Zilla Security is a company that delivers a SaaS platform for security and access compliance. And the company automates user access review processes that are essential for maintaining compliance with regulations like SOX, HIPAA, GLBA, FFIEC and SOC 2. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Zilla Security co-founder, CEO, And President Deepak Taneja to learn more about the company.
Deepak Taneja’s Background
What is Deepak Taneja’s background? Taneja said:
“I’ve been involved in the identity management and cybersecurity industry for over 25 years, now serving as Co-Founder and CEO of Zilla Security. My journey began with Netegrity where I led the development of an access management platform, which was widely used in the industry. After Netegrity went public and was acquired, I founded Aveksa, a pioneer and market leader in identity governance. Following Aveksa’s acquisition by RSA Security, I served as CTO for RSA Security’s identity business. I’m a passionate supporter of Boston’s startup community and have been an advisor or board member for a number of successful tech startups.”
Formation Of Zilla Security
How did the idea for the company come together? Taneja shared:
“Zilla Security was founded in 2019 when my co-founder and I recognized the growing significance of identity in cybersecurity. Identity was emerging as a critical business concern and it was clear that it was rapidly becoming the new security perimeter. Realizing that identity was a primary security vector in the cloud, we latched on to the idea of a solution that could effectively address organizations’ identity and access security challenges. This laid the foundation for the development and launch of Zilla Security, with a mission to provide enterprises with automated and auditable identity security solutions.”
Favorite Memory
What has been Taneja’s favorite memory working for the company so far? Taneja reflected:
“My favorite Zilla memory so far has been witnessing the energy and collaboration among our team members. Every day brings exciting new developments, and I’ve found joy in cultivating a work environment where innovation thrives and everyone feels empowered to contribute. As a leader, it’s important to make sure our startup journey is not only productive but also fun for everyone involved. Whether it’s engineering, sales, or customer success, I enjoy the moments when we come together as a team to create something meaningful. Working alongside a talented and dedicated team has been very rewarding, and it reinforces my belief in the power of teamwork and our shared mission to be the best in the world at identity security.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Taneja explained:
“Zilla Security stands as a leading SaaS platform dedicated to identity security and governance. Our suite of solutions empowers organizations to seamlessly and continuously assign, monitor, and review permissions, while also automating the remediation of identity risks. Most importantly, we offer a unique platform that integrates seamlessly with all SaaS applications, cloud platforms, and on-premises systems. This integration provides a comprehensive system of record for managing user, machine, and API identities and permissions.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Taneja and the team faced in building the company? Taneja acknowledged:
“We’ve encountered some challenges recently. Hiring, in particular, has been a persistent challenge for us. The competitive landscape and evolving skill requirements have made finding and retaining top talent quite difficult.”
“Additionally, the pandemic disrupted teamwork and collaboration. Transitioning to remote work posed challenges in maintaining effective communication and facilitating a sense of camaraderie among team members. To overcome this, we’ve implemented a hybrid work model, which has established a balance between remote work flexibility and in-person collaboration, helping to restore cohesion within our team.”
Evolution Of Zilla Security’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Taneja noted:
“Zilla began by offering visibility through API-based integrations, gradually expanding to include robotic automation for applications lacking API support and a container. We then introduced remediation and response technology to swiftly address security issues. Today, we’re integrating AI/ML into our platform to take our automation to the next level, enhance our ability to detect identity threats and optimize security operations with unprecedented efficiency.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Taneja cited:
“Zilla Security reached a significant milestone during our financial year ending January 31, 2024. We achieved a 180% YOY growth in annual subscription-based revenue, showcasing our effectiveness in addressing the shifting landscape of the Identity Governance & Administration market.”
“We also solidified strategic partnerships and launched two new products, Zilla Secure and Zilla Provision. Recognition from G2 as a ‘High Performer’ and ‘Easiest To Do Business With,’ alongside participation in the AWS ISV Accelerate Program, are additional achievements that highlight our commitment to excellence and growth in the industry.”
Customer Success Stories
After asking Taneja about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“One notable customer success story for Zilla Security involves Hippo Insurance Services.”
“Hippo Insurance Services navigated a highly regulated industry, encountering struggles in managing user access reviews (UARs) across their array of cloud applications. To address this, they turned to Zilla Security’s platform to streamline their processes. Leveraging Zilla’s capabilities, Hippo automated over 90% of manual tasks, accelerating review timelines and optimizing resource allocation. This transformation bolstered efficiency and provided comprehensive reporting, ensuring compliance readiness and enhancing security measures.”
“With Zilla’s support, Hippo benefitted from time savings, increased productivity, and heightened security posture. The streamlined UAR process allowed their InfoSec team to focus on strategic initiatives, contributing to the organization’s overall security objectives. The enhanced visibility provided by Zilla’s platform empowered Hippo to navigate compliance requirements with ease, cementing their position as a leader in the insurance sector.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Taneja assessed:
“Zilla Security is pursuing a Total Addressable Market (TAM) of approximately $7 billion in the Identity Governance and Administration sector, with projections indicating it could reach US$18.8 billion by 2030 (Research and Markets). This market is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.41% from 2022 to 2027, as per Technavio Research. Zilla Security’s specialization in identity security solutions positions it favorably to support enterprises in enhancing their security and governance initiatives within this expanding market landscape.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Taneja affirmed:
“Zilla Security delivers a level of visibility that no one else can offer and a time-to-value that no one else can match. With a security-first and automation-centric approach, the Zilla Identity Security Platform enables enterprises to stop breaches, streamline access provisioning, and simplify access reviews. Zilla Security continuously manages permissions to establish a strong security and compliance posture that protects the entire enterprise’s digital estate.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Taneja concluded:
“Looking ahead, we’re focused on several future goals aimed at driving innovation and growth. Without revealing too many details, we’re excited about developing new AI products that have the potential to be game-changers in the industry. We are also actively pursuing innovative strategies in sales and marketing to reach customers more effectively and bring prospective clients into the fold through dynamic marketing initiatives. Ultimately, we want to keep up with our commitment to remain at the forefront of identity security solutions while also pushing the boundaries of innovation and customer engagement.”
