by Jonathan P-Wright | Jan 18, 2024 | Business News, Latest |
Guardz, an Israeli cybersecurity startup, providing all-in-one security and cyber insurance solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs), has successfully raised $18M in a Series A round of funding.
The Increasing Cybersecurity Threats for SMBs
With the advent of AI technologies, the cybersecurity landscape is shifting. SMBs, which were once considered safe from cyberattacks due to their size and fragmented nature, are now becoming a prime target for cybercriminals.
According to some estimates, SMBs now account for roughly half of all cyber breaches worldwide.
The reason behind this shift is the development of AI-powered cyber attack tools that allow malicious actors to launch large-scale attacks with ease. These AI technologies have made it possible to exploit vulnerabilities within SMBs, causing a spike in cyber threats.
Guardz’s Journey: From Stealth Mode to $18M
Founded less than a year ago, in January 2023, Guardz has swiftly pivoted from its initial business model. Initially, the company aimed to sell its security solutions directly to SMBs. However, it soon realized that Managed Service Providers (MSPs), who sell and manage IT services for SMBs, were the primary route to reach its target audience.
As a result, instead of direct business, Guardz began partnering with MSPs, enabling them to offer their own services “powered” by Guardz.
Funding and Growth
Guardz’s recent fundraising round, led by Glilot+, the early growth fund of Glilot Capital Partners, with participation from ClearSky, Hanaco Ventures, iAngels, and GKFF Ventures, has raised another $18M.
The company’s valuation has tripled since its last fundraising round, indicating a strong investor confidence in its business model and growth potential.
With this funding, Guardz aims to hire more engineering talent to continue developing its product. Currently, the company’s product is primarily sold to customers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. It has about 200 MSPs on its books, representing some 36,000 seats using Guardz’s products.
Guardz’s AI-Based Security Solution
Guardz’s solution is an AI-based platform that provides robust security comparable to what larger organizations use. It offers its security platform as a managed service, which means the customer doesn’t have to manage it directly.
Guardz’s platform automatically detects malicious activity, provides remediation, and generates activity reports for further analysis by the MSP.
To combat the ever-evolving cyber threats, Guardz constantly expands its toolset. For instance, the company recently developed detection and remediation tools for a new type of cyber attack involving automated forwarding rules in Microsoft 365.
Guardz’s Future Plans
Guardz’s immediate plan is to use the funding to enhance its product and expand its customer base. Given the size of the SMB market and the increasing cybersecurity threats they face, Guardz has a huge potential for growth.
With over 150,000 MSPs globally serving the SMB market, Guardz has the opportunity to secure a significant share of this market.
The Bigger Picture: Cybersecurity for SMBs
Guardz is not alone in recognizing the importance of cybersecurity for SMBs. Other companies, such as CyberSmart in the U.K., CrowdStrike, and Check Point, are also competing in this growing market.
However, Guardz stands out with its all-in-one security and cyber insurance service, its focus on partnering with MSPs, and its AI-based automated threat detection and remediation tools. As SMBs continue to face increasing cyber threats, solutions like Guardz will become even more critical.
by Laghe Andrews | Jan 18, 2024 | Latest, Music News |
Renowned music voice, Fat Joe, recently took to Instagram to address rumors surrounding his alleged association with the infamous Jeffrey Epstein. This incident highlights the pervasive issue of misinformation, particularly in relation to Epstein’s case.
The Backstory: A Rampant Spread of Misinformation
Misinformation has been a troubling aspect of Epstein’s case, with its tendrils reaching out far and wide over the years. This has been particularly evident in the wake of recently unsealed court documents related to the case. Interestingly, these documents did not mention Fat Joe, yet a fraudulent list implicating him began circulating.
Fat Joe Speaks Out: A Resounding Response
Fat Joe, known for his candidness, addressed this issue head-on through an Instagram Live update. He expressed his disdain for Epstein and categorically denied any association with him.
“I don’t know that man. They had me on a fake list! You guys wish I was on an Epstein list. Regardless of how Epstein died, he was corrupt. He does not deserve respect, even in death,” Fat Joe said.
Echoes of Misinformation: Public Figures Targeted
Fat Joe is not the first public figure to be ensnared in the web of Epstein-related misinformation. Previously, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and actress Whoopi Goldberg were also victims of false claims about connections to Epstein.
Kimmel’s Response: Debunking the Myths
Jimmy Kimmel addressed these rumors during his show, dismissing them as ludicrous and attributing their origin to resentment over his mockery of New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ vaccination status.
Goldberg’s Stand: Calling Out the ‘Insane’
Whoopi Goldberg also found herself at the center of false Epstein rumors. She debunked these on an episode of The View, calling the claims “insane” and dismissing other false rumors she’s been falsely associated with in recent months.
Conclusion: The Power of Speaking Out
In conclusion, Fat Joe’s outspoken response to the false rumors associated with him and Epstein is a testament to the power of speaking out against misinformation. It highlights the importance of public figures using their platforms to challenge false narratives and promote truth.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of questioning the validity of information we come across, particularly in the age of digital media where misinformation can spread like wildfire. By speaking out, public figures like Fat Joe, Jimmy Kimmel, and Whoopi Goldberg are doing their part to combat the spread of such harmful narratives.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Jan 18, 2024 | Latest, Music News |
R. Kelly, the famed artist, recently claimed oblivion to a lawsuit that led to a court awarding six women a whopping $10.5 million. The lawsuit was in response to alleged threats that resulted in the cancellation of the docuseries screening, Surviving R. Kelly.
The Unnoticed Lawsuit
According to court documents that TMZ managed to acquire, Kelly insisted that he would have contested the lawsuit if he had been cognizant of it. The singer pointed out that he was overwhelmed with legal issues and had to modify his legal counsel. Amidst these changes, this particular lawsuit might have slipped through unnoticed.
“In case he did receive the lawsuit, Kelly argues his linguistic capability is equivalent to a grade schooler’s, and he heavily relies on his lawyers for an understandable explanation.”
This statement underscored the artist’s alleged inability to fully comprehend the lawsuit’s implications.
Allegations and Threats
R. Kelly, along with his then-manager Donnell Russell, were accused of persistently threatening six women who were featured in the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries. The duo also reportedly intimidated the women and the docuseries producers with potential legal action.
“The lawsuit alleges that a Dec. 2018 screening in New York City was called off after someone from Kelly’s team threatened to ‘shoot up’ the venue.”
The Blame Game
In the latest court documents, Kelly disputed Russell’s role as his manager and suggested that if Russell was the source of the threat leading to the screening’s termination, the blame should be placed solely on Russell.
“He did that for his own reasons,” Kelly stated, distancing himself from Russell’s actions.
Russell was consequently sentenced to a year in prison due to the lawsuit’s fallout.
A Heavy Sentence
R. Kelly was handed a 30-year prison sentence in 2022 after being found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. Additionally, he was sentenced to 20 more years for child sex crimes, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the celebrated artist.
Conclusion
The R. Kelly saga underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in the music industry. Despite the artist’s claims of unawareness, the court’s ruling speaks volumes about the alleged misconduct. As music news continues to unfold, we can only hope for justice and a safer environment for artists and fans alike.
As the R. Kelly story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within the music industry. Regardless of the artist’s claims of unawareness, the court’s ruling sends a clear message about the allegations of misconduct. As this music news continues to unfold, we can only hope for justice and a safer environment for artists and fans alike.
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