Protect AI
Overview
Protect AI is a cybersecurity company focused on securing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) platforms. Founded in 2022 by Ian Swanson, Daryan Dehghanpisheh, and Badar Ahmed, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Protect AI has raised a total of $129 million in funding across three rounds, with the latest being a Series B round of $80.8 million. The company specializes in providing AI Security Posture Management (AI-SPM) to protect AI systems from unique vulnerabilities.
Recent Developments
- October 2024: Protect AI was named one of Inc.'s Best Workplaces of the year for its outstanding company culture and work environment.
- September 2024: The company launched a free MLSecOps Foundations course aimed at equipping organizations with the necessary skills to secure AI and ML applications.
- August 2024: Protect AI raised $60 million in a Series B funding round led by Evolution Equity Partners. This round brings the total funding for the company to $108.5 million, which will be used to enhance its AI security posture management platform and expand its customer base.
- July 2024: The company was recognized as a Top Cyber Company in the 2024 Enterprise Security Tech Awards for its innovative AI/ML security platform.
- June 2024: Protect AI expanded its portfolio by acquiring Laiyer AI, a leader in securing large language models (LLMs) through open-source projects.
- January 2024: The company announced Guardian, a secure gateway to enforce ML model security, which integrates with legacy and new AI applications to block unsafe models.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2022 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington |
| Founders | Ian Swanson, Daryan Dehghanpisheh, Badar Ahmed |
| Revenue | Not publicly disclosed |
| Profits | Not publicly disclosed |
| Key Investors | Evolution Equity Partners, 01 Advisors, StepStone Group |
| Industry | Cybersecurity, AI Security |
| Number of Employees | Approximately 90 |
Early History
Protect AI was founded in 2022 by experienced leaders from AI and ML domains, including Ian Swanson, a former leader at Amazon Web Services and Oracle. The company was built to address the growing need for security in AI applications, often overlooked by traditional cybersecurity measures. It quickly positioned itself as a leader in MLSecOps (Machine Learning Security Operations), focusing on a developer-first approach to enhance security without compromising the innovation speed in AI applications.
Company Profile and Achievements
Protect AI is pioneering AI Security Posture Management, a comprehensive approach to safeguarding AI systems. The platform consists of several key products, including:
- Guardian: Safeguards models by scanning and blocking threats before deployment.
- Sightline: A vulnerability database offering threat feeds and remediation scripts.
- Radar: Provides comprehensive monitoring and governance of AI/ML assets.
- Layer: Ensures security and compliance of LLMs across their lifecycle.
- huntr: A bug bounty platform focusing on AI/ML threat detection.
- MLSecOps Community: Hub for education and knowledge sharing on AI security.
The company has made strategic acquisitions to boost its technology stack, including Laiyer AI and SydeLabs, enhancing its capabilities in LLM security and red teaming of AI vulnerabilities.
Current Operations and Market Position
As of 2024, Protect AI has broadened its market reach with offices in Berlin and Bangalore, catering to both private and public sector clients. The company remains committed to expanding its global footprint, focusing on securing national security organizations and Fortune 500 companies. Protect AI is recognized as a leader in AI security innovation, evident from its accolades in global cybersecurity awards.
Conclusion
Protect AI has rapidly emerged as a significant player in the cybersecurity landscape, specializing in the protection of AI and machine learning systems. With its focus on comprehensive AI Security Posture Management, backed by substantial funding and strategic acquisitions, Protect AI is positioned to lead the AI security market globally. The company continues to evolve its platform to meet the increasing demand for AI security solutions, ensuring a safer world powered by AI.