Pillar Security Secures $9M to Fortify AI Software Against Emerging Threats
April 17, 2025, 3:36 am
In the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence, security is no longer an afterthought. It’s the bedrock upon which innovation stands. Pillar Security, a startup at the forefront of AI security, has just raised $9 million in seed funding to bolster its mission of safeguarding AI applications. This funding, led by Shield Capital and supported by Golden Ventures and Ground Up Ventures, aims to enhance research and development while accelerating market entry.
Founded in 2023, Pillar Security operates from Miami, Florida, with a strong presence in Tel Aviv, Israel. The company specializes in providing end-to-end security solutions tailored for AI-integrated software systems. As organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies, traditional cybersecurity measures are struggling to keep pace. This gap creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited, leading to significant risks such as data poisoning, evasion attacks, and intellectual property theft.
A recent survey by Deloitte highlights the urgency of these concerns. Among 1,200 cybersecurity leaders, 77% expressed serious worries about AI-specific threats. Alarmingly, two out of five organizations reported experiencing an AI-related security incident, with a quarter of those being malicious in nature. The stakes are high, and the need for a robust, purpose-built AI security solution has never been clearer.
Pillar Security steps into this breach with a comprehensive platform designed to address the entire AI lifecycle. This platform is not just an upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift. It integrates seamlessly with existing code repositories and data infrastructures, allowing organizations to leverage their current workflows without disruption. By automatically mapping all AI-related assets—models, datasets, prompts, and frameworks—Pillar provides a clear view of an organization’s AI footprint.
But visibility alone isn’t enough. Pillar’s platform rigorously tests AI models and their underlying infrastructure. This thorough examination enables the implementation of tailored, adaptive guardrails for each AI application, calibrated to its unique risk profile and business objectives. This proactive approach helps prevent security failures before they can disrupt operations, turning potential vulnerabilities into fortified defenses.
The vision behind Pillar Security is rooted in the understanding that AI is not just another tool; it’s a transformative force. As the CEO and co-founder, Dor Sarig, emphasizes, AI introduces an entirely new lifecycle for software development. It’s not merely an addition to existing processes; it redefines them. This shift necessitates a new class of protection that can keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technologies.
Investors recognize the potential of Pillar’s approach. Elias Manousos, a leading investor from Shield Capital, notes that securing software in the AI era requires more than incremental improvements. It demands a visionary strategy that anticipates the complexities of agentic AI systems. This insight is what drew investors to Pillar, as they see the company’s holistic security vision as a game-changer in the industry.
The implications of Pillar’s work extend beyond individual organizations. As AI adoption accelerates across various sectors, the need for a unified security framework becomes critical. Pillar’s platform not only addresses immediate security concerns but also lays the groundwork for responsible AI development. By streamlining and securing AI procurement, development, and deployment, Pillar enables organizations to innovate confidently.
The startup’s commitment to advancing AI security standards is evident in its research initiatives. Pillar has established one of the industry’s largest AI threat intelligence feeds, analyzing insights from over 50 million AI application interactions. This wealth of data fuels advanced threat modeling and precision risk engines, allowing Pillar to proactively detect and counter live AI attacks in production environments.
Moreover, Pillar’s research team has made significant contributions to the field, exposing critical vulnerabilities in popular AI tools like GitHub Copilot. Their findings underscore the urgency of addressing security risks in AI applications, revealing that attacks can occur in as little as 42 seconds, with a success rate of 20% for jailbreak attempts. Such insights not only enhance Pillar’s platform but also contribute to the broader discourse on AI security.
As Pillar Security continues to grow, it is already collaborating with leading AI innovators, including Fortune 500 companies and cutting-edge tech enterprises. This collaborative spirit is essential in an industry where the pace of change is relentless. By working alongside key players in the AI ecosystem, Pillar is not just responding to current threats; it is shaping the future of AI security.
In conclusion, Pillar Security’s recent funding round marks a significant step forward in the quest to secure AI applications. As organizations navigate the complexities of AI adoption, Pillar stands ready to provide the tools and insights necessary to mitigate risks. The company’s innovative approach, backed by real-world threat intelligence, positions it as a leader in the emerging field of AI security. In a world where the stakes are high, Pillar Security is not just building walls; it’s constructing a fortress for the future of intelligent systems.
Founded in 2023, Pillar Security operates from Miami, Florida, with a strong presence in Tel Aviv, Israel. The company specializes in providing end-to-end security solutions tailored for AI-integrated software systems. As organizations increasingly adopt AI technologies, traditional cybersecurity measures are struggling to keep pace. This gap creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited, leading to significant risks such as data poisoning, evasion attacks, and intellectual property theft.
A recent survey by Deloitte highlights the urgency of these concerns. Among 1,200 cybersecurity leaders, 77% expressed serious worries about AI-specific threats. Alarmingly, two out of five organizations reported experiencing an AI-related security incident, with a quarter of those being malicious in nature. The stakes are high, and the need for a robust, purpose-built AI security solution has never been clearer.
Pillar Security steps into this breach with a comprehensive platform designed to address the entire AI lifecycle. This platform is not just an upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift. It integrates seamlessly with existing code repositories and data infrastructures, allowing organizations to leverage their current workflows without disruption. By automatically mapping all AI-related assets—models, datasets, prompts, and frameworks—Pillar provides a clear view of an organization’s AI footprint.
But visibility alone isn’t enough. Pillar’s platform rigorously tests AI models and their underlying infrastructure. This thorough examination enables the implementation of tailored, adaptive guardrails for each AI application, calibrated to its unique risk profile and business objectives. This proactive approach helps prevent security failures before they can disrupt operations, turning potential vulnerabilities into fortified defenses.
The vision behind Pillar Security is rooted in the understanding that AI is not just another tool; it’s a transformative force. As the CEO and co-founder, Dor Sarig, emphasizes, AI introduces an entirely new lifecycle for software development. It’s not merely an addition to existing processes; it redefines them. This shift necessitates a new class of protection that can keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technologies.
Investors recognize the potential of Pillar’s approach. Elias Manousos, a leading investor from Shield Capital, notes that securing software in the AI era requires more than incremental improvements. It demands a visionary strategy that anticipates the complexities of agentic AI systems. This insight is what drew investors to Pillar, as they see the company’s holistic security vision as a game-changer in the industry.
The implications of Pillar’s work extend beyond individual organizations. As AI adoption accelerates across various sectors, the need for a unified security framework becomes critical. Pillar’s platform not only addresses immediate security concerns but also lays the groundwork for responsible AI development. By streamlining and securing AI procurement, development, and deployment, Pillar enables organizations to innovate confidently.
The startup’s commitment to advancing AI security standards is evident in its research initiatives. Pillar has established one of the industry’s largest AI threat intelligence feeds, analyzing insights from over 50 million AI application interactions. This wealth of data fuels advanced threat modeling and precision risk engines, allowing Pillar to proactively detect and counter live AI attacks in production environments.
Moreover, Pillar’s research team has made significant contributions to the field, exposing critical vulnerabilities in popular AI tools like GitHub Copilot. Their findings underscore the urgency of addressing security risks in AI applications, revealing that attacks can occur in as little as 42 seconds, with a success rate of 20% for jailbreak attempts. Such insights not only enhance Pillar’s platform but also contribute to the broader discourse on AI security.
As Pillar Security continues to grow, it is already collaborating with leading AI innovators, including Fortune 500 companies and cutting-edge tech enterprises. This collaborative spirit is essential in an industry where the pace of change is relentless. By working alongside key players in the AI ecosystem, Pillar is not just responding to current threats; it is shaping the future of AI security.
In conclusion, Pillar Security’s recent funding round marks a significant step forward in the quest to secure AI applications. As organizations navigate the complexities of AI adoption, Pillar stands ready to provide the tools and insights necessary to mitigate risks. The company’s innovative approach, backed by real-world threat intelligence, positions it as a leader in the emerging field of AI security. In a world where the stakes are high, Pillar Security is not just building walls; it’s constructing a fortress for the future of intelligent systems.