Rethinking IoT Security: The Innovative Journey of Edera’s Founders
In the ever-evolving world of technology, it’s crucial for devices, especially those in the Internet of Things (IoT), to stay safe from potential threats. Back in the mid-2010s, Alex Zenla, then a young teen immersed in the realms of IoT security, stumbled upon an unsettling reality: the tiny chips powering IoT devices simply couldn’t support the advanced cloud protections that kept PCs and servers secure. As a result, these devices, often exposed directly to local networks, were alarmingly vulnerable to attacks.
Determined to bridge this gap, Zenla, who was already dabbling in IoT platforms and building online communities, spent years inventing a way for nearly any device to operate within its own isolated cloud environment—what she termed a “container.” Fast forward a decade, and Zenla is now one of the three female co-founders of Edera, a cutting-edge security company focused on redefining how cloud infrastructure handles resources.
The Challenge of Cloud Workload Isolation
Edera is making waves with its innovative cloud workload isolation technology. While it might sound like a niche product, its potential impact is vast, especially in a tech world where many applications and customers share cloud infrastructure. With the surge of AI workloads demanding powerful GPUs rather than traditional CPUs, the challenge becomes even more pronounced. These GPUs are optimized for efficiency and capacity without adequate safeguards, which means that if an attacker breaches one part of the system, they could easily access much more.
Zenla points out, “These problems are very hard, both on the GPU and the container isolation, but I think people were too willing to accept trade-offs that were not actually acceptable.”
Raising Funds in a Challenging Landscape
Recently, Edera announced a significant milestone—a $15 million Series A funding round led by Microsoft’s venture fund, M12, following a successful $5 million seed round just last October. While funding news can easily blend into the background noise of the bustling tech world, Edera’s progress stands out, particularly given its entirely female leadership, including two transgender women. This achievement is especially remarkable in an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity.
In the tech startup ecosystem, securing venture funding has historically favored male founders, and female entrepreneurs face additional hurdles when seeking subsequent rounds. Emily Long, Edera’s CEO and co-founder, emphasizes the pressing need for change: “We can’t ignore the fact that we are a small minority in our industry, and that a lot of the changes around us are not lifting us up.”
Paving the Way for Future Innovations
Along with co-founder Ariadne Conill, who brings a wealth of experience in open-source software and security, Zenla and Long are on a mission to ensure companies can implement robust security measures without compromising on performance or innovation. Their aim is to protect networks from disastrous breaches triggered by vulnerabilities in outdated legacy applications or mismanaged insider threats.
Long succinctly explains, “People have legacy applications in their infrastructure and use end-of-life software; there’s no way to do security and believe that you can always patch every existing vulnerability.” The designers of containers didn’t originally focus on isolation, leaving companies with tough choices between innovation and security. Edera seeks to eliminate that dilemma entirely.
Conclusion
Edera is a shining example of innovation, not just in technology but also in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment in the tech space. As the company continues to grow, its approach to cloud workload isolation could define a new standard of security for IoT and AI systems alike.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
