New Survey Highlights Over-Confidence Across SMBs and Startups Who Admit They Have No Security Plan and Experienced Cyber Breaches

Endari, a pioneering cybersecurity company, has today announced its official launch from stealth mode by Nils Puhlmann, a seasoned cybersecurity veteran with over 30 years of experience. The company has also raised $4M in seed funding led by investors who recognize the critical need for effective cybersecurity solutions in the startup ecosystem. With this funding, Endari has created a proprietary and comprehensive cybersecurity maturity model that has been tested and validated with real customers.

“Startups are under immense pressure to meet business objectives under compressed timelines and with limited resources,” said Richard Stiennon, Principal Analyst at IT-Harvest and author of Security Yearbook. “They are operating in an extremely dynamic threat environment that even large, well-resourced organizations struggle to navigate successfully. There isn’t a dedicated vendor in the market that is clearly focused on helping startups and small businesses mature their security posture and eventually take control of protecting their company and customers, allowing them to focus on growth without disruption.”

Endari’s cybersecurity maturity model addresses these challenges by offering scalable security solutions that grow with the business, ensuring startups can protect their assets and customer data while on their journey to reach cybersecurity independence. By partnering with Endari, startups can ensure customer and user trust without the overhead and complexity associated with full-time hires, which are difficult to find due to the persistent talent gap in cyber. Endari’s supportive approach not only accelerates the implementation of security programs but also enhances overall security posture, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations.

“I have been in security for a long time and have seen first-hand that most solutions and processes are only built for large enterprises, not startups,” said CEO and Founder of Endari, Nils Puhlmann. “Startups are left behind with a patchwork of solutions that can’t be implemented properly because they don’t have the right talent and are not looking at the big picture. Essentially, they are stuck with security gaps and limited visibility, leaving them vulnerable and exposed in the current threat landscape. I created Endari because somebody needed to step up and do something to tackle this major gap in the market. There’s just too much at stake when it’s the smaller companies that larger companies rely on by utilizing their technologies and solutions. All it takes is one big breach and a startup is done – most of them won’t survive it.”

Additionally, Endari ensures robust security coverage at every stage of business growth. Leveraging a team of seasoned security professionals and CISO advisors with 100+ years of combined experience in cybersecurity, the company offers first-hand expertise to help young businesses navigate their cybersecurity journeys.

“Cybersecurity vendors often have only surface-level awareness and knowledge about the operational risk environment most companies live in,” said Mark Weatherford, CISO Advisor at Endari. “Maintaining cybersecurity readiness through ad hoc measures that lack consistent and well-documented processes makes it difficult to assess and improve the overall effectiveness of their cybersecurity investments.

“Endari’s model and CISO advisors provide a path to establishing cybersecurity maturity which helps businesses be proactive in addressing risks and meeting the growing universe of regulatory requirements. It’s a game-changer for emerging companies.”

Endari Launches New Survey Focused on Startup & SMB Security Challenges

To dive deeper and understand more about how small businesses are navigating cybersecurity risks, Endari partnered with market research firm Sapio Research this past June to survey 300 senior business decision-makers in technology sector startups (with up to 300 employees) founded in the last five years in the United States. Although 9 in 10 (90%) of small business decision-makers report they are confident in their cybersecurity position, numerous other barriers to cybersecurity implementation were identified:

• 48%: Lack of awareness/knowledge about cybersecurity risks
• 45%: Limited financial resources/budget constraints
• 45%: Focus on other business priorities
• 43%: Perception that cybersecurity measures are too complex or overwhelming

Finally, the most concerning data point revealed that when asked about plans to increase cyber readiness over the next 12 months, only 2% of those surveyed plan to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, most likely because half of them lack the knowledge to get started.

“Our survey indicates a significant gap in how startups address cybersecurity, mainly due to lack of awareness and knowledge,” continued Puhlmann. “Our maturity model provides a structured, scalable approach to security, offering a tailored roadmap without overwhelming costs. We are committed to helping startups tackle their cybersecurity journey with confidence.”

To learn more about Endari and their comprehensive cybersecurity maturity model, please visit https://endari.com. Additionally, to view Endari’s full State of the Startup Report, please see here.

About Endari

Led by industry veteran Nils Puhlmann, Endari empowers SMBs and startups with tailored cybersecurity solutions at every stage, enabling them to take action and move forward with confidence. Endari’s CISOs and technologists form a community of experts, leveraging diverse experiences across multiple industries. As advisors and builders, Endari ensures that the right cybersecurity strategy and technology become integral parts of a company's operational DNA, evolving with the business throughout its journey. For more information, please visit https://endari.com.

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