• The management buyout of Nova System’s Asia technology business will see the expansion of its core competencies in Cyber Security and Digital Aviation under a new company name Heron Technology
• Heron Technology remains dedicated to grooming the nation’s tech talent pool to develop future-ready technologies in Cyber Security and UAS domains, uplifting the local tech workforce with world-class capabilities and global competitiveness
• In line with Singapore and the region’s burgeoning interest in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and heightened cyber security concerns, Heron Technology will forge ahead in a range of national projects looking into safe deployment of UAS operations at scale as well as strengthening cyber security around critical information infrastructures

Singapore, 14 June 2021 – The  Australian-owned engineering services and technology solutions firm Nova Systems (“Nova Systems”) has successfully completed a management buyout of Nova’s technology business in Asia today. Newly renamed as Heron Technology Pte Ltd (“Heron Technology”), the company will forge ahead in its core competencies in Cyber Security and Digital Aviation, charting new paths in the Cyber Security and Unmanned Aircraft System (“UAS”) markets in Singapore and the region.

Mr Ryan Lee, CEO of Heron Technology, said: “Our team is backed by years of industry experience and knowledge amassed during our work with Nova. Since our journey began in 2017, we have completed Singapore’s first baseline UAS Traffic Management system and accrued a diverse portfolio of clients, from both public and private sectors, to integrate technology safely into their businesses. In Singapore and across the globe, we have seen growing interest in harnessing the potential of UAS technologies to revolutionise industries and build more empowering future for all. At the same time, these complex cyber-physical systems need to be managed safely as we continue to embrace the age of Industry 4.0, in order to integrate autonomous systems and technologies meaningfully.

“Heron symbolises strength, patience, and focus, which are the company’s critical pillars of success as we branch out from Nova. The name also reflects our commitment to the aviation industry and aspiration to soar above and beyond in the global market. This next phase of our journey hence marks the natural next step in the team’s vision to develop world-class capabilities, technologies and talent in the UAS and Cyber Security domains – right here in Singapore.”

The journey to Heron Technology

Nova’s Asia operations began in Singapore, where its Cyber Security and UAS capabilities were established in 2017. Over the last four years, the Singaporean-led management team spearheaded the development of these capabilities within the Nova Group, establishing strong relationships with government agencies, industry partners, and business enterprise customers.

Together with the team, Mr Lee led the achievement of various milestones for Nova Asia, critically in the areas of Cyber Security and the research and development of UAS Traffic Management (“UTM”) technologies in Singapore. In September 2020, Nova Asia’s penetration testing solutions were awarded the CREST accreditation, validating its steadfast commitment in delivering top-notch cybersecurity services. In March 2021, the team successfully deployed Singapore’s first baseline UTM system customised for its unique urban environment, as part of a two-year consortium project that was co-funded by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

The management buyout is the result of the Nova Group’s decision to divest its Cyber Security and UAS business in Asia. Led by Mr Lee, who was formerly Managing Director Asia at Nova, Heron Technology will continue to expand its capabilities in these two domains as its key business streams.

The team at Nova Asia will transition to their respective appointments at Heron Technology, while the core management team remains unchanged. With a predominantly homegrown team of consultants, engineers, and software specialists, Heron Technology is committed to grooming the nation’s tech talent to take on the new opportunities that lie ahead. Through various training programmes and traineeships, the company’s long-term strategy is to build a strong Singaporean core whilst leveraging the shared experiences and expertise from global talents, to strengthen the team’s diversity and global competitiveness.

Scaling new heights

As Singapore continues its journey to becoming a Smart Nation, Heron Technology will be involved in a range of national projects that are looking into enabling the safe deployment of UAS applications at scale and cybersecurity of critical information infrastructure.

Among its strong pipeline of projects, the company will work closely with various government agencies and regulators, telecommunication operators, as well as other private sector stakeholders, to establish remote area connectivity in Singapore for systems that enable greater leveraging on the concept of Internet of Things, as well as drone operations.

Heron Technology also looks forward to becoming a vital contributor to Singapore’s UAS ecosystem, through continued collaborations with all stakeholders to build and deploy UTM solutions that are customised to the country’s unique landscape and regulatory frameworks.

For media queries, please contact:

Black Dot

Gina Peh, Consultant
Tel: +65 9011 2873
Email: gina@blackdot.sg

Samantha Wong, Account Director
Tel: +65 9115 6968
Email: samantha@blackdot.sg

ANNEXE

About Heron Technology

Heron Technology is a Singapore-based technology solutions consultancy with core competencies in the areas of Cyber Security and Digital Aviation. With our depth of experience, we believe in being a trusted partner for our clients – to tackle their unique challenges and future-proof their businesses through the meaningful use of technology.

Our Cyber Security services are aimed at creating Zero Trust Security within information technology, industrial control and automation, and Internet of Things systems; whereas our Digital Aviation capabilities and services are aimed at building the cities of tomorrow, by bringing the reality of large-scale unmanned aircraft deployment to life.

In today’s evolving technological landscape, Heron Technology is committed to charting new paths for our clients to develop solutions and systems that will transform and empower our lives, for today and tomorrow.