Gobi Partners Invests in ArmourZero for SME Cybersecurity

Gobi Partners, a leading Asia-based venture capital firm, announced a strategic investment in ArmourZero Holdings Pte Ltd, a cloud-based cybersecurity platform specializing in AI-powered application security and Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS). The investment, made through the Gobi Dana Impak Ventures (GDIV) fund, which is backed by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, aligns with Khazanah’s Dana Impak mandate to foster impactful startups.

ArmourZero, founded in 2022 and operational since January 2023, addresses the critical cybersecurity needs of software developers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Southeast Asia. The company operates through subsidiaries in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, with its core business activities centered in Malaysia. Co-founders Tho Kit Hoong, a cybersecurity expert, and tech innovator Chong Wai Lun identified a significant gap in the market, where SMEs, despite being vital to the digital economy, often lack adequate cybersecurity protection.

The ArmourZero platform tackles several challenges, including high cyber threat incidence, inadequate threat containment, prohibitive costs, and limited access to integrated security systems.

ShieldOne and ScoutTwo

ShieldOne offers unified threat monitoring, management, and response, streamlining cybersecurity operations by integrating endpoint security, email protection, and patch management into a single platform. This solution provides real-time threat protection, 24/7 Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and a hassle-free user experience. ArmourZero partners with industry leaders such as CrowdStrike, Checkpoint (Avanan), and Bitdefender to offer comprehensive protection. The MDR feature within ShieldOne provides real-time threat detection, proactive incident management, and rapid response, delivered by a dedicated team of cybersecurity analysts.

ScoutTwo secures web and mobile applications from development to deployment, providing instant vulnerability detection, risk prioritization, and AI-powered remediation recommendations. ScoutTwo contributes to cyberattack prevention and business continuity by improving application security at every stage.

Growing Demand for Cybersecurity in Southeast Asia

Gobi Partners’ investment comes at a crucial time, as Southeast Asia’s cybersecurity market is projected to grow from US$35 billion in 2023 to US$84 billion by 2028. SMEs, which comprise 99% of Malaysian businesses, are particularly vulnerable due to limited resources and awareness. ArmourZero’s solutions aim to bridge this gap, enabling SMEs to mitigate risks, reduce costs, and bolster their digital defenses.

Strengthening Cybersecurity & Future Plans

In line with its mission, ArmourZero is offering an exclusive 50% discount on ScoutTwo for SMEs and developers until March 31, 2025, to enhance web and mobile application security. This offer aims to make AI-powered DevSecOps more accessible, ensuring compliance with industry standards and helping developers secure applications effectively.

ArmourZero plans to introduce more innovative products and expand its presence across Southeast Asia, reinforcing its commitment to simplifying cybersecurity for businesses and enabling them to grow with confidence.

FAQs

1. What problem does ArmourZero solve?

ArmourZero addresses the cybersecurity gap for SMEs in Southeast Asia, providing accessible and cost-effective AI-powered application security and SECaaS solutions. These solutions tackle high cyber threat incidence, inadequate threat containment, prohibitive costs, and limited access to integrated security systems.

2. What are ArmourZero’s key product offerings?

ArmourZero offers two primary solutions: ShieldOne, which unifies threat monitoring, management, and response by integrating endpoint security and email protection; and ScoutTwo, which secures web and mobile applications from development to deployment, offering vulnerability detection and AI-powered remediation.

3. Why did Gobi Partners invest in ArmourZero?

Gobi Partners invested in ArmourZero because it addresses a critical issue by making cybersecurity accessible for businesses and SMEs, which are vital for economic growth but often underserved in digital protection. ArmourZero’s innovative platform aligns with Gobi’s vision of supporting startups that deliver meaningful impact.

Conclusion

Gobi Partners’ strategic investment in ArmourZero Holdings Pte Ltd marks a significant advancement in the cybersecurity landscape for SMEs across Southeast Asia. By providing accessible and AI-powered security solutions, ArmourZero addresses a critical gap in the market, where these vital businesses often lack adequate protection against escalating cyber threats. The company’s focus on simplifying cybersecurity through platforms like ShieldOne and ScoutTwo empowers SMEs to strengthen their defenses, reduce financial risks, and ensure business continuity. This investment not only aligns with Gobi Partners’ mission to support impactful startups but also supports Khazanah Nasional Berhad’s Dana Impak mandate to boost national productivity and competitiveness in Malaysia. With a commitment to innovation and expansion, ArmourZero is poised to play a crucial role in revolutionizing cybersecurity for SMEs, enabling them to thrive securely in the digital economy.

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Tags: ArmourZero, CrowdStrike, Cybersecurity, endpoint security, Gobi Partners, security as a service

CyberTech Staff Writer

CyberTech Staff Writer is a seasoned cybersecurity expert and analyst with a deep passion for safeguarding digital landscapes. With 20+ years of experience in the IT security and networking industry, they have honed their skills in identifying, assessing, and reporting cyber threats and best practices to salvage enterprises from disasters. Their expertise spans a wide range of areas, including cloud security, application security, ransomware assessment, threat intelligence, incident response, ZTNA and more. As a thought leader in the cybersecurity community, CyberTech Staff Writer is dedicated to sharing knowledge and insights to help organizations build robust defenses against evolving cyber threats.