Innovation

Pittsburgh startup Wombat Security Technologies wants Internet users everywhere to recognize the dangers that lurk online.

Founded in 2008, the company has commercialized software developed at Carnegie Mellon University as part of the largest anti-phishing research project in the country. What began as the cute cartoon game, Anti-Phishing Phil, is now a powerful tool used by banks, governments and defense and healthcare institutions to train employees to foil phishing scams, fraudulent emails sent by con artists and cyber gangs to gain access to secured information.

“It’s a lot easier to steal someone’s information than rob a bank these days,” says Norman Sadeh, CEO. “The problem is going to get worse. The Web is a system of systems, little things can open the door for gangs and spies to trick people.”

The company's suite of anti-phishing solutions is pro-active and has attracted users from organizations as diverse as Portugal Telecom, the U.S. Air Force and TD Ameritrade. An Idea Foundry company, Wombat has an office on Craig Street, employs 10 people and is planning for major growth and hiring this year in the area of sales, marketing and business development activities.

“We’re on the forefront of the industry,” Sadeh adds. “Pittsburgh is not Silicon Valley but there are advantages to being here. We have access to a strong pool of talent and there is a strong network of startups that support one another in the area.”

Anti-Phishing Phil is alive and well, by the way. To learn more, click here.

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Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Norman Sadeh, Wombat Security Technologies

Image courtesy Wombat