Belden's Innovation Award: How InUse's iLean AI Could Disrupt Cybersecurity Through Strategic Ecosystems

The Joseph C. Belden Innovation Award, launched in 2024, has emerged as a catalyst for technological disruption by spotlighting startups that merge cutting-edge AI, cybersecurity, and industrial solutions. This year's winner, InUse's iLean AI platform, exemplifies how strategic partnerships—such as those fostered by Belden—can accelerate growth in cybersecurity by addressing overlooked gaps in operational resilience. For investors, this dynamic partnership signals a compelling opportunity to capitalize on the convergence of AI-driven efficiency and cybersecurity in industrial sectors.

The Belden Innovation Ecosystem: Bridging AI and Cybersecurity

Belden's award program targets companies solving critical challenges in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and energy. InUse's iLean, an industrial AI assistant that optimizes task management and predictive maintenance, won the 2025 award for its potential to reduce operational downtime by 40%. While iLean's primary focus is efficiency, its architecture—leveraging retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) for data confidentiality—hints at cybersecurity synergies. This is where Belden's broader ecosystem comes into play.

The award's finalists, including cybersecurity-focused firms like Corero (DDoS protection) and Voleatech (OT firewalls), underscore Belden's dual emphasis on operational innovation and security. By aligning InUse with these players, Belden is creating a platform where AI-driven efficiency tools can be layered with cybersecurity defenses. For instance, InUse's RAG-powered data handling could complement Corero's DDoS mitigation, forming a holistic solution for industries like manufacturing, where 60% of downtime incidents stem from cyberattacks (as cited in Belden's 2024 whitepaper).

InUse's Growth Potential: Beyond the AI Efficiency Play

Investors often overlook how AI platforms like iLean can indirectly dominate cybersecurity markets. Consider this:

• Industrial Cybersecurity Gaps: Over 80% of industrial firms report unaddressed vulnerabilities in IoT/OT systems, per Belden's 2025 report. iLean's ability to integrate real-time data analytics with security protocols could fill this void.
• Belden's Network Effect: As a leader in industrial connectivity, Belden can channel InUse's solution into its global customer base of 15,000+ enterprises. This access accelerates market penetration compared to standalone cybersecurity startups.

Belden's share price rose 18% year-to-date (as of June 2025) amid heightened investor interest in industrial cybersecurity. This trend suggests market confidence in the company's innovation ecosystem strategy.

Risks and Strategic Considerations

While the partnership is promising, risks remain:
1. Dependency on Belden: InUse's success hinges on Belden's salesforce effectively cross-selling iLean alongside cybersecurity tools.
2. Regulatory Hurdles: Compliance in industries like energy and healthcare could slow adoption if not prioritized.

Investors should also monitor competitors like Cisco (which acquired OT cybersecurity firm Proteus in 2024) and Palo Alto Networks (expanding into industrial IoT). However, InUse's AI-centric approach offers a unique angle—combining predictive maintenance with security—differentiating it from pure-play cybersecurity firms.

Investment Thesis: Play the Ecosystem, Not the Individual Player

For now, InUse's private status limits direct investment, but Belden's stock offers exposure to its innovation pipeline. Look for:
- Synergistic Partnerships: Belden's collaborations with cybersecurity finalists (e.g., Corero) could amplify InUse's value.
- New Product Integrations: Watch for joint product launches combining iLean with OT security tools, signaling market traction.

Corero's shares surged 35% post-finalist announcement, illustrating how Belden's recognition can unlock value for ecosystem partners.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for AI-Cybersecurity Convergence

InUse's iLean exemplifies how strategic partnerships—fueled by awards like Belden's—can redefine industries by merging operational efficiency with cybersecurity. For investors, this is more than a bet on InUse: it's an entry point into a growing ecosystem where AI and security are inseparable. Belden's ability to connect AI innovators with cybersecurity leaders positions it as a critical player in this space, making its stock a barometer for the sector's evolution.

Recommendation:
- Belden (BDC): Hold for long-term exposure to industrial cybersecurity ecosystems.
- Cybersecurity Plays: Consider Corero (CRRW) or Voleatech (if public) for pure-play cybersecurity upside, paired with Belden's ecosystem leverage.

The fusion of AI and cybersecurity, as catalyzed by Belden's award, is no longer optional—it's the next frontier for industrial resilience. InUse's iLean is just the beginning.