Security specialist HID is continuing its growth strategy in the area of identity and access management and has signed an agreement to acquire Canadian company Idmelon. Founded in 2019, the Vancouver-based start-up specialises in passwordless authentication solutions and offers a simple way to replace traditional passwords with secure and user-friendly alternatives through its FIDO-based platform.

From passwords to passwordless identity

Idmelon enables companies to transform existing identifiers – such as access cards, smartphones or biometric features – into FIDO-compliant security keys. This allows organisations to use existing infrastructure to make the transition to passwordless authentication without major integration efforts. In addition to the software platform, Idmelon also offers its own hardware that supports the FIDO standard.

‘Users have long recognised the weaknesses of traditional password systems,’ says Björn Lidefelt, Executive Vice President and Head of HID. ‘With Idmelon in our portfolio, we are making it easier for companies to move towards a secure, passwordless future.’

FIDO standard as an enabler for modern authentication

The FIDO standard (Fast IDentity Online) has established itself in recent years as the basis for passwordless and phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA). While many companies have relied on dedicated hardware keys up to now, Idmelon is taking a different approach: existing company ID cards or mobile devices are upgraded to FIDO-compatible security keys.

The Idmelon FIDO Management Platform greatly simplifies administration and integration. Administrators can centrally manage users, enforce policies and monitor activities, while employees can conveniently log in using a PIN or biometrics. This reduces friction points in the user experience while increasing the level of security.

Focus on convergent login concepts

With this acquisition, HID is particularly strengthening the area of convergent authentication, i.e. the combination of physical and logical access.

‘We want to offer our customers holistic, seamlessly integrated access solutions,’ explains Martin Ladstaetter, Senior Vice President and Head of Identity and Access Management Solutions at HID. ‘By integrating Idmelon, we can transform existing access cards into multifunctional, convergent authorisations – a key to both the physical and digital worlds.’

Strategic addition for HID

Upon completion of the transaction, Idmelon will become part of HID’s Identity and Access Management Solutions (IAMS) business unit. The integration will take place within the Authentication Business Unit, which will benefit from the expanded platform technology in the future.

‘Our mission has always been to enable people and businesses to work securely and efficiently – without having to deal with the problems of passwords,’ emphasises Bahram Piri, founder and CEO of Idmelon. ‘Together with HID, we can now scale this vision globally.’

The completion of the acquisition is still subject to the usual approvals and is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.