Highlights:

  • According to Orchid, it can prevent manual errors and anticipate possible issues by utilizing an automated platform that can handle application-centric, identity-first security, which will also save money and time.
  • Orchid stated that before the end of the year, it plans to employ 20 new employees and expand its product using the additional funds.

A cybersecurity startup Orchid Security Inc. raised USD 36 million in the seed funding to expand its work using large language models to assist businesses in coordinating their cybersecurity status. The company leverages AI to streamline identity security orchestration.

Orchid creates a platform that assists in addressing a problem that occurs in business systems where a large number of applications create a complicated network of access points across software-as-a-service, cloud, and on-premises. This may make it difficult to map out identity and access management, allowing users to decide which apps to use, when to use them, and which systems in the environment should be controlled by which rights. Even the most astute security teams find it extremely difficult to track users and their access credentials because the typical large organization may have hundreds of apps operating at any given moment.

A continuously changing software environment is another issue that many businesses must deal with. Information technology teams may integrate new apps, administrative credentials may change as people shift departments or are promoted, and upgrades may disrupt a previously consistent identity posture. According to Orchid, it can prevent manual errors and anticipate possible issues by utilizing an automated platform that can handle application-centric, identity-first security, which will also save money and time.

The company chose large language model AI technology, according to Co-founder and CEO Roy Katmor, because the most recent models demonstrated growing reasoning abilities and code recognition that could evaluate identification flows. AI chatbots like Google LLC’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which have improved dramatically in recent months at reasoning over difficult circumstances, are powered by LLMs.

“With advancements in AI and LLM technology, we can now offer a solution that automatically assesses identity capabilities and exposures — considering target regulations, frameworks, and security best practices — offers remediations, and helps organizations elevate and ensure consistency of their identity security posture, all while significantly reducing cost and time,” said Katmor.

According to Orchid, it begins by creating a current application inventory that passively keeps finding self-hosted programs on the network, such as cloud and SaaS apps. After that, it evaluates identity restrictions and native authentication using LLM analytics and contrasts them with cybersecurity framework and practice compliance rules.

According to the business, LLMs enable the system to provide remediations for existing flaws in an organization’s present identity posture since they employ contextual reasoning and human-like explanations. This include putting the right people in charge, improving oversight by updating procedures, and more.

To safeguard their enterprise identity management procedures, Orchid has already taken on major clients including Costco Wholesale Corp., the Spanish multinational energy giant Repsol S.A., and other Fortune 500 companies.

“Our objective with Orchid is to transform our largely manual process of onboarding applications — which can take weeks after release from development — to one that is highly automated and accomplished in just days,” said Jon Raper, Costco’s Chief Information Security Officer. “Orchid greatly improves our speed to delivery for business units.”

Intel Capital and Team8 co-led the round. Orchid stated that before the end of the year, it plans to employ 20 new employees and expand its product using the additional funds. Building the company’s clientele in North America and Europe will be the main goal.