IGEL Technology specializes in endpoint operating systems and management software designed for secure, efficient access to cloud workspaces, virtual desktops (VDI), and Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) environments. Pulse 2.0 interviewed IGEL Technology Field CTO John Walsh to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
John Walsh’s Background
What is John Walsh’s background? Walsh said:
“I attended Purdue University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. This background gave me a strong foundation in complex systems and problem-solving, which has been invaluable throughout my career in cybersecurity.”
“Over the years, I have worked across various aspects of cybersecurity, focusing on architectures and frameworks that support government, commercial, and critical infrastructure sectors. I’ve held leadership roles, including President, Chief Strategy Officer, CTO, and SVP of Strategy in both public and private companies. My work has centered on developing strategies that bridge innovation with real-world application, building teams, and ensuring organizations have the right security structures in place.”
“My experience spans a broad spectrum of security architectures, including secure endpoint-to-cloud solutions, IT/OT convergence, cyber resilience in critical infrastructure, and secure system architectures. Additionally, I have contributed to cybersecurity advancements through 14 patents, with more pending, and I actively serve on advisory boards focused on cybersecurity and resilience.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Walsh shared:
“I was introduced to IGEL through my connection with CEO Klaus Oestermann. After learning more about IGEL’s technology and vision, I quickly saw the impact and innovation potential the company brings to the industry. With my background in zero trust, cybersecurity, and endpoint security, I recognized a strong opportunity to contribute to IGEL’s growth.”
“As IGEL’s Field CTO, my role is to bridge the gap between customer needs and product strategy. I work closely with customers to understand their technical and business challenges, translating those insights into strategies that enhance our solutions and differentiate IGEL in the market. Additionally, I support the sales team in technical discussions and collaborate with product teams to drive innovation.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Walsh reflected:
“One of my favorite moments was attending IGEL Disrupt in Germany before I officially joined the company. Seeing firsthand how IGEL’s platform is transforming industries like healthcare gave me an “aha” moment about the potential impact we can make.”
“Another highlight has been working with IGEL’s incredible team. The culture of transparency, collaboration, and shared purpose has been inspiring, making it an exciting environment to be part of.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Walsh explained:
“IGEL provides a secure endpoint computing and management system, built on a Linux-based, read-only operating system designed for security, flexibility, and simplicity.”
“What sets IGEL apart is our unified management system, which allows organizations to centrally authenticate, configure, and manage endpoints while seamlessly integrating with a broad ecosystem of technology partners. This ensures organizations maintain security, compliance, and control over their endpoint environments.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges has Walsh and the team faced in building the company? Walsh acknowledged:
“One challenge in any new role is navigating internal structures and processes while aligning with existing teams and strategies. To get up to speed quickly, I prioritized active engagement with teams across the company, ensuring I understood where I could provide value and accelerate success.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Walsh noted:
“Since joining IGEL, I’ve seen our technology continue to evolve, particularly in response to emerging security challenges. One of the biggest advancements has been our focus on zero trust and endpoint security, ensuring our read-only OS and unified management system align with the latest cybersecurity frameworks.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Walsh cited:
“One major milestone was IGEL’s shift from a hardware-focused thin-client system to a software-driven platform about six years ago. This pivot allowed IGEL to focus on secure endpoint computing as the core value proposition.”
“Under Klaus Oestermann’s leadership, we’ve further expanded our focus on preventative security and secure compute at the edge. This has positioned IGEL as a key player in industries such as healthcare and critical infrastructure, where security is paramount.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Walsh about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“One of the most impactful projects I’ve been involved in is a zero-trust architecture initiative in the public sector. Working alongside key security partners, IGEL is demonstrating how its secure endpoint solutions fit into modern zero-trust requirements.”
“This project is significant because it validates IGEL’s ability to meet stringent security needs, providing real-world proof of our technology’s effectiveness. The credentials gained from this initiative are expected to open new opportunities for IGEL in regulated industries and government environments.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Walsh assessed:
“Currently, IGEL is serving a total addressable market in the hundreds of millions. However, with the growing success of our Preventative Security Modeland the advancements we’re making in areas like zero trust and IoT, we see our addressable market expanding into the multiple billions.”
“For instance, the secure services on the edge market, particularly with zero trust, is experiencing a 16% compounded annual growth rate, which positions the market at around $3 billion to $5 billion. As the connectivity landscape evolves with 5G and increasing cloud adoption, IGEL’s solution is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the edge and the cloud.”
“This expansion into connected environments, along with our secure and integrated solutions, is a key factor in the massive potential of the market. We are not only focusing on traditional IT devices but also on industries like building automation and process controls, where we can provide valuable solutions as connectivity and IoT continue to grow.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Walsh affirmed:
“IGEL’s secure, lightweight endpoint OS stands out due to its read-only design, ensuring a highly secure, centrally managed environment. Additionally, our hardware-agnostic approach allows organizations to deploy IGEL across various endpoint devices while integrating seamlessly with security and virtualization partners.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Walsh emphasized:
“IGEL’s vision is to continue expanding our partnerships and innovation in endpoint security. A key focus is advancing our Preventative Security Model, enabling organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture while simplifying endpoint management.”
“Ultimately, our goal is to become the go-to solution for organizations seeking a secure, flexible, and centrally managed endpoint computing platform.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Walsh concluded:
“IGEL Now & Next in Frankfurt is just around the corner! This event will bring together industry leaders from Microsoft, Audi, HP, Lenovo, Citrix, and Omnissa to discuss emerging trends in security, endpoint computing, and digital transformation. Here’s the full agenda.”
“For ongoing updates, IGEL’s website and blog offer great insights into customer success stories, best practices, and our evolving solutions.”
