Harmonic Security

About Harmonic Security

Harmonic Security is a cybersecurity firm positioning itself at the forefront of data protection for the generative AI era. Founded in October 2023 by CEO Alastair Paterson and CTO Bryan Woolgar-O'Neil, the company operates with dual headquarters in London and San Francisco. The founding team brings a significant track record in the cybersecurity space, having previously established and led Digital Shadows, a threat intelligence and digital risk protection company, which was acquired for $160 million in 2022. This prior experience provided them with deep insights into how sensitive corporate data leaks, forming the foundational expertise for Harmonic Security's approach.

The company's core business is providing a 'zero-touch' data protection platform that enables enterprises to adopt AI tools without risking data security and privacy. It addresses the widespread issue of "Shadow AI," where employees use unregulated AI applications, potentially exposing sensitive company data. Harmonic's platform offers visibility into all AI tools being used across an organization, assesses their associated risks, and allows security teams to manage access and block sensitive content from being uploaded. The business model is B2B, targeting enterprise clients, with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) being the typical buyer. The company has secured over $26 million in funding, including a $7 million seed round in October 2023 and a $17.5 million Series A in October 2024, led by investors like Ten Eleven Ventures and Next47.

Harmonic's key product, Harmonic Protect, distinguishes itself from legacy data loss prevention (DLP) systems by eliminating the need for complex rule-setting and manual data labeling. Instead, it utilizes its own pre-trained, specialized large language models (LLMs) to detect sensitive data with high accuracy and speed, reportedly 300 times faster than general-purpose LLMs. A core feature, named 'Maestro', can be configured in plain English to understand and protect nuanced, context-specific data, such as M&A documents or insurance claims forms. Rather than creating alerts for security teams, the system often interacts directly with end-users, nudging them toward safer data handling practices. This approach is designed to secure data across all egress points, allowing companies to innovate with AI confidently. The company's progress was recognized when it was named a finalist in the prestigious RSA Conference Innovation Sandbox contest in 2024.