BlueVoyant: Five Years Later

The seed was borne out of a need for companies to better defend themselves against increasing cyber threats. Over the past 15 years, for all the positive technological advancements being developed at what seems like the speed of light, a nefarious side latched onto tools that could expose cybersecurity weaknesses. For a time, it appeared threat actors had the upper hand against those under-prepared to protect themselves.

Despite an uptick in cyber defense spending, it was clear companies were struggling with myriad challenges, such as preventing adversaries from stealing intellectual property and client data, preventing ransomware attacks, and keeping their networks and business systems operational, just to name several drawbacks.

That’s why in 2017 I enlisted the help of Tom Glocer (executive chairman and co-founder) — as well as many former high-ranking officials in intelligence agencies — and those from some of the most advanced cyber defense environments in the world while founding BlueVoyant. The purpose was simple: fill a critical gap in cybersecurity and, equally important, do it well.

We have come a long way since then. With a sense of exhilaration, it’s exciting to say today marks our five-year anniversary.

Beginning with the early days, there was palpable excitement. A small team united in a cramped office space specially for one goal: to create the best cyber defense in the market. That palpable excitement continues and, without a doubt, it has grown exponentially since then.

Back then, looking five years ahead into my metaphorical crystal ball, I didn’t really know if we could pull it off. However, I knew we wanted to build world-class products and services with the best talent as a bedrock. We have been able to achieve that thanks in part to industry-leading proprietary data and analytics, iterated services and solutions, client and partner feedback, trends, and having the awareness to pivot when the industry demands it.

Now, over the next five years, we have momentum to go farther because of our industry-leading technologies and datasets.

Since 2017, that small client base and nimble team of employees has grown. We have amassed more than 700 clients from a range of industries across 30 countries. Our team now includes more than 650 employees spread across 20 countries. In other words, we’ve grown up — but we’re not stopping there. Our team has worked tirelessly to address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing companies and other entities.

BlueVoyant recently launched its Elements platform, which brings together managed detection and response, third-party cyber risk management, digital risk protection, and expert professional services in one end-to-end solution. It’s what we call a rock-solid cyber defense that converges internal and external cybersecurity through an outcomes-based, cloud-native defense platform that can be deployed as a full-spectrum solution or individual services.

It’s a mouthful but it also says so much about making an effective and positive impact.

Allow me to supply several key differentiators in how we have evolved:

• The platform provides the simplicity of cyber risk management through a “single pane of glass and single point of control.” Our platforms use machine learning to deliver a high level of automation to quickly detect and flag critical threats. These are then curated by experts to increase efficacy and virtually eliminate false positives

• Terrain: SCD (Supply Chain Defense) is unmatched by any competitor. Most companies in the supply chain space merely provide scores and leave remediation of problems in the hands of a client’s already overworked security team. We reach out directly to vendors and remediate vulnerabilities, including zero days, in as little as 90 minutes.
  

• Sky: DRP (Digital Risk Protection) not only monitors the clear, deep, and dark web, but also instant messaging platforms and social media. Our team works hard to take down even the most cleverly built phishing sites

• Core: MDR (Managed Detection and Response) technology is cloud-native, meaning data never has to leave our clients’ own cloud environment. Our MDR solution supports both Microsoft and Splunk’s cloud-security platforms

• Liquid: PS (Professional Services) offers experts to help you assess and improve your security posture, and respond to and remediate incidents. Our solutions use advanced technology that is constantly evolving to defend against new attack techniques.

In addition to the platform, we underwent a rebrand that better aligns with who we are at the core, allowing us to spread our message and solutions far and wide.

In no small terms, investors helped us reach more than unicorn valuation status. This past February, a Series D funding round came through, with participation from new and existing investors.

There is still much work to be done and we aren’t resting on our laurels. Today’s market requirements demonstrate a desire for more hosted programs, but the market wants them integrated. On a global scale, clients in this industry look for well-funded firms that have quick growth, can size and scale and, by the same token, are nimble enough to offer new technologies and top-of-the-line expertise.

That is BlueVoyant. Frankly, we have so much organic growth potential.

Whenever I reflect on why I started BlueVoyant, the same two fundamental thoughts come to the forefront. First, it was to supply excellent cybersecurity service. Second, it had to be done with unmatched effectiveness inside and outside the perimeter. In old positions, there had been frustration that we could not defend against unsavory events outside our perimeter. But I had confidence we could solve this by ideating and developing virtual protection through integrated internal and external security.

So here we are five years later. Let’s take a moment to pause and tip our hats to the anniversary, while also being mindful of the path ahead.

Really, it all comes back to the seed. Five years ago we saw that BlueteamGlobal seed take root and watched as it blossomed into the BlueVoyant of today.

James Rosenthal is BlueVoyant’s co-founder and CEO.