Anakam breaks out of stealth mode onto multiple awards lists: new contracts also raising the visibility of fast-growing software firm.

It's fitting that Anakam, a San Diego-based software security company, would spend years flying under the radar, building out its product line and procuring clients. But its impressive uptake in the market is moving the small security giant into the national spotlight.

This month, the company finds itself a finalist in three separate award competitions: TechAmerica's High Tech Award, Connect's MIP (Most Innovative Product) Award and Government Security News magazine's Homeland Security Award.

Describing his company as one of San Diego's "best kept secrets," CEO Allan Camaisa says the timing for receiving accolades is right on schedule.

"We were in product development until 2004, and we've been focused on developing the solutions first and our relationships with the clients," he said. "Like many security companies just starting out, we were purposely quiet, in part as a way to protect our technology from larger companies."

Revenues Rising

Anakam employs 50 people here and in offices in Arlington, Va.

The privately held company doesn't disclose revenues, but Camaisa says they've been growing 200 percent to 300 percent in the past two years, and "have reached well into eight figures."

Its claim to fame is its flagship Identity Suite, a two-factor authentication security scheme, along with a line of identity gateway products that are customized to an organization's needs.

"With the Obama administration's emphasis around cybersecurity, Anakam is a very hot company because they help ensure that you can authenticate your users when you're doing business," said Camille Sobrian, chief operating officer of Connect, a 300-member, award-bearing trade group based in San Diego. "They're protecting business from threats, which is critical to keep us operating and online. In their (software) category, they truly stood out."

Anakam's identity protection software is divided into four territories that often overlap: health care, government, banking and finance, and e-commerce. Its clients include Sharp HealthCare, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

"We're capitalizing on the desire in the marketplace, particularly in government and health care, to put ironclad security systems in place. But it has to be scalable and accessible to millions," said Brent Williams, Anakam's chief technology officer. "We're enabling business models that never existed, which can open the doors to highly sensitive information-sharing operations on the Web."

At the same time, Williams says his team is aiming to accomplish "transformational things." He points to his company's involvement with Lipex, or Long Island Patient Information Exchange, a major undertaking among regional health offices in the Northeast.

"The change in the marketplace comes down to where your health records reside. They've traditionally lived in one environment. But the advent of the secure exchange and sharing of medical information has been transformational for patients and the medical community," Williams said. "We're right there at the front end: Are you who you say you are?"

Meanwhile, back to the awards ... TechAmerica's event is set to happen Oct. 30 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Connect's ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 11 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. And finally, the Government Security News awards are slated for Oct. 27 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.