Samsung SDS, the IT service affiliate of Samsung Electronics, has announced investment in UK-based cyber security firm Darktrace.

It is also investing in Korean blockchain platform company Blocko, it said, with both aimed to retain "leading-edge technology" and drive growth.

The investments were through a firm that Samsung SDS holds a 99 percent stake in, and managed with Samsung Venture Investment Corporation. The size of the investments were not revealed, however.

Darktrace's technology will be applied to its security business while Blocko's will be used for emerging Internet of Things (IoT) businesses, Samsung SDS said. It will continue to look for investment opportunities in artificial intelligence, analytics, and IoT going forward, it added.

UK startup Darktrace has solutions that use machine learning technology to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats from insider attacks, ransomeware, and machine-based attacks to unknown threat scenarios.

It was named this year's "Best Security Company of the Year" by Info Security.

Blocko has its own blockchain, or distributed digital ledger, platform being supplied to Korean firms.

Last month, Samsung SDS announced an MOU with long-time partner SAP to provide enterprise cloud solutions to clients in Asia-Pacific.

In May, it joined hands with IBM to provide cloud-based security solutions.