Top 10 Cyber Security Startups to Watch in 2026

Executive Summary

LONDON, February 2, 2026 — The cybersecurity startup landscape in 2026 is defined by rapid innovation in AI-driven defense, Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), and identity-focused security platforms. Based on early 2026 industry reports from CRN and leading analyst firms, ten startups stand out for their ability to address complex, automated threats across hybrid environments. These companies are innovating in areas spanning web security, cyber asset management, vulnerability intelligence, identity orchestration, and zero-trust architecture. With global cybersecurity spending projected to reach $240 billion in 2026 according to Gartner, startup innovation is critical to closing capability gaps that legacy vendors struggle to address.

Key Takeaways

• CTEM and attack surface management startups gaining traction as enterprises manage expanding digital footprints
• Identity orchestration and least-privilege access are top enterprise priorities for 2026
• AI-powered security optimization reduces tool sprawl across enterprise security stacks
• MSP-focused cybersecurity platforms represent fastest-growing market segment
• Zero-trust network segmentation reaching mainstream enterprise adoption

Top 10 Cyber Security Startups to Watch

1. Reflectiz

Reflectiz specializes in web security and protecting organizations against client-side attacks, a growing threat vector as businesses increasingly rely on third-party scripts and web-based applications. The company's platform provides continuous monitoring of all third-party code executing on websites, detecting malicious behaviors including data skimming, cryptojacking, and supply chain attacks. Reflectiz's technology addresses a critical gap in enterprise security where traditional server-side protections fail to detect threats originating from browser-executed code. The startup has gained recognition from CRN as a top emerging security vendor for 2026.

2. Cavelo Inc.

Cavelo Inc. focuses on cyber asset management and data protection, with particular emphasis on managed service providers (MSPs). The company's platform enables organizations to discover, classify, and protect sensitive data across complex hybrid environments. Cavelo's attack surface management capabilities provide continuous visibility into digital assets, helping enterprises identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. With MSPs managing security for thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, Cavelo's MSP-tailored approach addresses a significant market need for scalable asset visibility.

3. VulnCheck

VulnCheck provides advanced vulnerability management and threat intelligence, offering faster and more comprehensive vulnerability data than traditional sources. The company's exploit intelligence platform tracks vulnerabilities from initial disclosure through active exploitation, giving security teams actionable context for prioritization decisions. VulnCheck's approach to vulnerability intelligence emphasizes speed and accuracy, enabling enterprises to respond to emerging threats within hours rather than days. According to industry analysts, VulnCheck's real-time exploit tracking capabilities represent a significant advancement over legacy vulnerability databases.

4. ConductorOne

ConductorOne specializes in identity orchestration and least-privilege access management. The company's platform automates access reviews, entitlement management, and identity lifecycle workflows across enterprise SaaS applications. With the average enterprise using over 200 SaaS applications, ConductorOne addresses the growing challenge of managing identities and permissions at scale. The platform's policy-driven approach ensures employees have only the minimum access needed for their roles, reducing the attack surface from over-privileged accounts—a root cause in an estimated 74% of data breaches.

5. Evo Security

Evo Security delivers identity and access management solutions tailored specifically for managed service providers. The company's platform enables MSPs to implement enterprise-grade identity security for their clients without the complexity typically associated with IAM deployments. Evo Security's focus on the MSP channel addresses a critical gap where small and mid-sized businesses lack the resources for dedicated identity infrastructure. The startup's approach combines multi-factor authentication, privileged access management, and single sign-on in a unified platform designed for multi-tenant environments.

6. Orchid Security

Orchid Security focuses on managed security services with an emphasis on identity security posture management. The company provides organizations with visibility into authentication flows, identity misconfigurations, and privilege escalation risks across cloud and on-premises environments. Orchid Security's platform uses AI to analyze identity behaviors and detect anomalies that indicate compromised credentials or insider threats. The startup has positioned itself at the intersection of identity security and security operations, addressing the growing convergence of these disciplines.

7. Ray Security

Ray Security specializes in security operations and advanced threat detection, leveraging AI to enhance SOC (Security Operations Center) efficiency. The company's platform automates alert triage, investigation, and response workflows, reducing mean time to detect and respond to threats. Ray Security's approach addresses a critical industry challenge: the cybersecurity skills shortage, which leaves an estimated 3.5 million positions unfilled globally according to ISC2. By automating routine SOC tasks, Ray Security enables smaller security teams to manage enterprise-scale threat landscapes.

8. Reach Security

Reach Security uses AI to optimize security tool configurations across enterprise security stacks. With organizations deploying an average of 45 cybersecurity tools, Reach Security addresses the challenge of tool sprawl by analyzing existing deployments and recommending configuration changes that maximize protection. The company's platform identifies gaps and overlaps in security coverage, enabling CISOs to demonstrate improved ROI on existing security investments. Reach Security's optimization approach is gaining traction as enterprises face budget pressures while managing increasingly complex threat landscapes.

9. Zafran Security

Zafran Security provides vulnerability prioritization and mitigation through its Threat Exposure Management platform. The company's approach goes beyond traditional vulnerability scoring by analyzing actual exploitability in the context of an organization's specific security controls and infrastructure. Zafran's platform integrates with existing security tools to identify which vulnerabilities are effectively mitigated and which require immediate attention, dramatically reducing the noise that security teams face from overwhelming vulnerability scan results.

10. Zero Networks

Zero Networks focuses on network segmentation and zero-trust architecture, automating microsegmentation without requiring agents or infrastructure changes. The company's platform automatically creates and enforces network access policies based on observed traffic patterns, implementing zero-trust principles at scale. Zero Networks' agentless approach reduces deployment complexity from months to days, addressing a key barrier to zero-trust adoption. The startup's technology is particularly relevant as enterprises implement hybrid work environments that expand traditional network perimeters.

Key Players Comparison

Company	Focus Area	Key Innovation	Target Market
Reflectiz	Web Security	Client-side attack protection	Enterprise
Cavelo Inc.	Cyber Asset Management	Data protection for MSPs	MSP / SMB
VulnCheck	Vulnerability Intelligence	Real-time exploit tracking	Enterprise
ConductorOne	Identity Orchestration	Least-privilege automation	Enterprise
Evo Security	IAM for MSPs	Multi-tenant identity platform	MSP
Orchid Security	Identity Security Posture	AI-driven identity analytics	Enterprise
Ray Security	Security Operations	Automated SOC workflows	Enterprise
Reach Security	Security Optimization	AI tool configuration	Enterprise
Zafran Security	Vulnerability Prioritization	Context-aware mitigation	Enterprise
Zero Networks	Network Segmentation	Agentless microsegmentation	Enterprise

Other Emerging Notable Startups (2026)

AI/LLM Security

Company	Focus Area
Mindgard	Adversarial AI Defense
CalypsoAI	AI Model Security
Harmonic Security	Data Protection for GenAI
Pillar Security	LLM Security Governance

Data and Identity Security

Company	Focus Area
Cyera	Data Security Platform
Saviynt	Identity Governance
Armis	Asset Visibility and Security
Nebulock	AI Threat Hunting

Cyber Ranges

Company	Focus Area
CybExer	Cyber Range Training
Cloud Range	Simulation-Based Training
Cyberbit	Skills Development Platform

Why This Matters for Industry Stakeholders

For CISOs and security leaders, these startups represent the cutting edge of defensive capabilities against increasingly automated and AI-driven attack campaigns. The concentration of innovation around identity management, CTEM, and AI-powered security optimization reflects where enterprise pain points are most acute. For managed service providers, MSP-focused vendors like Cavelo and Evo Security offer scalable solutions for serving small and mid-sized business clients who lack in-house security expertise. For investors, cybersecurity startups addressing AI security, identity orchestration, and zero-trust architecture represent high-growth opportunities within the broader $240 billion enterprise security spending forecast.

Forward Outlook

Looking ahead 12-36 months, the cybersecurity startup landscape will be shaped by three dominant forces: AI-driven threat automation, regulatory compliance requirements, and continued enterprise consolidation of security tools. Startups that integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise security stacks while delivering measurable risk reduction will attract both customer adoption and acquisition interest from platform vendors. The emergence of AI/LLM security as a distinct category—represented by firms like Mindgard and CalypsoAI—signals a new frontier in defensive capabilities as enterprises deploy generative AI at scale. However, projections carry uncertainty given the pace of threat evolution and the dynamic competitive landscape. Disclosure: Forward projections depend on prevailing market conditions.

References

1. CRN - Emerging Security Vendors 2026
2. Gartner - Enterprise Security Spending Forecast
3. ISC2 - Cybersecurity Workforce Study
4. Fortune Business Insights - Cybersecurity Market Report
5. Cybersecurity Ventures - Market Predictions