Sanaz Yashar, a former member of Israel’s elite cyber surveillance Unit 8200, has raised $30 million for her new cybersecurity startup, Zafran. The company aims to help prevent cyber attacks by identifying and mitigating existing vulnerabilities in a customer’s network. Yashar’s background, which includes fleeing from Iran to Israel as a teenager, has provided her with unique insights into Farsi and Iranian culture, making her a valuable asset for gathering intelligence on her homeland.
Zafran’s technology scans a customer’s network and analyzes application programming interfaces (APIs) to identify weaknesses and recommend controls to mitigate the risk. The goal is to make cybersecurity more accessible to non-technical executives by providing actionable insights in a user-friendly format. Yashar likens the product to a self-healing platform that can help companies repel cyber threats and protect their data.
The idea for Zafran was born out of a frustration with the prevalence of preventable cyber attacks. Yashar, along with her cofounders Ben Seri and Snir Havdala, saw the potential for a solution that could proactively address vulnerabilities and prevent breaches before they occur. The startup has already attracted significant funding from prominent venture capitalists, including Doug Leone of Sequoia and Gili Raanan of Cyberstarts.
Despite the crowded cybersecurity market, Zafran believes it has a unique approach that can help businesses better protect themselves from online threats. The company’s focus on understanding a client’s network topology and leveraging existing controls to mitigate threats sets it apart from traditional cybersecurity solutions. With a growing list of customers, Zafran is poised for rapid expansion and aims to establish a repeatable sales model to drive growth.
Yashar’s extensive experience in Israeli intelligence and the private sector has equipped her with the knowledge and expertise needed to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity. Her involvement in high-profile investigations, such as the NotPetya attacks in Ukraine, has given her a deep understanding of the tactics used by cybercriminals. This experience has been instrumental in the development of Zafran’s technology and approach to cybersecurity.
As Zafran emerges from stealth mode and announces its funding, the company is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry. With a focus on helping businesses prevent data breaches and mitigate cyber threats, Zafran has the potential to revolutionize the way companies approach cybersecurity. Yashar’s unique background and expertise make her a valuable asset in the fight against cybercrime, and Zafran’s innovative approach could be a game-changer for businesses looking to protect their data and networks.
