Astra Security, a cybersecurity startup that specializes in artificial intelligence-driven penetration testing, has recently secured $2.7 million in early-stage funding. This funding will be used to further enhance the company’s AI capabilities and expand its cloud offerings.
Established in 2018, Astra offers a platform that simplifies the cybersecurity process of penetration testing, also known as pentesting. Pentesting involves simulating an attack on a computer network from the perspective of a malicious actor to identify vulnerabilities. With the rise of AI code generation and continuous delivery practices, the volume of code being shipped has increased significantly. This expansion in code also means a larger “attack surface” for potential vulnerabilities and exploits, making AI-driven penetration testing essential in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
Using AI technology, Astra mimics the behavior of hackers to identify vulnerabilities in various targets. Last year alone, Astra’s pentesting platform discovered nearly 5,500 vulnerabilities per day for its clients, a number that is expected to triple by the end of the year. According to Shikhil Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Astra Security, the company is focused on building a continuous pentest platform that emulates hacker behavior and conducts AI-driven attacks across web apps, APIs, and cloud environments.
Unlike traditional pentesting methods that occur periodically and produce lengthy vulnerability reports, Astra’s platform can be triggered at any time as a pentest-as-a-service. Its AI-powered scanners can be seamlessly integrated into development lifecycle processes, allowing for on-demand testing whenever changes are made to the system. This proactive approach ensures that vulnerabilities are identified promptly and effectively.
Astra’s underlying AI-powered offensive scanning engine correlates vulnerabilities across different targets, making it easier to detect and address potential security risks. The company also has a team of security engineers who work alongside the AI threat engine to identify and resolve vulnerabilities that may have been missed during scanning. This continuous feedback loop helps enhance the AI’s threat detection capabilities and keep it up-to-date with the latest exploits.
In addition to its AI-driven scanning engine, Astra provides developers with access to a chatbot called Astranaut for quick assistance in addressing critical vulnerabilities. The chatbot leverages AI technology to provide actionable insights based on the vulnerability and the customer’s technology stack. For more complex issues, developers can request support from security experts who will respond within 24 to 48 hours.
Last year, Astra’s customer base included a mix of mid-sized and large organizations, such as Loom Inc., Sunglass Hut, HackerRank, Mamaearth, the University of Cambridge, CompTIA, and Prime Healthcare. With over 800 engineering teams across 70 countries using its platform, Astra has established itself as a trusted provider of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.
The recent funding round, led by Emergent Ventures, marks a significant milestone for Astra Security. The company plans to utilize the funds to further develop its AI capabilities and provide advanced vulnerability detection services to developers and security engineers. Other participants in the funding round include Neon Fund, Better Capital, Blume Ventures, and PointOne Capital.
Overall, Astra Security’s innovative approach to cybersecurity through AI-driven penetration testing is poised to impact the industry positively, offering organizations a proactive and effective way to enhance their security posture.