Virtru, a leader in data-centric security and the creator of the open standard Trusted Data Format (TDF), announced today it has raised $50 million in new funding. The round was led by ICONIQ, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Foundry, and The Chertoff Group.
This funding doubles Virtru’s valuation to $500 million, signaling a new phase of growth as the company aims to become the standard for mission-critical data protection in the age of AI.
This investment comes during significant momentum, driven by increasing demand for data security solutions built on TDF. Co-Founder Will Ackerly invented the TDF open standard during his time at the National Security Agency (NSA). It has since been adopted as the data protection standard for national defense and intelligence missions across the United States and its global allied partners, solidifying Virtru’s leadership in data security.
Trusted by over 6,000 organizations in both the public and private sectors—including JPMorganChase, Equifax, Capital One, Salesforce, and the U.S. Department of Defense—Virtru’s Data Security Platform has introduced a new paradigm. Instead of relying on traditional perimeter defenses, Virtru’s approach ensures protection travels with the data itself. As AI reshapes workflows and expands how sensitive data flows in and out of modern businesses, the need for granular, persistent data protection is more critical than ever.
While traditional Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions focus on internal controls, today’s environment demands a dual approach: securing both internal assets and externally shared data. Virtru addresses this with “microsecurity,” where protection and governance remain with the data, regardless of its location.
The new funding will power Virtru’s continued growth across both public and private sectors. It will accelerate the global adoption of TDF, expand protection for sensitive AI and analytics workflows, and scale mission-critical solutions for defense and critical infrastructure partners.
In a world where the most valuable and sensitive data must move securely across organizational, national, and classification boundaries, Virtru has established itself as the trusted standard, ensuring that protection and control always remain with the data.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is a pivotal moment not just for Virtru, but for global security architecture. From day one, Virtru’s mission has been to unlock the full value of data by ensuring it remains under your control, everywhere it travels. AI represents a seismic shift in business workflows, dramatically amplifying the need for precise, data-centric security that moves seamlessly with data across all boundaries. This funding is a seminal moment as we continue to scale Virtru and make TDF the open platform of choice for data-centric security.”
John Ackerly, CEO and Co-Founder of Virtru
“In an increasingly connected world, protecting sensitive data across public and private ecosystems is a national and commercial imperative. TDF is fast becoming a global standard for secure data sharing across both public and private sectors. As government agencies and enterprises embrace AI, the need for scalable, purpose-built data security infrastructure has never been greater, and we believe Virtru is at the center of this paradigm shift.”
Will Griffith, Partner at ICONIQ
“Data security is undergoing a fundamental shift. Indeed, IT leaders need solutions to protect data inside their walls, but they also need simple tools to protect data shared with the outside world. TDF provides that foundation, enabling what we call ‘microsecurity’—security bound intrinsically to data. Our vision is to cement TDF as the global standard in data-centric security, empowering both commercial enterprises and government agencies to collaborate securely in the AI era.”
Will Ackerly, Chief Architect and Co-Founder of Virtru
“The evolution toward data security platforms that combine granular policy controls with real-time protection represents a fundamental shift in how organizations must approach data-centric security. The market is clearly moving toward solutions that provide persistent protection that travels with the data itself.”
Andrew Bales, Principal Analyst at Gartner
