Knostic

High-Level Overview

Knostic is a cybersecurity startup founded in 2023 that builds need-to-know-based access controls for large language models (LLMs), enabling enterprises to securely adopt AI tools like Copilot without risking data leaks or oversharing sensitive information.[1][2][3][5] It serves enterprises in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, solving the core problem of LLM implementations exposing unauthorized data through enterprise search, chatbots, and AI assistants by providing real-time governance, visibility, and protection across users, data, and AI tools.[1][3][4][6] Key products include Copilot Readiness Assessment for proactive oversharing detection—uncovering 80% of high-priority findings in under 20% of traditional scan time—and an AI Firewall & DLP Gateway for inspecting prompts and responses.[3][4][6] Named a Challenger in CB Insights' AI security ESP matrix and winner of RSA Conference Launch Pad and Black Hat Startup Spotlight in 2024, Knostic shows strong early momentum with Seed VC funding.[1][4]

Origin Story

Knostic was co-founded in 2023 by Gadi Evron (CEO), a recognized cybersecurity expert, serial entrepreneur, and former CISO for Israel's National Digital Authority who previously founded Cymmetria (acquired) and led PwC’s Cyber Security Center, and Sounil Yu (CTO), who brings deep expertise in AI security trends like autonomous decision-making systems.[1][2][5] Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the idea emerged amid rapid GenAI adoption, addressing gaps in traditional security for LLMs where tools like Copilot surface accessible rather than appropriate data, leading to leaks and compliance risks.[3][4][6] Early traction came from industry validation, including competitions and assessments proving faster sensitive content discovery, positioning Knostic to transform security teams from blockers to enablers.[3][4]

Core Differentiators

Knostic stands out in enterprise AI security through these key strengths:

• Need-to-Know Access Controls: World's first provider enforcing role-based permissions for LLMs, preventing oversharing, undersharing, and inference risks via knowledge graphs and federated learning, boosting model efficiency by 40% over static DLP or prompt firewalls.[3][4][5]
• Copilot Readiness Assessment: Accelerates discovery of exposed sensitive content (e.g., PHI in healthcare) using targeted prompts, far quicker than full file scans, with pre-configured templates for GDPR/HIPAA compliance.[3][4]
• Comprehensive Platform: Covers AI lifecycle with real-time AI Firewall for prompts/responses, governance for agents/coding assistants, and red teaming tools; protects workforce, apps, data, and pen testers in one unified layer.[4][6]
• Proven Leadership & Network: Backed by advisors like former NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers, Reddit CISO Allison Miller, and SINET Founder Robert Rodriguez; only startup to win both RSA Launch Pad and Black Hat Spotlight in 2024.[1][4][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Knostic rides the explosive growth of enterprise GenAI adoption, where tools like Microsoft Copilot and Glean amplify data leakage risks as employees query LLMs with sensitive info daily, amid rising AI security threats like model evasion and backdoors.[1][3][6] Timing is ideal post-2023 AI boom, with RSAC 2025 highlighting autonomous AI systems via OODA loops, and regulated industries demanding compliance amid GDPR/HIPAA scrutiny.[1][4] Market forces favor Knostic: AI security market expansion (e.g., CB Insights matrix), shift from AI-enhanced to AI-native tools, and enterprises needing "Department of Know" governance over traditional "No."[3][4] It influences the ecosystem by enabling safe scaling—e.g., Secure AI Deployment Frameworks for finance/healthcare—accelerating innovation while hardening defenses, as validated by top-tier awards.[4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Knostic is primed to lead need-to-know AI governance as enterprises deploy more autonomous agents and multi-cloud platforms, with expansions into IDE secrets management and industry-specific frameworks driving next growth phase post-Seed VC.[3][6] Trends like federated learning efficiency gains and real-time adversarial testing will shape its path, potentially capturing share in the booming AI security market amid 2025's focus on OODA-driven autonomy.[1][4] Its influence could evolve from innovator to standard-setter, empowering "safe AI at scale" and redefining security as an enabler—turning LLM risks into enterprise superpowers, much like its founders disrupted threats before.[2][5]