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Sanctum
Web security company that is specializing in web application security testing and firewall software
About Sanctum
Sanctum Inc., originally established as Perfecto Technologies in 1997 by founders Gili Raanan and Eran Reshef, was an information technology firm specializing in application security. The company, with headquarters in Santa Clara, California, and Herzliya, Israel, carved a niche in the market with its web application security solutions. Backed by prominent investors including Sequoia Capital, Intel Capital, and Goldman Sachs, Sanctum demonstrated significant market traction early on.
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The firm's product suite was centered around two key offerings: AppShield and AppScan. AppShield, an early web application firewall conceptualized by the founders and launched in 1999, operated by inspecting incoming HTTP requests and blocking malicious attacks based on a dynamic policy. Its effectiveness was evidenced by its adoption by 60 Fortune 100 companies within three years of its launch. In June 2000, Sanctum introduced AppScan, a pioneering web security vulnerability assessment solution that attracted major clients like Yahoo!, Bank of America, and AT&T. This product line addressed the growing need for robust security at the application layer for web environments.
Sanctum's journey included a name change from Perfecto Technologies in 2000 and early research that contributed to the invention of CAPTCHA technology. The company's trajectory culminated in a merger with Watchfire in 2003, and it was subsequently acquired by IBM in 2006. The intellectual property for AppShield was later sold to F5 Networks.
At a glance
- Founded
- 1997
- Headquarters
- United States
- Sector
- Cybersecurity
Latest news
Press, funding announcements and product moves mentioning Sanctum.
Investors
From Dealroom's funding and investor records, grouped by the round each investor first entered.
Series B and later3 investors entered at this stage
Gemini Israel Ventures
Dell- FVFidelity Ventures
Source: Dealroom Talent Intelligence.
Global footprint
Market sentiment
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