British chip manufacturer ARM Holdings has acquired Dutch company Offspark, which specialises in security software for Internet of Things devices, for an undisclosed amount.

Offsparks PolarSSL technology is already deployed in a wide range of IoT devices including modules for sensors and communication, as well as smartphones. The PolarSSL solution will form the core of ARMs communication security strategy, enabling developers using the companys Mbed platform to design and build IoT products with integrated security features.

While the PolarSSL will be rebranded as ARM Mbed TLS, the technology will remain open source and will be made available to developers for commercial use. The acquisition is indicative of the heightened focus on system and data security as IoT devices become more prevalent and involved in consumers day to day lives.

“We have always said that security must be the foundation of any IoT system and the acquisition of Offspark is evidence of us making that happen,” said Krisztian Flautner, general manager for IoT business at ARM. “PolarSSL technology is already deployed by the leading IoT players. The fact that those same companies also utilise ARM Cortex processor and software technologies means we are now able to provide a complete bedrock solution for the industry to innovate from.”