Enterprise network-as-a-service startup Nile Global Inc. today announced that it has raised $175 million in new funding.

The company’s goal is to eliminate the operational complexities plaguing enterprise networks in their ability to support cloud enterprise information technology solutions without compromising zero-trust security. That’s the notion that no user or device on a computer network can be trusted.

The company, co-founded by former Cisco Systems Inc. executives John Chambers and Pankaj Patel, Nile Global 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 believes 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. Attacks like these are what the Nile platform is designed to protect against.

The company’s platform includes networking hardware and software tools for managing that hardware. Nile says its technology provides a total cost of ownership of 30% to 50% lower than what other products offer.

Since launching last year, Nile has continued to build on its NaaS solution to deliver a more secure wired and wireless service through extensive monitoring, analytics and automation. The company has grown radpily, expanding beyond North America into Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Notable customers include Stanford University, Pitney Bowes Inc., Sprinklr Inc., Lunar Energy Ltd. and Carta Inc.

“Cloud migration strategies for anywhere access to enterprise apps is top of mind for all IT executives, creating a tremendous opportunity for Nile,” Chief Executive Officer Patel said ahead of the announcement. “These trends present unique challenges in the way enterprise infrastructure is consumed and Nile is committed to addressing them head-on, making our service as agile and innovative as the technology solutions it enables.”

March Capital Partners LLC and Sanabil Investments led the Series C round, with Saudi Telecom Co., Prosperity7 Ventures, Liberty Global Ventures LLC, 8VC LP, Geodesic Capital Fund, FirstU Capital LLC and Valor Equity Partners L.P. also participating. Including the new funding, Nile has raised $300 million to date.

Image: Nile