[Interview]

Q. What were the reasons for expanding overseas? 

In the early 2000s, when PIOLINK began its business, the global telecommunications market was rapidly growing due to the establishment of high-speed internet infrastructure and network advancement, leading to a significant increase in IT infrastructure equipment adoption. At that time, the company succeeded in localizing the advanced network product ADC, and gained recognition for its technology by increasing its market share in the domestic market, which was dominated by foreign products, and competing with global companies. While seeking to expand overseas, PIOLINK decided to expand its business to Japan, where IT investment was active, and established a Japanese branch in 2004. Subsequently, we expanded our exports with security products like web firewalls, and currently, we are performing well in the Japanese market with our security switch and security AP, 'TiFRONT', which combines cloud management and network security.

The reason PIOLINK was able to expand into the security market based on its network technology was that the application layer it dealt with was a highly advanced network area that required simultaneous understanding and performance support of both network and application, making the expansion to security a natural progression. Global network companies like Cisco and F5 also started with networks and then expanded into security.

Q. Can you introduce your main export products?

Currently, the main export product is 'TiFRONT,' a 'cloud-managed wired and wireless network,' which consists of a security switch, security AP, and a cloud integrated management system. TiFRONT adds security functions to switches and APs (access points) that communicate closest to user devices, controlling unauthorized device access and blocking various attack traffic to protect wired and wireless communication and internal networks. Especially, it allows integrated management of installation, operation, fault response, and security monitoring from the cloud, making it easy to centrally manage multiple sites. Even in case of replacements or faults, it can be handled remotely instead of requiring an engineer's visit, allowing for quick complaint resolution and cost savings. This type of cloud network management is gaining attention due to Japan's social phenomena such as aging population, high wages, work-life balance, and the geographic characteristics of Japan being a long island country.

Q. What are your future plans?

Growth in both the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets requires collaboration with various security solution companies to overcome the limitations of single products. By building an integrated security platform with excellent domestic security companies and providing solutions that meet market demands, PIOLINK plans to further strengthen its position in both markets. Additionally, as the chair company of the Korea Information Security Industry Association(KISIA), PIOLINK will take the lead for excellent K-Security products to open Japanese markets by utilizing its established supply chain.

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