Data I/O Corporation
Enterprises continue their strategic commercial partnership as Data I/O brings embedded trust and secure delivery technology in-house to enable end-to-end security deployment from design to manufacturing
REDMOND, Washington and UPPSALA, Sweden, July 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data I/O Corporation (NASDAQ: DAIO) and IAR Systems AB (“IAR”) today jointly announced that Data I/O has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire IAR’s embedded software security IP and related assets. Financial terms of the transaction and expected timing were not disclosed.
The proposed acquisition builds directly on the companies’ February 2026 announcement of a technology collaboration that will unify security delivery from embedded design to manufacturing. With this transaction, Data I/O will bring the core technology underlying this collaboration – including the Embedded Trust and Secure Deploy platforms, the eSecIP toolchain, and the certificate authority and deployment infrastructure originally developed by IAR – in-house, while IAR and Data I/O continue their commercial partnership.
Full ownership of IAR’s embedded software security technology stack gives Data I/O direct control over the security deployment roadmap, device support and release cadence, enabling the company to expand its security offerings early in the design phase while continuing to serve customers through its industry-proven programming and deployment platforms. The acquisition expands our delivery platform by empowering engineers to design with security in mind rather than an afterthought. As Data I/O continues its transformation, this strengthens the company’s position as government regulations and industry standards – including the EU Cyber Resilience Act – increasingly require strict security measures for connected electronic products.
The EU Cyber Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/2847) is a comprehensive regulation that sets mandatory standards for cybersecurity and vulnerability management for almost all hardware and software products connected to a network. With full mandatory compliance for all products sold in the EU by December 2027, the law introduces lifecycle security requirements, CE marking, security by design standards, guaranteed security updates and includes strict Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) reporting.
The proposed transaction between Data I/O and IAR includes, among other things, software and source code, hardware, intellectual property, technical infrastructure, manufacturing equipment and certifications. Following closing, Data I/O will assume full responsibility for customer support for these products moving forward.
“This acquisition is a natural next step in our evolution into a highly valued supplier to the semiconductor supply chain,” said William Wentworth, President and CEO of Data I/O Corporation. “Our collaboration in February demonstrated how well IAR’s embedded software security technology fits with our programming and deployment platforms. As we advance our future deployment platform through the acquisition of the IP, the HSM design gives Data I/O the ability to integrate security deployment into our core platform, rather than having to integrate multiple third-party products. Secure deployment uses the same infrastructure as data deployment, an algorithm-based delivery system. Our data deployment platform is a natural extension of secure deployment. It makes adoption easy Sense of our roadmap and the ability to move faster.” customers, while our commercial partnership with IAR continues, offering customers the same integrated path from embedded design to high-volume, secure manufacturing. Together with our platform and programming-as-a-service strategy, this will provide Data I/O with a comprehensive, differentiated security delivery offering with strong regulatory tailwinds ahead of the EU Cyber Resilience Act.”
“We are pleased that our partner Data I/O is acquiring IAR’s embedded software security assets,” said Karin Schreil, Senior Vice President of BU IAR at Qt Group. “IAR acquired the portfolio in 2018 to integrate embedded software security into our offering, and many of our customers rely on this technology today. This transaction secures the future of technology and continuity for customers, with a partner well positioned to invest in it and grow its installed base, as we continue to focus and invest on what is core to IAR and Qt Group. Customers will receive continuity of the products they rely on today, supported by a partner who is fully committed dedicated to their long-term roadmap.”
The companies’ February 2026 collaboration – which integrates IAR’s embedded software security solution with Data I/O’s PSV programming systems to unify security delivery from design to production – continues unchanged through this transaction and remains a cornerstone of the joint offering to OEMs worldwide.
About IAR
IAR delivers world-leading embedded development software and services, enabling manufacturers worldwide to develop high-quality products. Our solutions help developers ensure reliability and efficiency throughout the entire development process in the automotive, industrial automation, IoT and medical technology industries.
Since 2025, IAR has been part of Qt Group (Nasdaq Helsinki: QTCOM), a global software company that is an industry leader and trusted by over 1.5 million developers worldwide to build applications and smart devices that users love. IAR operates as a business unit, strengthening its ability to provide comprehensive embedded systems solutions. To learn more, visit www.iar.com and www.qt.io.
Find out more at or www.qt.io.
About Data I/O Corporation
Since 1972, Data I/O has developed innovative solutions that enable the design and manufacture of electronic products for automotive, Internet of Things, medical, wireless, consumer electronics, industrial controls and other electronic devices. Today, our customers use data I/O security deployment and programming solutions to bring innovative new products to life reliably, securely, and cost-effectively. These solutions are supported by a global network of data I/O support and service experts, ensuring our customers’ success. For more information, visit www.dataio.com.
Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements and Data I/O Disclosure Information
The Company cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking measures include, among other things, the expected acquisition of assets and the associated benefits, including with regard to the EU Cyber Resilience Act, the expected cooperation with IAR to transfer the embedded software security assets to the company and the possibility of completing the transaction. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be viewed as a representation by the Company that its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including, but not limited to, market, market risks and other market conditions. and financing risks.
Factors that may affect the Company’s operations and finances include uncertainties regarding the ability to recognize revenue based on the timing of product shipments, market acceptance of Edge AI, shipping availability, installations and adoption, the emergence of expenses, coronavirus or other business interruptions, changes in economic conditions, parts shortages, business interruptions and other risks, including those described in the Company’s 10-K, 10-Q and other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), press releases and other risks described in communication.
Data I/O may use its website (www.dataio.com) and investor relations page (www.dataio.com/Company/Investor-Relations), his X account (@DataIO_Company) and his LinkedIn page (LinkedIn.com/company/data-io) to disclose material nonpublic information and comply with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors and other interested parties should monitor these websites in addition to following Data I/O’s press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, public conference calls and public presentations/webcasts.
Media contact for data I/O
Data I/O Corporation
Jennifer Higgins
Director of Corporate Marketing
higginj@dataio.com
+1-425-867-6922
Investor contact for data I/O
Darrow Associates, Inc.
Jordan Darrow
jdarrow@darrowir.com
+1-631-766-4528
Average contact IAR
Hanna Laurentz
Head of Corporate Communications
Hanna.laurentz@qt.io
https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/articles/data-o-proposes-acquire-embedded-110000289.html
