Cocon

Cocon Corporation, established in 2013 by Yasuhiro Kuratomi, operates primarily in the cybersecurity and AI/automation sectors. Kuratomi founded the company as a student entrepreneur after a previous business venture in Shanghai. Initially, the firm focused on providing graphics for social games through crowdsourcing. A pivotal shift occurred when the company identified a need for anti-fraud measures among its clients, leading to its entry into the cybersecurity market.

The company's business model is centered on providing advanced technology services and solutions. In the cybersecurity domain, Cocon offers security diagnostics and penetration testing for connected cars, IoT devices, mobile applications, and websites. This is bolstered by the expertise of its subsidiary, Ierae Security, which comprises top-tier white-hat hackers with accolades from global competitions. They also provide IoT security consulting and develop search engines for visualizing IoT devices. Another service, "WebMonitor," uses proprietary automated information gathering to monitor for data leaks.

In the AI and Automation field, Cocon collaborates with research institutions like Hokkaido University to provide solutions for improving productivity and operational efficiency. This includes demand forecasting and vehicle routing optimization. For the retail sector, they offer a SaaS product called "Price Search" for e-commerce price optimization. The company has pursued an aggressive M&A strategy to fuel its growth, acquiring several companies including Ierae Security in 2015 and Lepidum in 2016. In a strategic move to concentrate on its core strengths, Cocon absorbed its wholly-owned subsidiaries and rebranded as Ierae Security Co., Ltd. on January 1, 2022. Founder Yasuhiro Kuratomi transitioned to the role of Chairman, with Makoto Makita, founder of Ierae Security, becoming the new President and CEO.

Keywords: cybersecurity, AI automation, penetration testing, white-hat hackers, IoT security, security diagnostics, M&A strategy, information leakage monitoring, e-commerce price optimization, operational efficiency solutions, connected car security, Ierae Security, Yasuhiro Kuratomi, Makoto Makita, vulnerability assessment, SaaS, retail tech, network security, research and development, IT infrastructure security, data protection