Chinese companies dominate global cybersecurity patents

14 Nov 2024 Chinese companies have made gains in cybersecurity technology, with companies such as Huawei and Tencent accounting for six of the top 10 global patents in the sector as of August, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. 

The report, citing informed sources, explained that companies in China have made progress in areas that affect economic security, in light of the tensions between Washington and Beijing, as patent applications submitted by local companies have increased since about 2018, when the United States began imposing broad export controls on Chinese technology companies. 

Huawei has been at the forefront of US sanctions aimed at securing American networks and supply chains since the US tightened export controls on technology companies. 

The report, prepared by Nikkei Asia in collaboration with US information services provider LexisNexis, was based on patents registered in 95 countries and regions including Japan, the United States, China and the European Union. 

The report found that IBM topped the list of companies registering the largest number of patents related to cybersecurity with 6,363 patents, followed by Huawei in second place with 5,735 patents, then Tencent with 4,803 patents. 

Other Chinese companies appeared in the top 10, with Ant Group, Alibaba's financial arm, coming in sixth with 3,922 patents, followed by energy transmission firm State Grid Corp., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp.