Analyst firm Gartner Inc. predicts that there will be 8.4 billion connected devices worldwide by the end of the year, up 31 percent from 2016. This rapid growth is leading companies to look for new security tools that can help protect all the hardware entering the corporate network.

Axonius Ltd., which exited stealth mode today with $4 million in funding, is the latest player hoping to capitalize on the trend. The startup has developed a platform billed as a centralized hub for securing connected devices.

Large companies usually have multiple tools to handle the task. A typical organization may rely on a mobile device management suite to protect employee-owned handsets and a separate product to manage smaller endpoints such as sensors. Axonius’ platform can integrate with such tools to let administrators enforce security policies in one place.

In the same spirit, the startup provides software adapters for bringing new device types into the fold that a traditional enterprise might not necessary be equipped to handle. A good example are the smart thermostats, cameras and other consumer gadgets that workers are increasingly bringing into the office. They’re often connected to the corporate network without permission from the operations team.

Axonius said its platform helps organizations detect and rein in all these devices. Enabling administrators to do their work through a centralized console can enable them to enforce security rules more consistently than when using multiple disparate tools. As a result, security should be improved while new device types that might otherwise be difficult to accommodate can be adopted more easily.

Today’s investment will help Axonius’ build out an initial installed base for its platform. The round was led by prolific cybersecurity fund YL Ventures, with participation from Vertex Ventures and Emerge.

Axonius is entering a crowded field. Three months ago, startup Armis Inc. raised $17 million in funding for a platform likewise designed to help companies secure connected devices on their networks. Cisco Systems Inc. and several larger players offer similar tools.

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