Mindgard is a leader in Artificial Intelligence Security Testing. Launched at Lancaster University and backed by cutting-edge research, Mindgard enables organizations to secure their AI systems from new threats that traditional application security tools cannot address. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Mindgard co-founder and CEO Dr. Peter Garraghan to learn more about the company.
Dr. Peter Garraghan’s Background
What is Dr. Peter Garraghan’s background? Dr. Garraghan said:
“I am the CEO & CTO of Mindgard and a Professor of Computer Science at Lancaster University, as well as a fellow of the UK Engineering Physical Sciences and Research Council (EPSRC). For over a decade, I’ve explored how AI and machine learning reshape the world as transformative technologies and threats.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Dr. Garraghan shared:
“Through my research at Lancaster University I realized that conventional application security methods couldn’t address AI’s risks. I formed a team at Lancaster University to build the first security tools for AI models. Mindgard translates this R&D into an enterprise ready solution that safeguards against AI threats, merging cutting-edge expertise and research with real-world applications.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Dr. Garraghan reflected:
“Launching Mindgard’s AI Security Labs was a highlight. This free tool helps engineers assess cyber risks in AI systems, educating organizations on vulnerabilities like prompt injection and model evasion. Seeing initial registrations confirmed demand for AI security solutions. Day-to-day victories—like solving complex challenges with a talented team—are equally rewarding, reinforcing our mission to secure the world’s AI.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Dr. Garraghan explained:
“Mindgard is the first AI security testing solution to apply the concepts of Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) to AI. It is a methodology used to identify vulnerabilities in a running application by simulating real-world attack scenarios. Our solution acts akin to an external adversary probing for weak spots within the system. DAST-AI tests a running AI system, which includes the LLM, RAG, and all the other components that make up the entire operational model. By testing an instantiated model, Mindgard identifies vulnerabilities that only appear during runtime.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Dr. Garraghan and the team face in building the company? Dr. Garraghan acknowledged:
“AI security is uncharted territory, requiring education for customers and investors. Early challenges involved shifting conversations from theoretical risks to real-world vulnerabilities, such as those we identified in Microsoft’s AI systems. Through consistent messaging, we demystify AI risks and underscore the importance of proactive security measures. These challenges drive innovation and reinforce the urgency of safeguarding AI systems.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Dr. Garraghan noted:
“Mindgard’s technology has evolved through a deliberate and iterative process, transitioning from academic research to a robust commercial solution. Early development focused on prototyping and testing in real-world environments, ensuring practical value for organizations deploying AI. To stay ahead of emerging threats, we continuously monitor the latest attack methods and trends, integrating them into our platform. Additionally, our team conducts groundbreaking research to discover new vulnerabilities, incorporating these findings into our product. This dynamic approach ensures our solutions remain at the forefront of AI security.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Dr. Garraghan cited:
“One of our biggest achievements has been assembling a fantastic team of leaders with experience at companies like Snyk, Veracode, and Twilio, which has been instrumental in driving Mindgard to the next phase of our journey. Today, we have 15 full time employees plus a cohort of PhD researchers at Lancaster University. We’re also incredibly proud to have been recognized as the UK’s Most Innovative Cyber SME at Infosecurity Europe last year. It’s a testament to the impact of our work.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Dr. Garraghan about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“Mindgard is helping secure the AI and ML artifacts for some of the world’s best known brands. You can think of an artifact being a component that makes up an AI system. Our customers use Mindgard across the development lifecycle, from scanning a model that’s downloaded from a repository, to testing the full system before it is released. We are especially proud that our DAST-AI solution was recently recognized as a recommended tool in the OWASP LLM and Generative AI Security Solutions Landscape Guide 2025.”
Funding
When asking Dr. Garraghan about the company’s funding details, he revealed:
“In December, we secured a new $8 million funding round led by .406 Ventures, with participation from Atlantic Bridge, Willowtree Investments, and existing investors IQ Capital and Lakestar. This recent fundraise will enable us to accelerate efforts in highlighting the challenges of AI security and investing in R&D, ensuring our customers remain ahead of increasingly complex threats.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Dr. Garraghan assessed:
“The AI security market is substantial and expanding rapidly. For instance, Forrester‘s analysis indicates that spending on AI software is expected to double from $33 billion in 2021 to $64 billion by 2025, with cybersecurity identified as the fastest-growing AI software category.”
“As for now, Salesforce reports that only 11% of CIOs have fully implemented AI because of security and data concerns. We anticipate a significant shift in perspectives as the importance of AI security becomes impossible to ignore. High-profile incidents will underscore a critical truth: AI systems must meet the same rigorous security standards as any other software before deployment.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Dr. Garraghan affirmed:
“Mindgard combines academic expertise and industry-first solutions like DAST-AI, identifying vulnerabilities undetectable by static code analysis. With access to top AI security talent and the industry’s most comprehensive threat library, we lead in innovation. Our commitment to research and practical applications uniquely positions Mindgard to address emerging AI security challenges.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Dr. Garraghan concluded:
“A key priority is expanding into the US market to establish a stronger global presence and better support our growing customer base. We’re also committed to staying ahead of increasingly complex AI threats through ongoing research and development, ensuring our platform remains at the cutting edge of AI security. Additionally, we aim to enhance the value we deliver by continuously expanding the platform’s features and capabilities to address emerging customer needs.”
