NetSTAR's Security Tech Earns Prestigious MWC Award Nomination

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – February 24, 2026 – In an increasingly complex digital world where threats lurk within encrypted data streams, NetSTAR Global Inc., a key player in foundational internet security, has been named a finalist for a prestigious GSMA Global Mobile (GLOMO) Award. The Salt Lake City-based company was shortlisted in the 'Best Network Security & Fraud Prevention' category for its inCompass® platform, a technology quietly protecting billions of users across the globe.

The nomination places NetSTAR among the top innovators set to be celebrated at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, the mobile industry's largest and most influential event. The winner will be announced in early March, but the shortlisting itself serves as a significant validation of the company's critical, behind-the-scenes role in safeguarding the global mobile ecosystem.

A Mark of Industry Excellence

The GSMA GLOMO Awards are widely regarded as the mobile industry's highest honor. For over three decades, these awards have recognized companies and individuals who drive innovation and demonstrate outstanding achievement in the digital landscape. Being named a finalist is not a trivial accomplishment; it is the result of a rigorous and impartial judging process conducted by a panel of over 200 independent experts, including leading analysts, journalists, academics, and chief technology officers from mobile operators worldwide.

To be considered, technologies must demonstrate significant impact and be available in at least one market, utilizing mobile connectivity based on open industry standards. The 'Best Network Security & Fraud Prevention' category specifically honors solutions that protect mobile networks, mitigate fraud, and fortify the security infrastructure of operators. NetSTAR's presence on this shortlist signals that its technology is seen as a vital contributor to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in mobile security today.

Winning the War on Encrypted Threats

At the heart of NetSTAR's recognition is its inCompass® platform, an OEM-grade URL and IP address categorization engine. In an era where research indicates that over 95% of internet traffic is encrypted, traditional security methods often face a "visibility blackout," unable to inspect data for malicious content. This is the battleground where inCompass® excels. The platform is engineered to provide deep visibility and threat intelligence even within these encrypted environments.

The technology enables mobile operators and security vendors to perform real-time blocking of a wide array of threats, including sophisticated phishing campaigns, malware distribution networks, and the rapidly growing problem of "smishing" (SMS-based phishing). It provides granular policy control down to the specific path and page level, allowing for precise enforcement of security and compliance rules. This capability is powered by a massive intelligence network, deriving data from over 1.8 billion global endpoints and a continuously updated database of more than 48 billion categorized URLs and domains.

"Being shortlisted by the GSMA validates the role NetSTAR plays as foundational intelligence infrastructure within the global mobile ecosystem," said Daniel Ashby, the company's Chief Operating Officer. "As encrypted traffic and fraud sophistication continue to increase, operators require precise, scalable intelligence to protect subscribers and enterprise customers. We are honored to be recognized among the industry's leading security innovators."

The Silent Guardian in a Global Ecosystem

While NetSTAR may not be a household name for most consumers, its technology is a silent guardian embedded in the digital services they use daily. The company operates on an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) business model, meaning its solutions are integrated directly into the products and platforms of other companies. With a network of more than 275 OEM partners worldwide, its reach is vast and fundamental.

This ecosystem includes mobile operators, internet service providers, hardware and software vendors, and developers of security solutions like firewalls, Secure Web Gateways (SWGs), and endpoint protection systems. When a user is protected from a malicious link by their mobile carrier or their company's network security, it is often technology like NetSTAR's inCompass® working in the background. This model allows the security firm to provide foundational protection at an immense scale, influencing the safety of internet traffic from over 1.8 billion endpoints. The company's focus on this B2B model positions it as a critical infrastructure provider, essential to the security posture of its partners across the mobile, enterprise, and adtech markets.

A Necessary Defense in a Shifting Threat Landscape

The need for advanced security solutions like inCompass® has never been more acute. The cybersecurity landscape of 2026 is defined by the weaponization of artificial intelligence, which supercharges social engineering attacks and makes fraudulent communications nearly indistinguishable from legitimate ones. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting identity as the primary attack surface, with mobile credential theft, SIM swapping, and number porting fraud surging as effective methods for account takeovers.

These evolving tactics, combined with the challenge of encrypted traffic, demand a new class of defensive tools. The mobile security market is expanding rapidly to meet this demand, with global cybersecurity spending projected to exceed $520 billion annually by 2026. NetSTAR’s technology directly addresses these modern challenges by providing the intelligence needed to identify and neutralize threats before they reach the end user, regardless of how cleverly they are disguised or delivered.

The industry will be watching closely as the winners of the GLOMO Awards are announced at MWC26. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on the Turing Stage in Barcelona on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and will be live-streamed for a global audience. For NetSTAR and its competitors, the event marks a key moment of recognition for their efforts in the ongoing fight to secure our connected world.