Enterprise network-as-a-service startup Nile Global Inc. today announced a series of new security capabilities designed to protect against threats plaguing wired and wireless networks.

The company, co-founded by former Cisco Systems Inc. executives John Chambers and Pankaj Patel, launched out of stealth mode in September with a new enterprise networking platform based on zero-trust security principles. The company’s secure-by-design approach is claimed to remove complexities that have exponentially increased the cost and effort required to secure users and devices against advanced threats.

Nile argues that threats designed to take advantage of gaps in an organization’s security posture allow attackers to gain access to a targeted network, discover other devices and move silently across the network to achieve their ultimate objective.

The enhancements announced today expand Nile’s core network-as-a-service offering by unifying access for all wired and wireless devices while invoking strict identity-based authentication and authorization to the network. Every user and device, human or internet of things, is authenticated and authorized before providing access to the Nile network.

Zero-trust isolation in the update eliminates malware proliferation by isolating every user and device from every other user and device on the Nile network. Security policies can now be centrally managed and enforced at an organization’s firewall. In addition, campus traffic can now be inspected for possible malicious activity.

Through its zero-trust network, every element within the Nile network is authenticated through mutual trust-based access control to prevent rogue insertion. All wired and wireless devices across the network are encrypted through built-in Media Access Control security.

“Industry has imposed an immense burden on organizations, often forcing teams into uneasy compromises,” Suresh Katukam, chief product officer at Nile, said in a statement. “They either need to invest heavily to secure traditional networks, often beyond an organization’s means, or hope they simply won’t be targeted. Our mission is to remove the need for compromise and deliver secure connectivity without the need for costly configuration and management.”

Nile was founded in 2018 and has raised $125 million in funding, according to Crunchbase. Investors include Eight Partners L.P., Iconiq Capital LLC, Horizons Ventures Management (USA) LLC, JC2 Ventures LLC and March Capital Partners L.P.

Image: Nile