Bitglass secured $10m in series B funding Wednesday, which the company plans to use to bolster development and marketing efforts for its cloud-based mobile security management service
Bitglass, a startup that just emerged from stealth mode Wednesday announced that it has secured $10m in a series B funding round led by Norwest Venture Partners. The company plans to bolster sales and development efforts for its flagship cloud-based mobile security solution, which claims to enable businesses to ensure corporate mobile security without trading off employee privacy.
Bitglass is a mobile security solution that operates almost like a SaaS-based single sign-on solution. It lets enterprises chose which corporate file stores and cloud services (Dropbox, Google Apps, etc.) they want linked to the service, and funnels the data through its proxy server – where it is automatically earmarked, allowing it to be tracked.
But unlike most MDM and mobile security solutions like recently acquired AirWatch or IBM’s FiberLink, it doesn’t require an app or mobile device profile on the device to work, nor does the data have to go through a corporate network. It simply tracks the data that passes through the proxy.
Its approach is quite different to traditional app sandboxing or similar mobile security implementations, and aims to make it easier for employees to bring their own devices in without forcing much overhead or complexity on the IT department when the company wants to manage how corporate data is used on those devices.
“The onset of cloud and mobile has fuelled a security vs. privacy conflict between IT departments and employees. IT wants to empower employees with the latest technology, but must secure corporate data; employees expect to use cloud apps and BYOD for work without their employer viewing their personal activities. Bitglass resolves the conflict,” the company said.
The service also allows IT to remotely wipe the earmarked data – leaving apps and other information intact; it doesn’t track all mobile activity, just the way earmarked data is used.
“We utilize cloud apps and mobile devices in our personal lives because they are easy to use, anytime, anywhere. Naturally, we also want to use this technology in the workplace,” said Nat Kausik, chief executive officer and co-founder of Bitglass. “Bitglass enables IT to move forward with these technologies, providing security for the organization and a frictionless experience for employees.”