8 cybersecurity startups to watch out for in 2018

There was a time when hacking and cyber threats were restricted to slick Hollywood movies. But with the need for cybersecurity soaring in India, a number of startups have mushroomed in this space.

In today’s digital world, convenience has brought along a constantly evolving threat – cybersecurity. Over the past few months, the threat is getting stronger.

The biggest one in recent times has been Ransomware, a malicious type of software that publishes a victim’s data unless a ransom is paid. According to Europol, Ransomware today represents a major threat to global cybersecurity.

PP Chaudhary, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, says India saw over 27,000 cyber security threats being reported to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) in the first half of 2017.

Looking at the need, cybersecurity startups are gaining importance in India. However, most of these have been founded as early as 2011, and many have raised only undisclosed rounds of funding. In sharp contrast, the US is home to close to 63 percent of the world’s privately-owned cybersecurity companies. Of these, only six California based cybersecurity companies raised over $200 million in funding in a year.

India may have a long way to go, but we list down some of the top cybersecurity startups to watch out for are:

Lucideus Tech

Launched in 2012, Delhi-based Lucideus Technologies is a complete cybersecurity solutions provider that enables clients to secure web-based resources. They assist clients eliminate the risk of unauthorised access to key systems, files, or databases by identifying vulnerabilities in web spaces. They also organise ethical hacking and web-security based workshops and seminars.

AppsPicket

Launched in 2015, AppsPicket’s mission is to bring advanced cryptography to all businesses, whether small, medium or large. The startup, based out of Delhi and London, works in the Strong Authentication (2FA) and Cloud Security domain. It aims to use advanced cryptography to solve real-world security problems with its range of products, including Cryptopass, Developer SDK, and Authportal. The brand’s next-generation Two Factor Authentication - I2FA - is making adoption of strong user authentication simpler and frictionless.

AppSecure  

Started in May 2016, the platform works as an aggregator that connects ethical hackers to companies. Companies are always keen to quickly discover security loopholes and who better than hackers to give them that information? The startup provides common ground for hackers and companies to connect.

TAC Security Solutions

TAC Security Solutions is a cybersecurity solutions provider on the mission to anticipate, resolve, and mitigate cyber security risks and challenges. TAC Security provides complete vulnerability assessment solutions, which involves the process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritising vulnerabilities in network infrastructures. It provides network, application, and web security solutions to corporates, banks, startups, governments, and law enforcement agencies.

Its current client portfolio includes names such as Reliance Industries Limited, Gujarat Police, Punjab Police, International Tractors Limited (Sonalika), AMUL, Avon Cycles, RALSON, and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), among others.

Kratikal Tech

Launched in 2016, this Noida-based startup provides end-to-end cybersecurity solutions. It provides a complete suite of vulnerability assessment and penetration testing services as well as security auditing like PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001. Kratikal Tech’s product People Risk Assessment (PRA) Engine claims to access the real-time threat posture of an organisation from a people point of view, reducing cyber risk up to 90 percent.

ShieldSquare

Founded in 2013, ShieldSquare is a bot mitigation and management startup. ShieldSquare is a real-time, cloud-based prevention solution, which helps companies differentiate between human and bot traffic on their apps and websites. The company focuses on the prevention and removal of any malicious intent and fraud.

Block Armour

Harnessing the potential of Blockchain and emerging technology, Mumbai-based Block Armour, launched in 2016, aims to disrupt cybersecurity. Blending cybersecurity insights, IT security best practices, and emerging technologies, Block Armour aims to provide a base for a new breed of identity management, data/information integrity, and IoT-related security solutions.

HaltDos

Launched in 2015, Noida-based HaltDos is an AI-driven website protection service that secures websites against cyber threats. Its comprehensive offering provides DDoS protection, Web Application Firewall, and Load Balancing features in a single solution and is available on the cloud as well as on-premise appliance.