ICSL Consulting — Strategic Advisory for COMSEC & Applied AI
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ICSL Consulting · About Us

About ICSL Consulting

An advisory unit built on real field experience. Not a management consultancy that has discovered COMSEC as a new service line.

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Who We Are

Built on practical experience

The ICSL Group has been active in telecommunications and communications security since 1995. ICSL Consulting is the founding company and advisory unit for clients who need strategic assessments and independent advice.

  • 30+ years dedicated exclusively to COMSEC — no sideline, no diversification
  • NATO approval and FCL (Facility Security Clearance)
  • Proven implementations in government, the military and critical infrastructure
  • No manufacturer ties — we do not sell communications products through our consulting services
  • Operational experience from real-world deployments

Why we offer consulting:

In 30 years of fieldwork, we have repeatedly met decision-makers with fundamental questions about communications security who cannot find an adviser without a vested interest. ICSL Consulting fills that gap: independent, discreet and grounded in expertise.

What sets us apart

ICSL Consulting operates according to the same principles as our entire company.

Absolute Discretion

No customer names without express permission. No client lists. No marketing at our clients' expense.

No Conflicts of Interest

We do not advise on behalf of manufacturers. We receive no commissions. Our sole obligation is to our clients.

Expertise Before Sales

We accept only engagements where we can deliver real value. Revenue does not come at any cost.

Direct Communication

No detours through junior consultants. Your first point of contact is always at senior level.

Since 1995

A history of building businesses, spin-offs and specialisation

From one of Austria's first internet providers to a specialist advisory and integration firm — telecommunications, telemedicine, cybersecurity, secure communications and applied AI.

1995

ICSL Founded

One of Austria's first internet content providers and callback providers. Everything that follows — projects, developments and spin-offs — originates here.

1997

Austria's First Private Fixed-Line Operator

Established Austria's first private PSTN operator as an ICSL spin-off: PTAG — running on Siemens EWSD, including interconnection with the state-owned PTT. Grew from zero to 35 employees and 1,100 business customers in three years — the only alternative telecoms operator in Austria at the time with positive EBITDA; successfully sold in 2000. Further telecoms ventures followed, including Best Telecom, A-Tel and Phoenix.

2000

ICSL Consulting GmbH

Established as a separate company — wholly family-owned to this day.

2001

Encrypted Communications for Government and VIPs

First secure communications systems for government bodies, businesses and VIPs — the beginning of today's COMSEC focus.

2004

Telemedicine Spin-off

Developed and built a telemedicine business (TeleMed), founding vitaphone GmbH — an innovation leader with its cardiac monitoring phone, featured in ORF broadcasts; successfully sold in 2012.

2004

COMSEC Becomes a Separate Business

ICSL GmbH & Co KG founded for the COMSEC business — later merged into today's ICSL GmbH: ICSL Secure Communications.

2007

Secure Authentication Hardware

Biometric ID project launched, spun off in 2008 as AGSES: hardware-based tokens for authentication, access and secure transactions — subsequently manufactured under licence, including as the Bloomberg B-Unit.

2008

Hardware Encryption on Standard Phones

Partnership launched with a Nokia spin-off for hardware-based encryption on standard phones.

2011

Technology Acquisition with Worldwide Patents

Acquisition of the complete identity protection technology of Switzerland's AXSionics (a spin-off of Bern University of Applied Sciences) — including worldwide patents, licensed by Bloomberg among others.

2012

Government Solutions as a Service

Cooperation with Ardaco begins — Silentel joins the ICSL portfolio.

2013

NATO-approved COMSEC

The first NATO-approved COMSEC solution in the ICSL portfolio.

2015

Hosting for Government Solutions

Global hosting for secure communications solutions used by various government agencies.

2020

Serving an Entire Country

For the first time in an EU country's history, all ministries and highest state bodies communicate with one another using encryption — across organisational boundaries, at classified level. Implemented by ICSL.

2021

EMEA Responsibility

Assumed responsibility for secure communications solutions across EMEA — distribution, integration, workshops, training and partnerships.

2022

Reorganisation as a Corporate Group

ICSL Consulting and ICSL GmbH are brought together under a shared holding company in 2022/23 — family-run, just as on day one.

2023

Bespoke Development

Bespoke development and integration of different cryptographic systems — tailored to individual customers.

2024

Support for Third-Party Solutions

Support for selected communications and endpoint security solutions — even when not purchased through ICSL. Because detailed expertise is often missing precisely where it is needed.

2025

NATO Post-Quantum — Also for Businesses and VIPs

The first NATO-approved post-quantum solution for government agencies — also available as a service from ICSL.

Consulting came first: all projects, developments and spin-offs originated there. A separate company was established for the COMSEC business in 2004 — ICSL GmbH & Co KG, later merged into today's ICSL GmbH: ICSL Secure Communications. Both companies have operated under a shared holding company since 2022/23.

Request a conversation

Get to know us — confidentially and without obligation. We will establish whether and how we can help.