Sanaz Yashar, a former member of Israel’s elite cyber surveillance Unit 8200, has raised $30 million for a new cybersecurity startup called Zafran. The company aims to prevent spies and cybercriminals from exploiting known vulnerabilities to break into companies’ networks. Yashar, who has a background in biology, uses her expertise to develop a self-healing platform that helps companies mitigate the risk of cyberattacks using their existing technologies. The average data breach costs a victim company $4.5 million, according to IBM data, making cybersecurity a pressing issue for businesses.
The idea for Zafran came about during an investigation of a ransomware hack at a hospital, where Yashar and her future co-founders realized that the facility had the technology to prevent the breach but failed to do so. This led them to create a product that scans a customer’s network and identifies vulnerabilities, then provides recommendations on how to mitigate them using existing controls. With $30 million in funding from prominent investors like Doug Leone of Sequoia and Gili Raanan of Cyberstarts, Zafran is focused on rapid growth and plans to help companies defend against cyber threats more effectively.
The cybersecurity industry is crowded with companies claiming to protect businesses from online threats in a market worth $1 trillion. Zafran will need to convince security executives that its product can effectively combat cyberattacks and prevent data breaches. Yashar’s experience in Israeli intelligence and private sector cybersecurity roles has prepared her for this challenge, as she has worked on high-profile cases like the NotPetya cyberattack, which was attributed to Russian spies by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Yashar’s extensive experience in understanding and combating cyber threats gives her a unique perspective in developing cybersecurity solutions. With a background in biology and a deep understanding of adversaries’ tactics, she is well-equipped to lead Zafran in addressing the growing threat of cybercrime. By providing customers with actionable recommendations to strengthen their network security, Yashar aims to help companies defend against cyber threats more effectively and mitigate the financial impact of data breaches.
With 12 customers already on board, including a healthcare organization, Zafran is on track for success in a competitive cybersecurity market. The company’s focus on leveraging existing technologies to enhance network security sets it apart from other cybersecurity solutions, and its emphasis on customization and mitigation strategies has attracted attention from industry experts. As Zafran continues to grow and expand its customer base, Yashar’s unique background and expertise will play a key role in driving the company’s success in the cybersecurity industry.
In a field where innovation is key to staying ahead of cybercriminals, Zafran’s approach to cybersecurity offers a new perspective on protecting businesses from online threats. By helping companies identify and address vulnerabilities in their networks, Zafran aims to empower organizations to defend against cyberattacks and minimize the financial and reputational damage caused by data breaches. With Yashar’s leadership and experience guiding the company, Zafran is poised to make a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry and help businesses navigate the complex and evolving landscape of cyber threats.
