Korean Fintech ATON Targets Global Expansion with Mobile Security Solution at Major Telecom Conference
Korean fintech security company ATON (co-CEOs Jong-seo Kim and Gill-soo Woo) announced May 29 its global expansion strategy with the mobile security solution 'DefendUs' at the GSMA-hosted 'M360 Eurasia 2025' conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, leveraging its successful partnerships with Korea's three major telecommunications operators as a foundation for international growth. DefendUs, which has been operating in Korea as the ‘Mobile Protection Service' through partnerships with SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+, represents a proven anti-smishing technology that provides real-time malicious link detection across SMS, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, and other messaging platforms. The solution's success in Korea's advanced telecommunications market positions ATON to pursue strategic partnerships with global telecom operators. The company's international debut comes at a critical time when mobile security threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. DefendUs addresses these challenges through its unique "detection-management-education" framework that continuously improves user security behavior patterns while providing comprehensive protection across both iOS and Android platforms. During the 'Power of Partnership' session at M360 Eurasia 2025 on May 22 (local time), Nam Tae-wook, Head of ATON's Service Business Division, emphasized how telecommunications operators' network infrastructure and user relationships create ideal conditions for delivering effective real-time security services. "Our successful collaboration with Korea's leading telecom operators demonstrates the power of partnership-based security solutions," Nam explained. The DefendUs platform distinguishes itself from traditional antivirus solutions by extending protection beyond applications to web browsing and social media interactions. Its innovative family notification feature enables real-time threat sharing among household members, particularly protecting digitally vulnerable populations. "DefendUs goes beyond simple detection to continuously improve users' security behavior patterns through a cyclical structure of 'detection-management-education,'" Nam said. "The family notification feature, which enables real-time sharing of threat situations among family members, plays a significant role in protecting digitally vulnerable populations." Modern smishing attacks have evolved to impersonate legitimate communications including government fines, package tracking notifications, congratulations, and obituaries, with tactics continuously adapted to exploit current social issues and seasonal events. ATON's solution addresses these sophisticated threats through AI-powered detection and real-time response capabilities. "Increasingly sophisticated mobile phishing crimes require close collaboration among telecommunications companies, financial institutions, government agencies, and security firms," Nam emphasized. "DefendUs facilitates this cooperation through shared threat intelligence, AI-driven analysis, and enhanced security protocols." Following its M360 presentation, ATON plans to establish partnerships with international telecommunications companies to expand DefendUs globally, building on the validation and operational experience gained through its Korean market success. M360 Eurasia 2025 is Central Asia's largest digital and telecommunications industry event, hosted by GSMA with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Digital Technologies as an official partner. The conference addressed key emerging technologies including generative AI, 5G networks, and cybersecurity solutions. 최지원 기자conference expansion major telecommunications mobile security telecommunications market
