The most recent figures show that the number of patent applications by industry companies stood at 55 in the three months ending November, down from 91 over the same period last year.

Figures for patent grants related to cybersecurity followed a different pattern to filings, growing from 38 in the three months ending November last year to 56 this year.

The figures are compiled by GlobalData, which tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Using textual analysis, as well as official patent classifications, these patents are grouped into key thematic areas and linked to key companies across various industries.

Cybersecurity is one of the key areas tracked by GlobalData. It has been identified as being a key disruptive force facing companies in the coming years and is one of the areas that companies investing resources in now are expected to reap rewards from.

The figures also provide an insight into the largest innovators in the sector.

Thales was the top cybersecurity innovator in the naval equipment and technologies sector in the last quarter. The company, which has its headquarters in France, filed 129 related patents in the three months ending November. That was down from 201 over the same period last year.

It was followed by the US-based Raytheon Technologies with 18 patent applications, the Netherlands-based Airbus (six applications), and the UK-based BAE Systems (three applications).

Figures from SIPRI reveal that the world’s governments spent almost $2tn on defence in 2020.

// Main image: Credit: US Navy