Why we invested in Steryon
Redefining how industrial operators tackle cybersecurity risk
At Abac Nest Ventures, we back technical founders building the next generation of enterprise software. In Steryon, we saw a rare alignment: a strong technical team tackling a highly relevant but underserved problem in industrial cybersecurity.
The OT Cybersecurity Landscape
Operational Technology (OT) systems, which control factories, utilities, and critical infrastructure, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity risks. Initially designed for closed, offline environments, these systems are now connected to cloud services, remote interfaces, and IT networks. That shift brings efficiency, but also significant vulnerabilities.
Most OT environments are built on legacy hardware and protocols, often without the visibility, staffing, or tools to manage modern threats. Security incidents in these settings can cause real-world disruptions, and regulators are responding accordingly.
Frameworks like NIS2, IEC 62443, and ISO 27001 are raising the bar, requiring operators to assess, document, and mitigate cyber risk at a much higher standard. Many organizations are still catching up.
The Case for Industrial Cybersecurity
The traditional approach to OT security, periodic audits, disconnected tools, and reactive mitigation, no longer works. As industrial systems become increasingly connected and regulated, organizations require more integrated and proactive solutions.
In our view, the winning platforms in this space will be:
Purpose-built for industrial use
Able to integrate with existing systems
Designed to deliver value to both security and operations teams
Focused not only on visibility, but also on decision-making and execution
This is the context in which we met Steryon.
Market Context
The global OT cybersecurity market is estimated at over $20B, growing at more than 15% CAGR, with mid-sized industrial players facing especially acute pressure. They must meet the same regulatory standards as large enterprises, but often with leaner teams and fewer internal tools.
The market is shifting from fragmented solutions to more unified platforms, which combine asset visibility, compliance automation, and guided remediation.
In parallel, we’re seeing growing M&A activity, as larger security and industrial software vendors look to expand into the OT sector. We believe modular, AI-driven platforms like Steryon are well placed to lead this new phase of the category.
Steryon: A Comprehensive Approach to OT Cybersecurity
Steryon is a purpose-built platform for Cyber Resilience and Risk Management in industrial environments. It helps industrial companies operationalize cybersecurity by integrating it seamlessly into daily operations. The platform provides tailored visibility, risk management, and policy enforcement for OT and ICS environments, without disrupting productivity.
Steryon brings together asset-level visibility, dynamic compliance alignment, and actionable remediation into a unified interface. It integrates with existing infrastructure, firewalls, SIEMs, and identity platforms, consolidating security data across both IT and OT layers.
Designed to translate complex security requirements into understandable, actionable workflows, Steryon empowers plant operators, engineers, and security teams alike. Real-time risk scoring, automated mapping to frameworks such as NIS2, ISO 27001, and IEC 62443, and prioritized remediation guidance all help teams transition from reactive defense to proactive governance.
This isn’t just another security product. It’s a solution grounded in frontline experience, built by people who’ve secured the systems that keep the world running.
Founders with Domain Expertise and Credibility
Steryon was founded by Maria Taberna, a seasoned engineer with deep experience in industrial cybersecurity. As a driving force behind Oylo, later acquired by Rockwell Automation, she went on to lead global cybersecurity initiatives, designing and deploying programs across complex, regulated environments. Her blend of technical depth and operational leadership defines Steryon’s pragmatic approach to securing industrial systems.
MarÃa is joined by a team that brings complementary expertise from both the cybersecurity and industrial sectors, including former CISOs and OT security specialists. Among them is Eduardo Di Monte, who brings valuable perspective from his time leading security at Agbar, part of the Suez group, and as former CEO and founder of Oylo.
Our Investment: Empowering industrial operators to act on cyber risk
At Abac Nest, we back technical founders building software for complex, high-impact sectors. Our background at Abac Capital, investing in and supporting mid-market industrial companies across Europe, provides us with a unique perspective on what these organizations need, how they make purchasing decisions, and how to facilitate genuine adoption.
Steryon fits that profile. It’s not just another cybersecurity tool. It’s a platform built for the specific needs of the industrial mid-market, one that understands the environment, speaks the language, and focuses on execution.
Looking Ahead
Industrial systems are becoming increasingly connected, more heavily regulated, and more vulnerable to exposure. Steryon is helping companies navigate that shift, not by adding more noise, but by giving them control, clarity, and structure.
To Maria, Eduardo, and the entire team: welcome to the Abac Nest family.