Interview with Danny Jenkins, CEO & Co-Founder of ThreatLocker

Summary

In this engaging interview, Danny Jenkins, CEO of Threat Locker, discusses the company's innovative zero trust approach to endpoint security, which focuses on allowing only necessary access to applications. Since its founding in 2017, Threat Locker has experienced significant growth, expanding its employee base and raising substantial capital. Jenkins highlights key clients like JetBlue and the company's recent European expansion, while addressing the challenges posed by AI in cybersecurity. He reflects on the personal and professional journey of building a successful company alongside his wife, emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the face of initial struggles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Threat Locker focuses on a zero-trust security model, allowing only necessary application access.
• 😀 The company, founded in 2017, has rapidly grown to nearly 500 employees and protects around 45,000 companies worldwide.
• 😀 Threat Locker's primary offerings include Threat Locker Protect, which prevents threats, and Threat Locker Detect, which monitors for anomalies.
• 😀 The company raised approximately $250 million to support its growth and development of new features.
• 😀 Danny Jenkins highlighted the challenges of expanding into European markets, noting the need for different sales approaches.
• 😀 AI poses significant risks in cybersecurity, making it easier for malicious actors to develop sophisticated malware.
• 😀 The impact of AI allows for the creation of unique malware variants that traditional security measures may not detect.
• 😀 Threat Locker has successfully deployed its solutions in both small and large businesses, with JetBlue as a notable case study.
• 😀 The company has made strategic acquisitions, including Third Wall, to enhance its service offerings and reach more MSP partners.
• 😀 Jenkins shared personal struggles during the early days of Threat Locker, emphasizing resilience in the face of financial difficulties.

Q & A

What is ThreatLocker and what are its main focuses?

ThreatLocker is an endpoint security company that focuses on a zero trust approach, allowing only what is necessary for applications, rather than simply detecting threats.

Can you explain the two main components of ThreatLocker’s platform?

The two main components are ThreatLocker Protect, which stops bad things from happening by limiting application access, and ThreatLocker Detect, which monitors for anomalies and potential compromises.

What significant milestones has ThreatLocker achieved since its founding?

Since its founding in 2017, ThreatLocker has grown from 8 employees to nearly 500, raised approximately $250 million in capital, and expanded its client base significantly.

How did ThreatLocker manage to protect JetBlue during a recent outage?

JetBlue successfully implemented ThreatLocker’s solutions across its endpoints, which helped them avoid the issues faced by other companies during the outage.

What challenges has ThreatLocker faced in expanding to Europe?

Expanding to Europe has been challenging due to differences in the sales process and customer engagement compared to the U.S., but the company is seeing gradual success.

What were the recent acquisitions made by ThreatLocker and their purposes?

ThreatLocker acquired Third Wall, a configuration manager for Windows to assist managed service providers, and Hypercube, which provides technology for testing software before deployment.

What recent funding did ThreatLocker receive and why was it necessary?

In April 2024, ThreatLocker closed a $15 million Series D funding round to support its rapid growth, infrastructure expansion, and to hire more staff.

How is AI impacting cybersecurity according to Danny Jenkins?

AI poses both opportunities and threats in cybersecurity; while it helps attackers create sophisticated malware, it challenges defenders to stay ahead of evolving threats.

What is the primary concern regarding the software people run on their computers?

The primary concern is that software can have vulnerabilities or backdoors, allowing unauthorized access to data, which many users overlook when trusting applications.

How does Jenkins view the role of his wife in ThreatLocker?

Jenkins sees his wife, the COO, as a critical partner in the business, having been instrumental in hiring and supporting the company’s growth.