As we approach the end of 2024, the landscape of enterprise technology is buzzing with excitement as companies across various industries are eager to harness the power of generative AI applications to enhance their internal and external processes. However, the challenge lies in ensuring the security of these AI-driven solutions, especially for organizations that may not have a specialized focus on security. Many existing security measures may not be equipped to handle the complexities of the AI era and the innovative capabilities that companies aim to unleash through AI technologies.
Stepping up to address this crucial need is Noma, an Israeli startup that specializes in AI enterprise security. Today, Noma emerges from stealth mode with a Series A funding round of $32 million led by Ballistic Ventures, with support from Glilot Capital Partners and Cyber Club London, as well as backing from prominent chief information security officers (CISOs) from leading companies like McDonald’s, Google DeepMind, Twitter, and more.
Noma offers a robust security platform that ensures the integrity of enterprise data right from the outset, through to the training and deployment of AI models and custom applications. The platform is already in use by several Fortune 500 companies, highlighting its effectiveness and relevance in today’s data-driven business landscape.
Tackling Security Challenges in the Data and AI Landscape
Niv Braun, the co-founder and CEO of Noma, emphasized the critical need for targeted security solutions in AI workflows. He highlighted the unique security risks that AI and data science models face, such as prompt injection and data leakage, which are not adequately addressed by traditional security tools. These risks have become more prevalent as organizations grapple with security incidents stemming from misconfigured MLOps tools and unverified open-source models.
The inspiration behind Noma came from Braun and his co-founder Alon Tron’s experiences in Israel’s elite 8200 intelligence unit, where they witnessed the lack of security tools tailored for data science and AI workflows. Drawing on their expertise in security and data science, they assembled a skilled team to develop Noma’s comprehensive security platform.
What Noma’s Three-Tiered Platform Offers
Noma’s platform encompasses three key areas of security:
- Data & AI Supply Chain Security: Ensuring secure environments, pipelines, and development tools to mitigate the risks associated with compromised data and AI supply chains.
- AI Security Posture Management (AI-SPM): Providing a comprehensive inventory and security management solution for both first- and third-party AI models to safeguard assets before production.
- AI Threat Detection & Response: Monitoring AI applications in real-time to detect adversarial attacks and enforce safety protocols during runtime.
Noma’s platform offers a consolidated solution that can be applied across all three areas or selected individually based on specific needs. The platform’s flexibility allows customers to tailor their security approach while benefiting from a comprehensive security framework.
Moreover, Noma’s platform is designed for maximum flexibility and ease of use, supporting various deployment environments and enabling quick integration without the need for extensive coding changes. This seamless setup ensures that data science teams can implement security controls without disrupting their workflows, a crucial aspect in fast-paced, AI-powered development environments.
Addressing Industry Wants and Needs
Noma aims to bridge the gap between data science and security teams, facilitating collaboration and transparency in securing AI workflows. By simplifying security processes and providing clear risk information and remediation steps, Noma empowers both teams to work together effectively in securing AI-driven initiatives.
With a focus on embedding security from the outset, Noma ensures that organizations can innovate and leverage AI technologies while maintaining robust security measures. The platform’s contribution to AI security standards and active involvement in shaping industry guidelines underscore its commitment to leading the way in data and AI lifecycle security.
With substantial funding and a growing roster of high-profile customers, Noma is poised to become a key player in the evolving landscape of AI security, offering a vital shield for enterprises navigating the complexities of AI-driven operations.
