Estonia's Blackwall Secures €45 Million in Series B Funding to Safeguard SMBs Against Malicious Online Threats

Estonia’s Blackwall Secures €45 Million in Series B Funding to Safeguard SMBs Against Malicious Online Threats

In today’s digital landscape, a significant portion of online traffic is generated by bots, both beneficial and harmful. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has contributed to an increase in malicious bot activity. Businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs), are facing a renewed wave of cybersecurity threats, from DDoS attacks to data scraping.

The Growing Threat of Malicious Bots

According to cybersecurity expert Nikita Rozenberg, the impact of these threats is particularly devastating for SMBs. He states, “The main difference is that large enterprises typically can survive with that. Most of these threats can simply kill small businesses.”

Introducing Blackwall: A Solution for SMBs

To combat these challenges, Rozenberg founded Blackwall, an Estonia-based startup formerly known as BotGuard. Blackwall shares similarities with established security firms like CloudFlare and Imperva, but it primarily focuses on the needs of SMBs.

Innovative Products to Combat Ad Fraud

Blackwall has recently launched an ad fraud prevention product designed to protect e-commerce websites from bot-driven ad spending losses. This proactive approach is part of the company’s broader product roadmap and highlights its commitment to safeguarding SMBs.

Funding and Future Growth

Blackwall’s rapid development of new applications has attracted the attention of Dawn Capital, a B2B-focused venture capital firm. The startup successfully secured a €45 million Series B funding round (approximately $49.2 million), which will enable it to enhance its product offerings beyond its flagship solution, GateKeeper.

GateKeeper: Real-Time Threat Protection

GateKeeper functions as a reverse proxy that inspects and analyzes traffic in real-time. Utilizing AI, it filters out malicious requests, including those from harmful bots and intruders. This innovative solution underscores Blackwall’s commitment to providing robust security for its clients.

READ ALSO  Dream Secures $100M in Series B Funding to Strengthen National Cybersecurity Initiatives

Strategic Partnerships for Expansion

Blackwall has adopted a unique channel model for distribution, partnering with intermediaries such as hosting service providers and e-commerce platforms. This strategy allows SMBs to access advanced security solutions without the burden of high in-house development costs. By collaborating with over 100 partners, Blackwall has quickly scaled its operations since launching in 2019.

Scaling Up and Looking Ahead

With a dedicated team of 65, Blackwall’s services are now utilized across more than 2.3 million websites and applications. The recent funding will enable the startup to double its workforce and expand its footprint into the U.S. and APAC markets.

Support from Dawn Capital and MMC Ventures, which previously led Blackwall’s €12 million Series A round, will be instrumental in this expansion. As the company continues to innovate and grow, it remains focused on providing effective solutions for SMBs facing the ever-evolving landscape of online threats.

For more insights into cybersecurity solutions tailored for small businesses, check our related articles on Cybersecurity for SMBs.

Similar Posts

Clop Ransomware Gang Exposes Dozens of Victims in Cleo Mass-Hack: Firms Challenge Breach Claims

Clop Ransomware Gang Exposes Dozens of Victims in Cleo Mass-Hack: Firms Challenge Breach Claims

Bysupport

The Clop ransomware gang has claimed responsibility for hacking 59 organizations by exploiting vulnerabilities in Cleo’s file transfer software, including LexiCom and VLTransfer. Cleo disclosed the flaw in October 2024, but mass exploitation began in December. Clop threatens to release stolen data on January 18 if ransom demands are not met. While German company Covestro confirmed unauthorized access, others like Hertz and Linfox dispute Clop’s claims, stating they found no evidence of breaches. Additional organizations, such as Arrow Electronics, have reported similar findings, raising concerns about potential further data breaches as Clop plans to list more victims.

Valve Takes Action: Steam Game Pulled for Malware Threats!

Valve Takes Action: Steam Game Pulled for Malware Threats!

Bysupport

Valve has removed the game PirateFi from its Steam platform due to malware concerns, alarming users who may have downloaded it. The game, which was marketed as a survival experience, has led Valve to advise affected players to fully reformat their operating systems and run thorough antivirus scans. Users are also urged to check for unfamiliar software on their systems. While PirateFi had a strong rating of 9/10, the specific type of malware has not been disclosed. This incident underscores the increasing threat of malware in gaming, with past cases involving infostealer malware targeting gamers.

Highnote Secures $90M in Series B Funding to Transform U.S. Merchant Acquiring Landscape

Highnote Secures $90M in Series B Funding to Transform U.S. Merchant Acquiring Landscape

Bysupport

Highnote, a leader in financial technology, has successfully closed a $90 million Series B funding round, led by Adams Street Partners with contributions from several notable investors. The company launched a new merchant acquiring solution, enhancing its platform that integrates card issuing and acquiring functionalities for efficient pay-in and pay-out solutions. Highnote’s solution allows online card payment acceptance through plug-in checkout systems and tailored solutions. The funding will support the expansion of Highnote’s embedded finance services, aiming for growth and market reach in the U.S. CEO John MacIlwaine emphasized the importance of this integration for enhancing their offerings.

Revealed: Inside China's AI Censorship Machine – Leaked Data Uncovers the Truth

Revealed: Inside China’s AI Censorship Machine – Leaked Data Uncovers the Truth

Bysupport

A leaked dataset has revealed an advanced AI censorship system in China, enhancing government control over online discourse. The dataset contains about 133,000 examples of flagged content, covering sensitive topics like the Tiananmen Square massacre, pollution, and labor disputes. Experts, including UC Berkeley’s Xiao Qiang, note that this system, which utilizes large language models, increases censorship efficiency beyond traditional methods. Found by security researcher NetAskari on an unsecured Baidu server, the dataset raises concerns about data privacy. This AI-driven approach indicates a systematic effort to suppress dissent and manipulate public opinion under the Cyberspace Administration of China.

Russian Zero-Day Seller Targets Telegram Exploits with Up to $4 Million Bounty

Russian Zero-Day Seller Targets Telegram Exploits with Up to $4 Million Bounty

Bysupport

Operation Zero, a key player in the zero-day market, plans to acquire exploits for Telegram, offering up to $4 million for various vulnerabilities. This includes up to $500,000 for a one-click remote code execution (RCE) exploit and $1.5 million for a zero-click RCE exploit. The focus on Telegram is strategic due to its popularity in Russia and Ukraine, despite security concerns over its lack of default end-to-end encryption. The rising demand for zero-day exploits underscores the risks to user privacy and data protection, as government entities and private firms seek these valuable vulnerabilities amid escalating cybersecurity threats.

North Korea's 2024 Crypto Heists: How $659M Was Stolen Through Fake Job Scams

US Lifts Sanctions on Tornado Cash: Implications for Crypto Mixing and North Korean Money Laundering

Bysupport

The U.S. Treasury has lifted sanctions on Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer previously accused of laundering $7 billion linked to North Korean hackers. This decision has ignited debate in the cryptocurrency community about its regulatory implications. Tornado Cash obscures transaction origins and has faced criticism for facilitating illicit activities. In 2022, it was labeled a “notorious” entity due to its ties to North Korea’s cyber thefts. Despite ongoing concerns about North Korean cyber threats, the Treasury allowed U.S. individuals and businesses to engage with Tornado Cash legally, raising questions about the balance between innovation and security in cryptocurrency regulation.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *