10 Israeli infosec companies at the 2009 RSA Conference
Filed under: Data Storage, IT management, Industry pulse, Information Technology, Internet Security, Uncategorized, cloud computing, data security, virtualization
The 2009 RSA Conference kicked off yesterday in San Francisco. As the conference is the biggest annual information security one in the world and Israel is a leader in the field, several Israeli companies are present this year as sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and attendees. Some of the companies exhibiting and attending include:
- Check Point Software Technologies
- Tufin Technologies
- Safend, Inc
- Imperva
- Radware Inc
- Aladdin Knowledge Systems
- AlgoSec
- Cyber-Ark Software, Inc
- Promisec
- Commtouch
Hot topics expected to be discussed in depth throughout the conference are cloud computing security, conficker worm and the conflict between national security concerns online and the protection of citizen’s rights.
Though reports indicate that overall attendance at the conference this year is significantly lower than in previous years due to the state of the economy and companies cutting back, it is unclear how this has impacted participation and attendance among Israeli companies compared to past years.
14 Israel-related headlines from the week of March 1, 2009
Filed under: Advertising, Cleantech, Company Briefs, Information Technology, Internet Security, Uncategorized, VC, cloud computing
News from Israel’s cleantech industry during the week of March 1, 2009 showed that it will continue to grow throughout the recession and that substantial progress is starting to be made, such as with Aora receiving a license for its solar thermal plant on Kibbutz Samar. In contrast, IT companies Comverse and SAP Israel announced layoffs this past week, however, several companies, including ComAbility and Kenshoo, raised funds and new partnerships were announced. For more details on these and the rest of the 14 Israel-related headlines from the week of March 1, 2009, check below.
Cleantech
1. Cleantech faces wave of growth, not layoffs
2. IQwind a Red Herring Top 100 Global Company
3. Aora Gets License for Solar Thermal Plant
Investments and Economy
4. Comverse to fire hundreds – many in Israel
5. Sequoia Capital leads Second round of financing for AICC Member Kenshoo Ltd.
6. Israeli technology company ComAbility secures a further $4m in venture funding
7. Onset Technology lands $3M venture round
Information Technology
8. SAP, IBM to Showcase Tech for Cloud Mobility
9. Ness Technologies Uses WorkLight to Secure Social Media
10. A New Advertising Tool That’s Truly Cool
11. Triond: A Writing Opportunity Worth Investigating
12. Actimize, a NICE Company, Positioned in Leaders Quadrant of Magic Quadrant for Web Fraud Detection
Miscellaneous
13. A tourism crisis hits the Middle East
14. Keeping your mind sharp with Israel’s CogniFit
Check Point sees growth despite economic downturn
Filed under: IT management, Information Technology, Internet Security, Uncategorized, data security
Jeff Neal at Optionetics.com posted yesterday that information security solutions provider, Check Point Software Technologies is continuing to experience growth, including in the United States and Europe, despite the economic downturn.
According to Neal,
“Check Point has solid fundamentals with great return on equity and a healthy cash flow. The latest earnings showed total revenues at $217.6 million, compared to $206.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Net income was $86.5 million compared to $87.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. The company also indicated that their share repurchase program bought approximately 3.4 million shares at a total cost of $66.7 million and that they continued to experience good performance from all geographies, including the United States and Europe.”
While other companies, such as SAP Israel and Amdocs have been announcing layoffs, even back in October, Check Point was confident about its sales growth. At the time, which was after Check Point reported third-quarter results that beat estimates, Gil Shwed, the CEO, explained that security was still a sector that companies were investing in,
“We see projects being cancelled but we also see projects being initiated. Clients are buying. It’s not that the world has stopped but they are cutting costs.”
For the most part, Shwed seems to be right. Earlier this week, the UK edition of SC Magazine posted on its website, the SC Top 30: Information security overview 2009. According to the overview, which is based on an interview with Eric Domage, manager, western European security research and consulting at IDC,
“The European security market will see growth – but at a reduced rate – and activity will not start to pick up until well into 2010.”
It goes on to mention that security software is in decline and most growth is in managed security services providers (MSSPs), which more comapnies are shifting to. Though, according to Domage, activity isn’t expected to really pick up until after 2010,
“the pressures on both customers and suppliers are likely to intensify during 2009 and on into 2010. Security chiefs are going to have to look hard at cost control and justify their spending requirements.”
Meeting these requirements, Check Point Endpoint Security protects PCs and eliminates the need to deploy and manage multiple agents, reducing total cost of ownership and appealing to security officers. Check Point’s Endpoint Security provides end-to-end security solutions, from a firewall to anticirus protections to program control and full disk encryption.
Check Point isn’t the only Israeli security company offering cost-saving solutions that is experiencing growth during the economic downturn, Imperva, an application data security company, had a breakout year in 2008.
12 Israel-related headlines from the week of January 11, 2008 (N-Trig Edition)
Filed under: Cleantech, Company Briefs, Data Storage, Environment, Industry pulse, Information Technology, Internet Security, Mergers and Acquisitions, Uncategorized, data security
During the week of January 11, 2009, the war in Gaza escalated and news about Israeli tech companies continued. The biggest news of the week was that multi-touch technology company, N-Trig raised $24 million in its latest round of funding, the majority coming from Microsoft. Better Place announced its partnership to bring electric cars to Canada while Aladdin agreed to be acquired after months of talks with Vector Capital. Other information security companies, Trusteer and Commtouch also made headlines with important security threat findings. For links to these stories and more, check out the complete 12 Israel-related headlines from the week of January 11, 2009 below.
Cleantech
1. Better Place Partners with Ontario to Bring ‘Car 2.0’ Electric Car Infrastructure to Canada
2. Eilat to host major international energy conference
Investments and M&A
3. Information security provider Aladdin is to be acquired by Vector Capital for $160 million
4. Microsoft leads $24m round for touch screen co N-trig
Information Technology
5. Phishing attack uses pop-up message on bank sites
6. Shunra Software Joins Microsoft Visual Studio Industry Partners Program
8. RiT Technologies launches Paladin environment and security management suite
N-Trig
10. N-trig Secures $24 Million of New Funding to Fuel Hands-on computing™ Growth in Global PC Market
11. Microsoft Betting Big on ‘Touch’
12. CyberLink and N-Trig Introduce Next-Generation Multi-Touch Enabled Applications at CES
15 Israel-related headlines from the week of January 4, 2008 (Gaza Operation Edition #2)
Filed under: Cleantech, Company Briefs, Data Storage, Environment, Information Technology, Internet Security, Mergers and Acquisitions, Uncategorized, VC, Web2.0, cloud computing, data security
During the week of of January 4, 2008, aside from the escalation of Israel’s operation in Gaza and more attacks on Israeli websites, one of the biggest stories in the tech world was the launch of Israel-based Ctera’s new storage device. Another was that Israel issued its first solar licenses for solar power plants. Despite the poor economic and VC investment outlooks, at least three Israeli companies (including Ctera) announced they raised funds. There was also news of an imminent Aladdin sale that sent its stocks rocketing. For these stories and more, you can view this week’s 15 Israel-related headlines below.
Israel-Hamas Conflict (Technology side)
1. Israel-Gaza Conflict Spills Over Into Twitter
2. Hackers Take the Fight Over Gaza Online
3. Digital World: How to beat anti-Israel hackers at their own game
4. Spam poses as CNN story about Israel-Hamas conflict
Cleantech
5. Israel issues first solar licenses
6. Cleantech Investment Slowdown Predicted in 2009
Investments
8. TraderTools Raises $7.5 Million
Information Technology
9. Aladdin shares surge on report company sale is near
10. Start-up Ctera will offer cloud storage through carriers
11. Save Mart Supermarkets Deploys Integrated Retalix Supply Chain Software
12. Gigya: December 23rd Was Biggest Day For Our Widgets, Ever
Miscellaneous
13. Freeverse Announces Slot Car Racing Game for IPhone
14. Eyes in the sky
15. Fish memories underestimated
Top posts on Israel Innovation 2.0 from the past week
G.ho.st: A real model for coexistence
Why TechAviv and technology in general lacks women (Part 1)
Company to watch in 2009: WorkLight, Inc
Filed under: Business Intelligence, Information Technology, Internet Security, Uncategorized, Web2.0
I meant to write about WorkLight last month but got caught up with things. As what happens every few weeks though, my attention has quickly been drawn back to the company again. In Jon Brodkin’s post on Network World earlier today, he listed the “Secure Web 2.0 for Business” Enterprise 2.0 company as one of 10 startups to watch in 2009. I couldn’t agree more.
WorkLight, Inc. seemed to have a stellar year in 2008, and as Web 2.0 in the enterprise continues to grow in 2009 despite the economic downturn, there’s no reason not to think that it won’t repeat it, and more. Since the company first showed up on my radar as one of two Israeli demonstrators at the 2007 DemoGermany conference in Munich, the company has raised an impressive round of funding, been chosen as one of the top 10 web startups in Israel’s version of the TechCrunch and Demo conferences and just last month, and partnered with NetVibes to develop secure widgets for the enterprise among other news about the company.
The company’s software is customized for specific industries and, as such, has helped simplify and accelerate the embracing and integration of Web 2.0 in the enterprise. On its website, the company explains itself and its offerings as follows:
“WorkLight® Inc. develops server software products that help businesses reach customers, channels, employees, and partners securely in the places they frequent online, such as iGoogle, Windows Live, desktop widgets, RSS readers, Facebook, even the Apple iPhone. Through WorkLight, people effortlessly get valuable information they desire, such as account status, product availability, or updates about their latest transactions. They can then take actions, for example order products or services, respond to promotions or offers, and consult with colleagues, without having to log into a portal or corporate web site. As such, WorkLight transforms consumer interfaces into enterprise-grade business tools that directly increase revenue.”
Here is an image from the site of how its products work.
Additionally, I’ve created a timeline of some of the WorkLight news that caught my attention in 2008
Company Facts
Founded in 2006.
Based in New York and Yakum, Israel.
Shahar Kaminitz, CEO and Co-Founder.
Doron Somer, Vice President of R&D.
Products: WorkBook, WorkLight for SAP, WorkLight for Technology Companies and WorkLight for Business Services.
Competitors include: Awareness Inc. and NewsGator Technologies Inc.
Customer industries: financial services, retail banking, manufacturing, book publishing, technology and IT services and utilities
Website: myworklight.com
22 Israel-related headlines from the week of December 28, 2008 (Gaza operation edition)
Filed under: Cleantech, Company Briefs, Environment, Industry pulse, Information Technology, Internet Security, Israeli Websites, New Ideas, Partnerships, Software, Uncategorized, VC, Web2.0, security
Much attention in the news was paid to Israel’s operation in Gaza during the week of December 28, 2009, including to online technology related to it. Different Israeli government branches, from the IDF to Israeli Consulates in the U.S., began to leverage popular social media tools, such as blogs, YouTube and Twitter, to explain the purpose of Israel’s operation and its objectives, while supporters around the world used the same mediums and others, such as Facebook, to show their support for Israel and its troops. During the week it also became clear that the conflict wouldn’t be bound to physical operations as several Israeli sites became the targets of cyberterrorism.
Despite the conflict, there was plenty of news of unrelated innovations coming from Israel. Funds were raised and contracts were signed in Israel’s IT and cleantech sectors and announcements of foreign companies opening R&D offices were made. Not all the news that wasn’t related to the conflict was good though. For all these stories and more, check out this week’s special edition of Israel-related headlines from the week of December 28, 2008 below.
Israel-Hamas Conflict (Technology side)
1. Israeli news site down, blames cyber attack
2. Muslim hackers attack Israeli websites as Gaza strikes continue
3. Israel Backed by Army of Cyber-Soldiers
4. War sickens me, but I stand with Israel (HelpUsWin*)
5. The Big War You Never Hear Much About
6. Israeli Consulate to tweet about Gaza war
Cleantech
7. Israel’s SolarEdge Raises $23M to Crush Shady Solar
8. BrightSource Energy signs contract with Siemens for solar-powered generator
Investments and deals
9. 2009: Year of the survival of the fittest
10. Bluephoenix Announces Multi-Million Dollar Modernization Contract With a Large Scandinavian Bank
11. Intrinsyc Signs Soleus Licensing Agreement With ODM for Industrial PDA and LBS Phone
12. Oy Vey! Israeli VCs Exceptionally Gloomy on 2009
Information Technology
13. HCL opens office in Israel
14. Invention: Software research assistant
15. EMC continues to move forward
Miscellaneous
16. The American Idol for blogging superstars
18. Israeli’s documentary is drawing wide acclaim
19. MyHeritage Makes Family History Research Easier With Launch Of Family Tree Builder 3
20. Crude oil rises after Israeli attacks on Gaza roil Middle East
Israel Innovation 2.0 content related to Israel-Hamas conflict
21. Direct from the streets of Gaza… and Israel. How TechCrunch UK’s post could have read regarding UGC
22. Cyberterrorism against Israeli and American sites: How to Stay Secure
Video from IDF Spokeperson’s Unit TouTube Channel (Capt. Benjamin Rutland on the ground forces entering Gaza on 3 Jan. 2009)
*HelpUsWin is an online grassroots campaign helping to ensure that international coverage of the Campaign Against Hamas is balanced. To learn more about it or how you can become involved, please check out the HelpUsWin website.
Cyberterrorism against Israeli and American sites: How to Stay Secure
Filed under: Industry pulse, Information Technology, Internet Security, Israeli Websites, Risk Management, Uncategorized, data security, security
Since Israel began its operation in Gaza a week ago, over 300 sites have fallen victim to cyberattacks. Large Israeli company sites, such as Israel Discount Bank, Ynetnews and Israel’s largest domain registration site along with small Jewish community sites, including several religious ones in the US have been targeted. The main group behind several of these attacks, though far from the only one, is the infamous Moroccan group, TeamEvil, which also hacked some of the 750-plus Israeli websites before and during the Lebanon war in 2006.
Security analysts predict that American company websites will also be attacked in the next few weeks. For an article on the topic that appeared in SC Magazine last week, Dan Kaplan interviewed Gary Warner, director of research in computer forensics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and John Kindervag, a senior analyst with Forrester Research who both made suggestions for preventing cyberattacks:
“Warner said website operators must secure common entryways for hackers, including vulnerable programming language, forum or blog software, image programs and utilities, such as website statistic applications. In addition, they must prevent the theft of FTP credentials, which are used to access sites and load content.
John Kindervag, a senior analyst with Forrester Research, said most websites are not built with security in mind. As a result, site owners should conduct a vulnerability assessment and, if they need immediate action, install a web application firewall, which can detect anomalous behavior.”
For more on the topic and to make sure your secure, you can check out the following sites:
10 Ways to Prevent Cyberterrorism
International Cooperation Needed To Prevent Cyberterrorism
Cyber Terrorism Threat Increasing – How To Prevent A Digital 9/11
Israel’s fastest growing software companies in 2008
Filed under: Business Intelligence, Data Storage, Defense Technology, Industry pulse, Information Technology, Internet Security, Software, Uncategorized, data security, technology
In early November, Deloitte Brightman Almagor Zohar, a professional services firm under the interational Deloitte brand in Israel, released its annual list of Israel’s top 50 fastest growing technology companies for 2008 based on percentage revenue growth over a five-year period. Sixteen software companies ranging from security to finance to storage made the list. Below is the top 10 software companies on the list (all in the top 30) and a little more about them. Will you be using any of these companies’s technologies in 2009?
GigaSpaces Technologies
GigaSpaces Technologies was founded in 2000 and offers an alternative to traditional application-servers for Java and .Net environments. Its eXtreme Application Platform (XAP) allows businesses and developers to easily scale and improve performance at low cost while leveraging virtual environments such as clouds and grids. Its customers include DowJones, Virgin Mobile, Bank Leumi and Webster.
Commtouch Software
Founded in 1991, Commtouch develops software to protect e-mail by offering spam and Zero-Hour™ virus outbreak protection. Its anti-spam solutions feature its Recurrent Pattern Detection (RPD) technology and have been licensed by over 80 security and messaging vendors and providers including Aladdin, Check Point, Fujitsu and LG N-Sys
Red Bend software
Red Bend Software is considered to be a market leader in Mobile Software Management and Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) update solutions. Founded in 1999, Red Bend Software offers solutions that give phone users more control over what software components they want on their phones while also increasing the data service revenues of phone carriers. The main solutions include firmware updates, software component updates and data management.
El Far Electronics Systems 2000
Founded in 1986, El Far is the longest-established software company on the list and the lone defense company. El Far provides defense security systems offering integrated software for site management and decision making support. Its Integer software can be used for managing anything from access control systems to fire alarms to infra red sensors.
InfoGin
InfoGin was founded in 2000 by Eran Wyler after he foresaw the “need for surfing the real Internet on any mobile device.” Over the years, InfoGin has become a leader in “Web-to-mobile content adaptation, enabling mobile users to access any Web site they desire, optimized to their mobile device.” The company’s Internet Mobile Platform (IMP) technology is currently being implemented by several major companies, including Virgin Mobile (UK) and MapQuest.
Actimize
Around since 1999 and a NICE Systems Ltd. company since 2007, Actimize is a transactional risk management software company offering solutions in anti-money laundering, fraud prevention, and brokerage compliance. Its technology includes the Risk Case Manager, Visual Modeler and Analytics Server.
Modelity Technologies Inc.
Established in 2000, Modelity Technologies offers a financial modeling and portfolio analytics platform for financial institutions, such as banks and insurance companies, to stay competitive and improve their performance. Its products include Modelity/Advisor, Modelity/Funds and Modelity/Structures.
FibroLAN
Since 1996, FibroLAN has developed integrated fiber-optic broadband access systems that allow organizations in the corporate and carrier markets that are dispersed over metropolitan areas access to the Internet and their Intranets at fast speeds. Its MA and MetroStar technologies both provide the benefit of low-cost remote management. MetroStar has been used by Telstra and the Los Angeles MTA.
Discretix Technologies
Discretix was founded in 2000 and is the largest single company in the world dedicated to embedded security. Focusing on consumer electronics products that are portable, such as mobile phones and mp3 players, Discretix offers additional security solutions for them that manufacturers can’t provide due to limited resources. Its main products, CryptoCell and CryptoFlash are deployed by major manufacturers such as SonyEricsson, Motorola, Samsung and SanDisk.
Exanet
Founded in 2000, Exanet is a data storage solutions company offering enterprise companies the latest processing technology that is scalable in capacity and performance, with low cost of ownership. Its product, ExaStore 2008 holds the world record for storage performance and its customers include BBC, Stanford University, and the National Library of France.
Trusteer Releases Free Malware Search Engine for Financial Institutions
Trusteer, an Israeli security vendor, announced earlier today the availability of a free tool that allows banks to find out which malware variants and Trojans are targeting their websites and customers.
“allows IT professionals to submit their organization’s web address and see a list of malware configuration files that are designed to commit fraud against their brand. By typing their URL address into the Attack Trace search engine, users get a glimpse into the cross section of malware that is specifically aimed at their website and what the code is written to accomplish. The Trusteer Attack Trace search engine searches for leading Trojans and other attack codes including Torpig/Sinowal, WSNPOEM, and NetHell.”
- The typical malware configuration file targets around 500 financial institutions
- Big banks such as Bank of America, Citibank, and Wells Fargo and targeted by virtually all malware variants in the engine.
- International websites for known banks such as Citibank.de (Germany), ingdirect.es (Spain), barclays.pt (Portugal), and hsbc.fr (France) are extremely popular targets.
- Small local banks such as ledyardbank.com, sunflowerbank.com, and anchornetbank.com are favorite targets of many malware variants.
- Credit Unions such as, airforcefcu, ocfcu.org, redfcu.org, and teachersfcu.org are strongly targeted by various malware
- Torpig/Sinowal targets the most number of credit unions (hundreds)
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