Exium Company Profile

Background

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Exium is a cybersecurity firm specializing in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions tailored for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The company's mission is to empower MSPs with a comprehensive, cloud-native security platform that integrates multiple controls for ultimate protection. Exium's vision is to transform the way lean IT teams connect and secure their users, offices, and devices by integrating networking and security into a cloud-delivered Zero Trust platform powered by open source.

Key Strategic Focus

Exium's strategic focus centers on delivering a unified SASE-XDR platform that simplifies security and compliance for SMB and mid-market clients. The company's core objectives include providing a single platform with a comprehensive set of integrated security tools, allowing for immediate security coverage and the flexibility to activate additional tools as needed. Exium's primary markets include MSPs and their clients, offering solutions that are device and network agnostic, and users can benefit from 5G clean network security and privacy on 4G, Wi-Fi, fiber, cable, or even satellite networks.

Financials and Funding

As of December 2023, Exium secured $6 million in a seed funding round. The company has reported a 10x growth in annual recurring revenue (ARR) driven by adoption from mid-market customers, federal government agencies, a Fortune 500 company, and the addition of major distributors across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Exium's Intelligent Cybersecurity Mesh platform is built on 5G core technology and cloud-native constructs, offering an integrated networking and security solution designed for distributed environments with stringent requirements. The platform combines functionalities traditionally delivered by separate hardware products, such as firewalls, VPNs, secure web gateways, and SD-WANs, into an all-in-one SaaS solution. This allows lean IT teams to deploy a secure, carrier-grade network within minutes, reducing total cost of ownership by over 50%.

Leadership Team

Farooq Khan: Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Previously served as CEO at Phazr and President of Samsung Research America.

Mike Gallagher: President and Chief Operating Officer. Former CEO at SpiderCloud Wireless and FiberTower, and President of Flarion Technologies.

Farooq Muzaffar: Chief Product Officer.

Umanath Lanka: Head of Engineering.

Tyler Smith: Chief Revenue Officer.

Rama Reddy: Chief Software Architect.

David Nuti: Chief Marketing Officer.

Amit Chawre: Networking.

Saurabh Pandey: Systems Engineering.

Prabhat Kumar: DevOps/Cloud Operations.

The leadership team brings diverse expertise from top-tier companies such as Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, Nord Security, Samsung, and Verizon.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The SASE market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing need for integrated networking and security solutions in distributed environments. Organizations are seeking to replace legacy VPNs and network security with cloud-native platforms that offer comprehensive protection across all connected devices.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the SASE space include Cato Networks, Netskope, and Zscaler. These companies offer their own networks to carry customer traffic, whereas Exium's solution runs in existing public clouds, providing a cloud-native approach. Exium differentiates itself by integrating SASE with Extended Detection and Response (XDR) capabilities, offering a unified platform that simplifies security and compliance for MSPs and their clients.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

IBM: In September 2021, Exium collaborated with IBM to offer edge computing solutions based on Red Hat OpenShift. This partnership aims to integrate Exium's secure network-as-a-service across 5G-based hybrid cloud environments.

ConnectWise: In November 2022, ConnectWise selected Exium to deliver SASE cybersecurity to its partner ecosystem, enabling IT solution providers to offer internet security, zero-trust resource access, and replace multiple legacy products with Exium's unified platform.

Novatech: In August 2023, Novatech announced a strategic partnership with Exium to reinforce its cybersecurity capabilities for managed services, leveraging Exium's zero-trust platform.

Operational Insights

Exium's cloud-native solution provides an integrated security and networking solution, aligned with top-of-mind Zero Trust initiatives, and offers flexibility and adaptability as well as integration into IT and security operations functions. The company's focus on MSPs and their clients allows for a tailored approach that addresses the unique challenges faced by these organizations.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Exium's strategic roadmap includes expanding its partnerships and collaborations to further enhance its platform's capabilities and reach. The company's focus on integrating SASE with XDR positions it to address the evolving security needs of organizations in an increasingly complex threat landscape. By leveraging its cloud-native approach and commitment to open-source technologies, Exium aims to continue providing innovative solutions that simplify security and compliance for MSPs and their clients.