Need to secure non-human entities, leaky clouds, and complex environments? The companies included in our network security startups to watch series have bold ideas.
dope.security is one of Network World’s 7 network security startups to watch for 2024. It rearchitected the traditional secure web gateway (SWG) to avoid routing traffic through cloud data centers. By performing security directly on the endpoint instead of routing traffic through stopover data centers, dope.security says its SWG can boost network performance fourfold.
dope.security at a glance
- Founded: 2021
- What they do: Provide secure web gateways (SWG)
- Funding: $20 million
- Headquarters: Mountain View, California
- CEO: Kunal Agarwal
- Competitors include: Forcepoint (through its acquisition of Websense),
- Netskope,Symantec (through its acquisitions of Blue Coat), and Zscaler
- Customers include: Plansource and Success Academies
Why dope.security is a startup to watch:
Cloud security risks are numerous and growing. According to ICS2’s 2024 Cloud Security Report, 96% of organizations are worried about public cloud security, and more than half (55%) consider securing multi-cloud environments as their top challenge.
Many legacy security solutions don’t have the ability to fully investigate and respond to cloud and SaaS threats. Conversely, cloud-native security solutions tend to force enterprises to route traffic through cloud data centers, which sacrifices network performance.
dope.security intends to improve cloud security and performance by rethinking legacy secure web gateway (SWG) design, removing a stop between enterprise resources and end users. The startup uses airline terminology to drive home the point, calling its architecture “fly direct.” dope.security’s SWG architecture eliminates stopovers at cloud data centers, which the startup says improves performance up to fourfold.
Instead, dope.security’s SWG performs security directly on the endpoint, including URL filtering, SSL inspection, and cloud app control. Dope.security also provides AI-powered Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) services, including Data Loss Prevention (DLP), SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM), and contextual analysis of an organization’s publicly exposed data.
The startup has raised a total of $20 million in VC funding. Its most recent round closed in March 2023, a $16 million Series A round led by Google Ventures (GV), with participation from existing investors boldstart ventures and Preface.
About Dope Security
A comprehensive security solution designed to protect individuals and organizations from various cyber threats and vulnerabilities. With a focus on proactive defense and advanced technologies, Dope Security offers a range of features and services to safeguard sensitive data, systems, and networks.
About Version 2 Digital
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.
Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
