FireLayers launches to get a grip on all your cloud software

Employees love trying out well-designed cloud software. The problem is that the IT department has to run after them to try and lock down security on these new apps.

Today, cloud security startup FireLayers emerged out of stealth mode, revealing how it can help companies see how employees use cloud applications like Yammer, NetSuite, Workday, Salesforce.com, and Microsoft Office 365.

Rather than scramble after a disaster, companies can keep an eye out for security threats with tools to monitor the use of cloud-based software.

FireLayers lets companies choose security and compliance policies for multiple applications or set their own custom rules for individual applications. It looks for gaps that could lead to trouble and provides audits on usage. And it will start a “network” so customers can share best practices.

FireLayers said it has secured funding from YL Ventures, although the startup declined to disclose the size of the funding.

FireLayers is going to have a steep competitive hill to climb: Every few weeks (or days, or hours), another startup comes out with tools for this purpose.

Lately, investors have been giving bulging sacks of cash to several other security startups aiming at securing cloud software. Beneficiaries include Bitglass, CloudLock, and Elastica.

Meanwhile, FireLayers itself believes companies like Netskope and SkyHigh Networks could present competition.

FireLayers has offices in San Francisco and Netanya, Israel.