BIO-key and Runlevel Secure First Major IAM Deployment with a National Bank in Mozambique; Extends Growing List of Banking Customers
BIO-key International (NASDAQ: BKYI) has announced a strategic partnership with Runlevel, a cybersecurity solutions provider, to expand its Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions in Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste. The partnership has already secured its first major customer - a National Bank in Mozambique, which will implement BIO-key's biometric-based IAM solutions including PortalGuard On-Prem with Multi-factor Authentication and Single Sign-On capabilities.
As part of BIO-key's Channel Alliance Partner program, Runlevel will serve as a Value-Added Reseller, providing pre-sales consulting, deployment support, and technical training tailored to local regulatory requirements. This partnership marks BIO-key's strategic expansion into Portuguese-speaking markets and strengthens its position in the global financial sector.
BIO-key International (NASDAQ: BKYI) ha annunciato una partnership strategica con Runlevel, fornitore di soluzioni di cybersecurity, per espandere le sue soluzioni di Identity and Access Management (IAM) nei paesi africani di lingua portoghese (PALOP) e a Timor Est. La collaborazione ha già ottenuto il suo primo importante cliente: una banca nazionale in Mozambico, che implementerà le soluzioni IAM biometriche di BIO-key, tra cui PortalGuard On-Prem con autenticazione multifattoriale e Single Sign-On.
Come parte del programma Channel Alliance Partner di BIO-key, Runlevel agirà come rivenditore a valore aggiunto, offrendo consulenza pre-vendita, supporto all'implementazione e formazione tecnica adattata alle normative locali. Questa partnership segna l'espansione strategica di BIO-key nei mercati di lingua portoghese e rafforza la sua posizione nel settore finanziario globale.
BIO-key International (NASDAQ: BKYI) ha anunciado una alianza estratégica con Runlevel, proveedor de soluciones de ciberseguridad, para ampliar sus soluciones de Gestión de Identidad y Acceso (IAM) en los países africanos de habla portuguesa (PALOP) y Timor Oriental. La alianza ya ha asegurado su primer cliente importante: un banco nacional en Mozambique, que implementará las soluciones IAM biométricas de BIO-key, incluyendo PortalGuard On-Prem con autenticación multifactor y capacidades de inicio de sesión único.
Como parte del programa Channel Alliance Partner de BIO-key, Runlevel actuará como un distribuidor de valor añadido, ofreciendo consultoría previa a la venta, soporte en la implementación y formación técnica adaptada a los requisitos regulatorios locales. Esta alianza representa la expansión estratégica de BIO-key en los mercados de habla portuguesa y fortalece su posición en el sector financiero global.
BIO-key International (NASDAQ: BKYI)는 사이버보안 솔루션 제공업체인 Runlevel과 전략적 파트너십을 체결하여 포르투갈어 사용 아프리카 국가(PALOP) 및 동티모르에서의 신원 및 접근 관리(IAM) 솔루션을 확장한다고 발표했습니다. 이 파트너십은 이미 모잠비크의 한 국립은행을 첫 주요 고객으로 확보했으며, 해당 은행은 BIO-key의 생체 인식 기반 IAM 솔루션인 PortalGuard On-Prem을 다중 인증 및 싱글 사인온 기능과 함께 도입할 예정입니다.
BIO-key의 채널 얼라이언스 파트너 프로그램의 일환으로 Runlevel은 부가가치 재판매업체로 활동하며, 현지 규제 요건에 맞춘 사전 판매 컨설팅, 배포 지원 및 기술 교육을 제공할 것입니다. 이번 파트너십은 BIO-key가 포르투갈어권 시장으로 전략적으로 확장하는 계기가 되며 글로벌 금융 부문에서의 입지를 강화합니다.
BIO-key International (NASDAQ: BKYI) a annoncé un partenariat stratégique avec Runlevel, fournisseur de solutions de cybersécurité, afin d’étendre ses solutions de gestion des identités et des accès (IAM) dans les pays africains lusophones (PALOP) et au Timor-Leste. Ce partenariat a déjà permis de décrocher son premier client majeur : une banque nationale au Mozambique, qui mettra en œuvre les solutions IAM biométriques de BIO-key, incluant PortalGuard On-Prem avec authentification multifactorielle et fonctionnalités de Single Sign-On.
Dans le cadre du programme Channel Alliance Partner de BIO-key, Runlevel agira en tant que revendeur à valeur ajoutée, fournissant des conseils avant-vente, un support au déploiement et une formation technique adaptés aux exigences réglementaires locales. Ce partenariat marque l’expansion stratégique de BIO-key sur les marchés lusophones et renforce sa position dans le secteur financier mondial.
BIO-key International (NASDAQ: BKYI) hat eine strategische Partnerschaft mit Runlevel, einem Anbieter von Cybersicherheitslösungen, bekanntgegeben, um seine Identity and Access Management (IAM)-Lösungen in den portugiesischsprachigen afrikanischen Ländern (PALOP) und Timor-Leste auszubauen. Die Partnerschaft hat bereits den ersten Großkunden gewonnen – eine Nationalbank in Mosambik, die BIO-keys biometriebasierte IAM-Lösungen einschließlich PortalGuard On-Prem mit Multi-Faktor-Authentifizierung und Single Sign-On implementieren wird.
Im Rahmen des Channel Alliance Partner-Programms von BIO-key wird Runlevel als Value-Added Reseller fungieren und Vorverkaufsberatung, Unterstützung bei der Implementierung sowie technische Schulungen anbieten, die auf lokale regulatorische Anforderungen zugeschnitten sind. Diese Partnerschaft markiert die strategische Expansion von BIO-key in portugiesischsprachige Märkte und stärkt seine Position im globalen Finanzsektor.
- Secured first major deployment with a National Bank in Mozambique
- Strategic expansion into new markets (Portuguese-speaking African countries and Timor-Leste)
- Partnership enhances local presence through Runlevel's regional expertise and relationships
- None.
Insights
BIO-key's partnership with Runlevel opens new African and Asian markets, securing first major banking deployment in Mozambique.
BIO-key's strategic partnership with Runlevel represents a significant market expansion into previously untapped regions. The collaboration targets Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste, areas experiencing increasing cybersecurity challenges but with limited access to advanced IAM solutions.
The immediate success in securing a National Bank in Mozambique as their first customer demonstrates tangible market validation. Banking customers are particularly valuable in the cybersecurity sector due to their stringent security requirements, regulatory compliance needs, and typically larger implementation budgets. This deployment specifically includes BIO-key's PortalGuard On-Prem solution with Multi-factor Authentication and Single Sign-On capabilities.
What makes this partnership strategically valuable is Runlevel's specialized regional knowledge and existing relationships, which addresses a common challenge for international expansion - local market expertise. The deal adds to BIO-key's growing financial sector client portfolio, an industry vertical with high security demands and substantial IAM investment.
From a business development perspective, this partnership follows a classic channel expansion model, with Runlevel joining as a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) while providing crucial localized pre-sales consulting, deployment support, and technical training. This approach enables BIO-key to scale its international presence without the substantial overhead of establishing direct operations in these emerging markets.
Partnership Reaching Portuguese-Speaking African Countries and Timor-Leste
LISBON, Portugal and HOLMDEL, N.J., May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIO-key International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), a global leader in Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions featuring Identity-Bound Biometrics (IBB), today announced a strategic partnership with Runlevel, a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider, as well as the partnership’s first customer deployment. Runlevel focuses on Portuguese-speaking African countries ("Países Africanos de Língua Oficial Portuguesa or “PALOP”) and Timor-Leste in Asia.
Runlevel joins BIO-key’s Channel Alliance Partner (CAP) program as a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) for businesses and government institutions in PALOP countries and Timor-Leste, which face increasing cybersecurity challenges. The Runlevel partnerships marks the beginning of a broader effort to expand adoption of BIO-key solutions across the region, ensuring financial institutions, government agencies and enterprises can benefit from secure, scalable and compliant digital identity solutions. In support of BIO-key’s solutions, Runlevel will provide pre-sales consulting, deployment support and technical training tailored to regulatory requirements in PALOP and Timor-Leste.
Partnership’s First Major Deployment
BIO-key and Runlevel have already secured their first customer in the region — a National Bank in Mozambique — which is deploying a comprehensive suite of BIO-key’s biometric-based IAM solutions.
This deployment highlights the growing need for robust IAM solutions in the partnership’s territories and reinforces BIO-key’s position as a trusted cybersecurity partner within the global financial sector.
The deployment includes the following BIO-key solutions:
- PortalGuard On-Prem
- Highly secure IAM platform with Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
- Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities.
Miguel Guerreiro, Managing Partner at Runlevel, commented, “Runlevel is committed to delivering cutting-edge security solutions that address the unique challenges faced by customers in PALOP and Timor-Leste. Partnering with BIO-key enables us to provide advanced IAM technologies that enhance cybersecurity, streamline authentication, and ensure compliance. Securing our first major deal together is a strong validation of this partnership and demonstrates the critical need for robust identity security solutions in the financial sector."
Alex Rocha, International Managing Director at BIO-key, added, "Runlevel is an ideal partner to expand BIO-key’s reach into Portuguese speaking markets. Their deep knowledge of the local cybersecurity landscape and strong relationships with key enterprises and public institutions make them a perfect fit for delivering BIO-key’s IAM solutions. Securing our first project together with a National Bank in Mozambique confirms the demand we believe exists for advanced IAM solutions in these regions and adds to BIO-key’s growing presence in the financial sector. Together, we are committed to supporting customers with secure, scalable, and regulation-compliant authentication technologies."
About Runlevel (www.runlevel.pt)
Runlevel is a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider focusing on Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste. The company delivers advanced IT security, infrastructure, and compliance solutions, helping organizations navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape with best-in-class technology and expert consulting services.
About BIO-key International, Inc. (www.BIO-key.com)
BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software securing access for over forty million users. BIO-key allows customers to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including phoneless, tokenless, and passwordless biometric options. Its cloud-hosted or on-premise PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, convenient, and secure access to computers, information, applications, and high-value transactions.
BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). The words "estimate," "project," "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "believes" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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Investor Contacts
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BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800
FAQ
What is the significance of BIO-key's partnership with Runlevel for BKYI stock?
What IAM solutions will BIO-key (BKYI) provide to the Mozambique National Bank?
How will Runlevel support BIO-key's expansion in PALOP countries?
What regions are covered in BIO-key's new partnership with Runlevel?
