Argus Cyber Security
Argus Cyber Security is an Israeli automotive cybersecurity company, now operating under the PlaxidityX name within Continental AG's Elektrobit business.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Argus Cyber Security was an Israeli automotive cybersecurity company founded in 2013 by Ofer Ben-Noon, Oron Lavi, and Yaron Galula, three former members of Israel's Unit 8200. The company developed cybersecurity technologies for connected and software-defined vehicles, with a focus on detecting, preventing, and responding to attacks against vehicle networks, electronic control units, gateways, and vehicle-to-cloud communications. The company emerged during a period in which automobile manufacturers were adding cellular connectivity, remote diagnostics, advanced driver-assistance functions, infotainment systems, and over-the-air software updates to vehicles. These capabilities expanded the attack surface of cars and created a need for security products designed specifically for automotive architectures rather than conventional enterprise information-technology environments. Argus positioned its technology around intrusion detection and prevention, vehicle-network monitoring, incident response, and protection of communications between vehicles and cloud services. Argus's management and technical organization included personnel with experience at automotive manufacturers and suppliers including Daimler, Fiat Chrysler, and General Motors. The company was headquartered in Tel Aviv and reported a workforce of more than 200 people, with additional offices or operations in Detroit, Silicon Valley, Stuttgart, and Tokyo. It also accumulated granted and pending patents and received recognition from technology and business publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Fortune, WIRED, Red Herring, and Inc. The company pursued an ecosystem strategy rather than relying solely on an independent software stack. It announced collaborations with Check Point Software Technologies, Infineon, Elektrobit, Qualcomm, NXP Semiconductors, Riscure, and Phantom Auto. These partnerships connected Argus's automotive intrusion-detection and protection capabilities with cloud security, microcontrollers, electronic-control-unit software, hardware security, testing, and remote-vehicle-operation systems. In 2017, Continental AG acquired Argus for approximately $430 million. Following the acquisition, Argus became part of Continental's Elektrobit subsidiary, integrating its automotive cybersecurity capabilities into a larger supplier organization serving vehicle manufacturers and mobility companies. One of the company's notable product developments was a solution announced in October 2017 that supported secure over-the-air vehicle software updates for original-equipment manufacturers. In December 2020, co-founder Ofer Ben-Noon stepped down as chief executive officer and was succeeded by Ronen Smoly, previously Argus's vice president of sales. In August 2024, the business was rebranded as PlaxidityX. Accordingly, Argus Cyber Security is best understood as the former name of an automotive cybersecurity business that continues under Continental's ownership rather than as an independently listed company.
History
Argus Cyber Security was established in 2013 in Israel by Ofer Ben-Noon, Oron Lavi, and Yaron Galula, three former members of Unit 8200. The founders created the company to address the cybersecurity risks created by increasingly connected vehicles. As cars gained external communications, software-intensive electronic architectures, remote diagnostics, and cloud-linked services, automotive manufacturers needed specialized methods for monitoring vehicle networks and detecting malicious activity. Argus developed products for automotive intrusion detection and prevention, protection of electronic control units and central gateways, and security for communication between vehicles and cloud systems. Its technology was designed for use by original-equipment manufacturers and automotive suppliers. The company also worked with hardware, semiconductor, cloud-security, testing, and mobility companies to integrate cybersecurity into vehicle platforms rather than treating it as a separate aftermarket function. The company built an international presence from its Tel Aviv headquarters, with offices or operations reported in Detroit, Silicon Valley, Stuttgart, and Tokyo. Its management team included people with backgrounds at Daimler, Fiat Chrysler, and General Motors. Argus was recognized by several technology and business publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Fortune, WIRED, Red Herring, and Inc., and was reported to hold numerous granted and pending patents. During 2016 and 2017, Argus announced a series of partnerships. Check Point Software Technologies collaborated with the company on connected-vehicle and cloud security. Argus participated in Startup Autobahn, a program involving Daimler, Plug and Play, the University of Stuttgart, and ARENA2036. It also worked with Infineon on central-gateway protection, with Elektrobit and Qualcomm on electronic-control-unit and platform security, and with NXP Semiconductors on a solution combining Argus intrusion detection and prevention with NXP microcontroller technology. In 2017, Argus and Riscure organized a capture-the-flag competition using simulated automotive attack scenarios. Continental AG acquired Argus in 2017 for approximately $430 million. In November of that year, Argus became part of Continental's Elektrobit subsidiary, giving its technology a place within a major automotive-supplier group. In October 2017, the company announced a solution intended to support secure over-the-air vehicle software updates, an increasingly important capability as manufacturers began maintaining vehicle software remotely. In 2018, Argus partnered with Phantom Auto on technology for teleoperation safety and connected-vehicle protection. In December 2020, co-founder Ofer Ben-Noon left the chief executive role and Ronen Smoly, formerly Argus's vice president of sales, became CEO. In August 2024, the business rebranded as PlaxidityX. The Argus name therefore primarily identifies the company's pre-rebranding period, while the underlying automotive cybersecurity operation continues within Continental's corporate structure.
- 2024
Rebrand to PlaxidityX
[1]The company adopted the PlaxidityX name.
- 2020
Chief executive transition
[1]Co-founder Ofer Ben-Noon stepped down as CEO and Ronen Smoly succeeded him.
- 2017
Continental acquisition
[1]Continental acquired Argus for approximately $430 million, after which the company became part of Elektrobit.
- 2017
Over-the-air update security solution
[1]Argus added a solution intended to help original-equipment manufacturers secure over-the-air vehicle software updates.
- 2016
Expansion of automotive-security partnerships
[1]Argus announced collaborations with Check Point and Infineon and joined the Startup Autobahn program.
- 2013
Company founded
[1]Ofer Ben-Noon, Oron Lavi, and Yaron Galula founded Argus Cyber Security in Israel.
Products and positioning
Automotive cybersecurity specialist serving vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and mobility operators with software and integrated technologies for connected-vehicle protection.
Automotive intrusion detection and prevention
Argus IDPS
Argus IDPS was the company's automotive intrusion-detection and prevention technology. It was designed to monitor vehicle electronic networks, identify anomalous or malicious activity, and help prevent attacks against connected vehicle systems. The technology was also incorporated into collaborative solutions with semiconductor and automotive-technology partners.
Connected-vehicle cybersecurity
Argus Car Security Platform
The Car Security Platform represented Argus's broader approach to protecting connected vehicles across in-vehicle systems and vehicle-to-cloud communications. Its scope included security monitoring, attack detection, and integration with external cloud-security capabilities for automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
Automotive software-update security · 2017
Over-the-air update security solution
Announced in 2017, this solution was intended to enable original-equipment manufacturers to deliver vehicle software updates over the air while incorporating safeguards against attacks on the update process and connected vehicle infrastructure.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Argus–Riscure Automotive Capture the Flag
International automotive cybersecurity community
Argus and Riscure organized a capture-the-flag competition in which participants addressed simulated scenarios based on real-world automotive cybersecurity challenges.
Outcome. The event served as a technical engagement and awareness initiative focused on automotive security skills.
Brand decisions
2024
Rebranding as PlaxidityXStrategyBackground
The automotive cybersecurity business operated within Continental's Elektrobit organization after the 2017 acquisition.
Action taken
The business changed its operating brand from Argus Cyber Security to PlaxidityX.
Aftermath
Argus Cyber Security became the former name associated with the business, while the operation continued under the PlaxidityX identity.
2017
Continental acquisition of ArgusM&ABackground
Argus was an independent automotive cybersecurity specialist operating in a market increasingly shaped by connected vehicles and software-based vehicle functions.
Action taken
Continental acquired Argus for approximately $430 million. The business was subsequently incorporated into Continental's Elektrobit subsidiary.
Aftermath
The acquisition placed Argus's automotive cybersecurity capabilities within Continental's global automotive-supplier structure.
Acquisition price. 430000000 (2017)
Recent events
- 2024
Argus Cyber Security rebrands as PlaxidityX[1]
Other
The automotive cybersecurity business adopted the PlaxidityX name while remaining within Continental's broader organization.
- 2020
Ofer Ben-Noon leaves Argus CEO role[1]
Leadership change
Co-founder Ofer Ben-Noon stepped down as chief executive and was succeeded by Ronen Smoly, previously the company's vice president of sales.
- 2018
Argus partners with Phantom Auto on teleoperation safety[1]
Other
The companies announced technology intended to help protect connected vehicles used in teleoperation by blocking cyberattacks.
- 2017
Argus announces ECU and Qualcomm security collaborations[1]
Product launch
Argus announced collaborations with Elektrobit and Qualcomm concerning protection of electronic control units and connected-vehicle platforms.
- 2017
NXP and Argus announce automotive cybersecurity solution[1]
Product launch
NXP Semiconductors announced a joint solution combining Argus intrusion detection and prevention technology with an NXP microcontroller to identify and block advanced attacks in real time.
- 2017
Argus and Riscure organize automotive cybersecurity competition[1]
Campaign
Argus and Riscure announced a capture-the-flag competition based on simulated automotive cybersecurity scenarios.
- 2017
Continental acquires Argus Cyber Security[1]
M&A
Continental acquired Argus for approximately $430 million. The business subsequently became part of Continental's Elektrobit subsidiary.
- 2017
Argus adds over-the-air update security solution[1]
Product launch · Other
Argus announced a solution intended to help vehicle manufacturers deliver software updates over the air while addressing associated cybersecurity requirements.
- 2016
Argus partners with Check Point on connected-vehicle security[1]
Other
Argus and Check Point announced a collaboration intended to extend vehicle cybersecurity from the car to cloud communications through the Car Capsule concept.
- 2016
Argus selected for Startup Autobahn[1]
Other
Argus was selected to participate in Startup Autobahn, an accelerator and collaboration program associated with Daimler, Plug and Play, the University of Stuttgart, and ARENA2036.
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