Skycure lands $8M to secure mobile devices for enterprises

Israel-based mobile security company Skycure just raised $8 million to fund new research and development.

Skycure offers two main products, a free app that secures mobile devices for consumers and software that secures enterprises with a bring-your-own-device policy.

Its enterprise solution is available on Android and iOS, and gives businesses access to a dashboard with threat detection, protection, and remediation tools. The software can be deployed to enterprise mobile networks on location or remotely via the cloud. It can also integrate with an existing mobile device management system.

In addition to the funding announcement, the company says it will be rolling out new features to its mobile threat defense software today. The mobile security app will now be able to detect vulnerabilities and apps that have been repackaged with malware, and integrates with Exchange and Airwatch — two mobile device management systems. It will also now rate how vulnerable your mobile device is to attack with a Mobile Risk Score.

Skycure was founded in 2012 by Adi Sharabani and Yair Amit, both of whom used to work for the Israeli intelligence agency known as Unit 8200. Some compare Unit 8200 to the U.S. National Security Agency or Britain’s GCHQ — the very types of institutions that many mobile users are trying to prevent from tapping their devices. Still, Sharabani and Amit have lots of experience securing sensitive information, and it’s likely that enterprises will see their military background as a boon, not a detraction.

The fresh cash will be used to fuel a new marketing campaign and spur new research and development. Shasta Ventures, Pitango Venture Capital, and Michael Weider contributed to the round. Skycure has raised a total of $11 million to date.