partnerships, such as the one with Certicom Corp. in 2003, to enhance the adoption of secure wireless technologies. This collaboration allowed Bluefire to integrate FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography, a standard for government security, thereby expanding its market reach to federal agencies. The business model appeared to be centered on direct sales and licensing of its software. For instance, a starter kit for its Bluefire Mobile Security Enterprise edition, which included the Enterprise Manager and 100 user licenses, was priced at $9,995 in 2008.

The company's technology provided centralized management capabilities, allowing administrators to enforce security policies, monitor device activity, and control devices remotely without interrupting the end-user. This was achieved through a rules-based personal firewall engine that resided on the device itself. Bluefire also offered a Software Development Kit (SDK) to enable enterprises and software integrators to embed secure remote access directly into their mobile applications. Throughout its operation, the company sought multiple rounds of financing to support its growth and was advised on legal and corporate matters by the law firm Nemphos Braue.