New Networking Campaign, over Former Fortinet Patents, Started—but Not by Fortinet

In an Eastern District of Texas complaint, Athena Security, LLP has accused Cisco (2:25-cv-01201) of infringing three patents through the provision of cybersecurity software and services as well as network switches and access points with certain network management functionality. Athena Security acquired the patents after a set of divestitures from Fortinet and ALAXALA Networks, a Japanese company in which Fortinet acquired a controlling interest in 2021. Public records suggest that Athena Security recently secured backing by an unnamed funder.