Big50-2017 Startup Spotlight: Skyport Systems

Skyport Systems

What they do: Provide a “remotely managed platform that establishes a secure enclave for the enterprise’s most critical applications.”

Problem they solve: Cyber-security is an ongoing problem for organizations of all sizes. Application security is a newer security niche, but one with plenty of issues still plaguing it.

How they solve it: According to the startup, the Skyport SkySecure platform “provides secure enclaves that protect key business applications without compromising performance.” Skyport claims to have “rearchitected the x86 hardware and software stack, transforming it into a turnkey, trusted system with embedded security.”

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Skyport moves security from the network perimeter to directly around the application itself. The application runs in a secure compartment on hardened infrastructure on the user’s on-premises equipment.

Security and infrastructure management are integrated and delivered as a service. In essence, the user gets the benefits and ease of use of the cloud, without having to give up control of their data.

In 2017, Skyport added new features, including its Hybrid Cloud Edge solution. This is an addition to SkySecure that allows network architects to retain control of security and visibility into their hybrid cloud environments, while providing DevOps speed, agility, and ability to delegate application policy to the app owners themselves.

Headquarters: Mountain View, CA

CEO: Art Gilliland. He previously served as the SVP & GM for the Enterprise Security Products group at Hewlett Packard. Prior to that, he was the SVP of Information Security Products for Symantec.

Year Founded: 2013

Funding: Skyport is backed by $67 million in VC funding from Cisco Investments, GV, Index Ventures, InstantScale Ventures, Intel Capital, Northgate Capital, Sutter Hill Ventures, and Thomvest Ventures.

Competitors include: Skyport will compete against incumbent security providers, such as Symantec and RSA, as well as startups such as GuardiCore and Illumio.

They’ll also compete against managed/cloud security and application security companies, including Veracode and Blue Coat, as well as such startups as Illumio and Ixia.

Customers Include: NPD, Rambus, Plex, and Juniper.

Why they’re in the Big 50-2017: Skyport is a two-time winner! Last year, Skyport finished first in Big 50 online voting for the Security and Storage group.

This year, the company has marched forward along its product roadmap, rolling out several new SkySecure enhancements. Skyport has also attracted positive analyst and media attention, and conducted research into Active Directory vulnerabilities, while also rolling out new AD protections.