10 network security startups to look out for in 2025

What are network security startups?

Think of network security startups as the new guards watching over company networks. Instead of selling the same old security tools, they create fresh solutions for all those new cyber threats. They’re smaller than the big security companies, but that’s what lets them adapt quickly when new threats pop up.

Top network security startups

Complete list of the most network security startups that are worth knowing:

Netskope

Founded in 2012, Netskope provides cloud security software to help businesses protect their data and apps in the cloud. Their platform gives companies more visibility into how employees access information across cloud services, websites, and private company networks.

Like a guard at the entrance, Netskope checks what data is going in and out of cloud apps. This helps companies spot risky activities like someone downloading customer data or logging into a phishing site. Netskope also blocks known threats.

Infoblox

Founded in 1999, Infoblox provides critical technology to manage domain name system (DNS) infrastructure for organizations. DNS is like the phonebook of the internet – it translates easy-to-remember domain names like www.google.com to the numerical IP addresses that computers use to connect.

Keeping DNS running smoothly is essential for any business. However, DNS technology and servers require specialized expertise to secure and maintain. Infoblox offers DNS management as an automated cloud service to solve those challenges.

Acalvio

Founded in 2015, Acalvio has developed an innovative cybersecurity solution for detecting and stopping malicious hackers before they can cause damage. Their platform leverages two key techniques – deception and data science to provide comprehensive threat defense.

The deception aspect involves setting up fakes of an organization’s digital assets like files, websites, and databases. These mimics attract attacker attention without exposing the real assets. By engaging with false resources, hackers reveal their presence and methods earlier than usual.

Illumio

Founded in 2013, Illumio provides cybersecurity products to protect company data and applications stored in the cloud. As more businesses use public clouds from vendors like AWS, their critical systems can be vulnerable to hackers. Illumio offers safeguards tailored for this cloud environment.

The Illumio platform creates a detailed map showing how different cloud apps and services interact so teams understand the pathways data can flow. Think of this as an internal roadmap for data traffic. Illumio uses this visibility to enforce tight security rules blocking unwanted access.

Corelight

Founded in 2013, Corelight provides software that helps government agencies and companies analyze threats and security issues on their computer networks. Their platform is designed to detect unusual or potentially harmful activity across an organization’s devices, servers, and internet connections.

For example, Corelight can track hacking attempts, data stolen by an insider, or policy violations by employees. Their software works by installing “sensors” that monitor network traffic in real-time. It’s like placing surveillance cameras across all digital activity. These sensors gather data about every interaction, and then Corelight’s analytics track patterns to spotlight abnormal events.

Lookout

Lookout is a cybersecurity company that focuses on protecting mobile devices like smartphones and tablets from hacking attempts and malware. They make software that can predict and stop attacks before any damage happens to an individual user or business network.

The Lookout app uses advanced machine learning technology to analyze mobile traffic and system activity to detect risks. By studying vast amounts of mobile code and past attack patterns, their software learns to identify even new types of dangers. The app then blocks any risky downloads or connections to keep mobile devices secure.

Offensive Security

Founded in 2007, Offensive Security is a cybersecurity training school with a unique approach, they believe the best defense comes from understanding the offense. Their courses put students in the shoes of hackers, teaching them to use the same tools and techniques that criminals employ to breach systems.

By experiencing first-hand how networks and devices can be infiltrated, students gain valuable insight into vulnerabilities. Offensive Security courses cover password cracking, social engineering, web exploitation, penetration testing, and open-source intelligence gathering. Students tap into the hacking mindset to expose security flaws.

Emburse

Founded in 2015, Emburse provides software that automates repetitive finance and travel administration tasks for companies. Their goal is to free up employee time previously spent on manual reporting, approvals, and compliance processes.

For business travelers, Emburse automatically captures spending details and receipts. This eliminates paperwork hassles. The platform also streamlines submitting travel reports for approval and reimbursement based on company policies.

Cybereason

Founded in 2012, Cybereason created a specialized technology platform that works like a cybersecurity search engine for malicious operations inside an organization’s systems. Their software automatically pieces together all the digital footprints left behind by hackers. It reconstructs the full sequence of steps in an attack in a detailed context.

Like forensic scientists at a crime scene, their technology follows a trail of digital evidence. Every file read, command executed, and network connection made by attackers gets incorporated into an actionable storyline. This exposes what the hackers accessed, how they moved between devices, and whether operations are still active.

BigID

Founded in 2016, BigID protects personal data for companies and helps them follow privacy laws. Organizations store more customer and employee information than ever before. But data breaches expose records, and new regulations threaten big fines for violations.

BigID finds where sensitive personal data hides across an organization’s systems. Their platform uncovers files containing things like names, addresses, social security numbers, and browsing behavior. BigID catalogs each data point and tracks who accesses it.

Conclusion

While big tech companies still dominate cybersecurity, these smaller players are proving that innovation often comes from nimble teams willing to try new approaches. As cyber threats continue to rise, keep an eye on these startups, they might just develop the security tool your company needs next.