Benjamin Harris, the CEO of watchTowr, has had a fascinating journey to the top of his latest startup. As a teenager, he was expelled from school due to his fascination with hacking and computer technology. After receiving an ultimatum from his family, he quickly turned his offensive security talents into a career, working for security testing firm Portcullis and later joining F-Secure as a technical director.

Now, as the head of watchTowr, Harris has raised $8 million in a pre-series A round for his Singapore-headquartered startup. The company provides automated threat surface mapping and vulnerability hunting, identifying critical vulnerabilities that are already being exploited in the wild. Its goal is to act as an always-on scanner for anything publicly exposed, identifying weaknesses that need to be addressed to improve a company’s security posture.

In a recent interview, Harris explained that watchTowr focuses on identifying exploitable, validated vulnerabilities that attackers could use against an organization. The company utilizes three primary engines to accomplish this goal: identifying what an organization has exposed to the internet, breaking into these systems, and rapidly reacting to new vulnerabilities as they emerge.

As the threat surface continues to evolve, with a growing emphasis on exploiting external devices and perimeters rather than relying solely on phishing attacks, watchTowr’s approach to security testing and vulnerability identification has become increasingly relevant. Harris and his team at watchTowr have made a name for themselves by identifying critical vulnerabilities in SSL VPN appliances, shedding light on the risks associated with these often-overlooked devices.

In the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, where new vulnerabilities and exploits are constantly emerging, watchTowr’s approach to automated threat surface mapping and vulnerability hunting is proving to be essential for organizations looking to stay ahead of potential threats. By providing organizations with real-time information about their exposed systems and identifying weaknesses that attackers could exploit, watchTowr is helping companies improve their security posture and protect their valuable data and assets.

Harris’s journey from a teenage hacker facing expulsion from school to the CEO of a successful startup is a testament to his determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Through watchTowr, he is making a significant impact in the world of cybersecurity, helping organizations navigate the ever-changing threat landscape and stay one step ahead of potential attackers.

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