Tempered is a technology company.
Tempered has raised $54.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Tempered has raised $54.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Tempered has raised $54.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Tempered's investors include Altair Capital Management, Ballast Point Ventures, B Capital Group, Correlation Ventures, DNX Ventures, IDG Ventures, Ignition Partners, Alexander Rosen, Ridge Ventures, Thayer Ventures, Erik Blachford, Vivek Garipalli.
Tempered Networks (often referred to as Tempered) is a cybersecurity company that builds zero trust networking solutions, primarily the Airwall platform, to secure operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) infrastructure.[1][2][3][4][5] It serves businesses reliant on critical infrastructure—such as manufacturing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare—solving the problem of cyber threats like remote and lateral attacks by enabling simple network segmentation, secure remote access, and identity-based connectivity without complex firewall upgrades or infrastructure overhauls.[1][3][4][5] Founded in 2012 and based in Lynnwood, Washington, the company raised $57.24M before being acquired by Johnson Controls in June 2022, demonstrating strong growth in the critical infrastructure security market.[1][2][4]
The Airwall solution uses an Identity Defined Networking (IDN) architecture with unidirectional gateways, end-to-end encryption, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to make assets "un-hackable" by rendering them invisible to unauthorized parties and enforcing policy based on cryptographic machine identities rather than spoofable network addresses.[3][4][5] This approach eliminates the "fatal flaw" in traditional firewalls, accelerating digital transformation while reducing operational costs.[3]
Tempered Networks was founded in 2012 in Lynnwood, Washington, initially as Asguard Networks, focusing on cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.[1][2] Key leadership includes Jeff Hussey, President and CEO, a serial entrepreneur who previously co-founded F5 Networks (an S&P 500 application delivery leader) and Lockdown Networks (acquired by McAfee in 2008); his background in networking and security shaped the company's pioneering Airwall technology.[3] The idea emerged from addressing IIoT vulnerabilities, where traditional networks failed against evolving threats like lateral movement post-breach, leading to a purpose-built zero trust overlay that fixes firewall limitations.[1][3]
Early traction came from proving the Airwall's simplicity in micro-segmentation and secure connectivity, attracting $57.24M in funding and culminating in its acquisition by Johnson Controls on June 23, 2022, integrating it into a major player's portfolio for global scaling.[1]
Tempered rides the zero trust and OT cybersecurity wave, driven by rising IIoT adoption, ransomware targeting critical infrastructure (e.g., utilities, manufacturing), and regulatory mandates for segmentation.[1][3][5] Timing is ideal post-2022 acquisition by Johnson Controls, aligning with market forces like supply chain attacks and hybrid work, where traditional perimeter security fails—projected OT cyber market growth amplifies this.[1] It influences the ecosystem by simplifying IDN for non-IT experts, enabling faster digital transformation and setting standards for "un-hackable" infrastructure, competing with firms like Nozomi Networks and Waterfall Security while integrating into enterprise giants.[1][4]
Post-acquisition, Tempered's Airwall will likely expand within Johnson Controls' portfolio, targeting global critical infrastructure with enhanced AI-driven threat insights and cloud-native features.[1][5] Trends like AI-enhanced OT threats, 5G/IIoT proliferation, and stricter regulations (e.g., NIST zero trust) will propel growth, evolving its influence toward embedded solutions in smart buildings and industrial edges. As cyber risks escalate, Tempered exemplifies how identity-first networking fortifies the "fatal flaw" in legacy systems, positioning it as a cornerstone for resilient digital infrastructure.[3][5]
Tempered has raised $54.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $17.0M Venture Round in May 2019.