Securing AI: How Startups are Battling Cyberthreats
As the world rushes to embrace artificial intelligence (AI), companies are increasingly worried about their cybersecurity defenses. A recent survey of over 350 IT leaders revealed that more than half believe the complexity of AI applications has made their organizations more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Additionally, over two-fifths of the executives expressed concerns that their security teams lack the necessary skills to safeguard AI applications and workloads.
A Growing Demand for AI Security Solutions
The rising demand for security solutions tailored for AI has led to a wave of innovative startups stepping into the spotlight. Companies like HiddenLayer and Protect AI are committed to defending AI systems from adversarial attacks, while Cranium offers visibility into AI systems at the application level.
One exciting newcomer making waves is Noma Security. This startup, co-founded by Niv Braun and Alon Tron, has emerged from stealth mode with bold claims about its technology. Noma aims to identify vulnerable data pipelines and coding issues within data science environments and tackle emerging threats like prompt injection attacks.
The Inspiration Behind Noma Security
Braun’s journey into the AI security realm began during his time at customer experience automation firm Verint. He noticed a significant "blind spot" regarding security teams’ capabilities within the data and AI lifecycle. "Existing tools are designed for the traditional software lifecycle," Braun remarked. "However, the data and AI lifecycle is inherently different, facing unique technical vulnerabilities within AI models."
What Noma Brings to the Table
Noma Security offers comprehensive tools to detect and rectify misconfigurations in components used to develop and launch AI applications. For instance, the platform can scan training datasets for sensitive information, including personally identifiable information (PII).
Braun believes that consolidating AI security functions into a single dashboard can empower companies to handle threats more effectively. "Many single-function security solutions are flooding the market, trying to capitalize on the AI hype," he noted. By helping organizations grasp their AI application footprint and manage governance controls, Noma not only minimizes risks but also builds confidence for companies to expand their AI initiatives into more critical areas of their business.
Rapid Growth and Future Plans
Founded in 2023, Noma Security already boasts several paying customers, including Fortune 500 companies across B2B software, financial services, and retail sectors. The startup recently secured $25 million in a Series A funding round, which, according to Braun, was accelerated by investors eager to support their vision— even though Noma had sufficient funds already.
"We decided to accept the [$25 million] to accelerate our development and go-to-market efforts," Braun explained, highlighting plans to double the size of their 20-person team in the next year.
Led by Ballistic Ventures, the Series A funding brings Noma’s total capital raised to an impressive $32 million, including a previously undisclosed $7 million seed round led by Glilot Capital Partners with participation from Cyber Club London.
The Road Ahead
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the need for secure frameworks becomes more critical than ever. Companies must navigate the risks while reaping the benefits of AI’s extraordinary capabilities.
In this era of technological advancement, Noma Security is well-positioned to provide vital solutions that enhance security in the data and AI lifecycle. It’s not just about mitigating risks; it’s about empowering organizations to harness AI safely and effectively for high-value business operations.
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.
