SpiderOak
SpiderOak is a privately held U.S. cybersecurity company that provides zero-trust encryption and distributed-ledger security software for defense space systems and tactical edge environments, serving the Space Development Agency, U.S. Army, and major defense prime contractors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLenexa, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What SpiderOak does
SpiderOak is a privately held U.S. cybersecurity company that builds zero-trust security software for space systems and tactical edge environments, with operational headquarters in Reston, Virginia and legal domicile in Lenexa, Kansas. The company's flagship product, OrbitSecure, leverages end-to-end encryption and distributed ledger technology to provide decentralized authentication, fine-grained identity-based access control, and guaranteed message delivery for satellites, payloads, and orbital communications — operating without reliance on network infrastructure, making it suited for disconnected, disrupted, or denied (DDIL) environments. The company complements its software platform with three professional services: ACTRA (Advanced Cyber Threat and Resilience Assessments), TEARA (Tactical Edge Assured Resilient Architecture design), and FORTEXS (legacy system hardening).
SpiderOak generates revenue primarily through government contracts, SBIR awards, and prime/subcontractor relationships, with documented customers including the Space Development Agency, Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Army PMO UAS, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Ball Aerospace, and Axiom Space. Its go-to-market is enterprise field sales augmented by defense-contractor channel partnerships, systems integrator collaborations (Intelligent Waves), and event-driven thought leadership. In October 2024, SpiderOak released its core technology as the Aranya open-source project to expand developer adoption. The company is 100% U.S.-owned and has raised approximately $34.6 million across multiple funding rounds from 2013 through 2023, with strategic investors including Empyrean Technology Solutions, Madison Dearborn Partners, Accenture Ventures, and RTX Ventures. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range, and the company is led by CEO Dave Pearah and Executive Chairman Charles Beames (former senior Pentagon official).
SpiderOak firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpiderOak
- Legal name
- SpiderOak, Inc.
- Website
- https://spideroak.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SpiderOak is a privately held U.S. cybersecurity company that provides zero-trust encryption and distributed-ledger security software for defense space systems and tactical edge environments, serving the Space Development Agency, U.S. Army, and major defense prime contractors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SpiderOak industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Cybersecurity Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Security Systems Services (56162)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Access Management & Policy Enforcement (Zero Trust) (BPAMAEAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Security Architecture & Engineering Advisory (Zero Trust, IAM, Network) (BPAKADAF), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) & SSE (HDADABAB), Deception Technology & Threat Hunting (HDADAGAI), Network Security Managed Services (Firewall/IDS/IPS/SASE) (BPAEADAG)
Keywords
Where SpiderOak is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lenexa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
SpiderOak business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
Revenue model
- OrbitSecure Subscription/License: OrbitSecure product suite for space cybersecurity, provided as software subscription or license to commercial and government space clients. Revenue from software licensing and potentially hardware integration (encryptors).
- Government Cybersecurity Services (ACTRA, TEARA, FORTEXS): Professional services for threat assessments, architecture design, and legacy system hardening for defense and space programs. Revenue from consulting and implementation engagements with government and defense contractors.
- Defense Innovation Unit / Blue UAS Assessments: Cybersecurity evaluation services for UAS platforms under the Blue UAS framework, including supply chain analysis and vulnerability assessments for U.S. Army programs.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
SpiderOak product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpiderOak provides a zero-trust cybersecurity platform purpose-built for space systems and tactical edge environments, delivering end-to-end encryption, decentralized identity-based access control, and secure messaging without reliance on network infrastructure. The company also offers professional cybersecurity services including threat assessments (ACTRA), secure architecture design (TEARA), and legacy system hardening (FORTEXS) for defense and space clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OrbitSecure: Zero-trust cybersecurity solution for space systems providing encryption and distributed-ledger technology to enhance security and resilience of space networks.
- ACTRA
- TEARA
- FORTEXS
- Aranya
Products and services
- OrbitSecure Zero-trust data security solution for space systems leveraging encryption and distributed-ledger technology to provide authentication, access control, and guaranteed message delivery for satellites, payloads, and space communications.
- ACTRA (Advanced Cyber Threat & Resilience Assessments)
Quantifiable outcome
- First zero-trust microsegmentation deployed in orbit for SDA's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SpiderOak
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
SpiderOak technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
SpiderOak partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- U.S. Army (PMO UAS)coreContract award from Program Office for U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems to perform supply chain analysis and cybersecurity assessments for the Drone Dominance Program. SpiderOak applying ACTRA methodology to evaluate participating platforms for supply chain integrity, cyber resilience, and compliance with U.S. Government security requirements.
- Red Cat HoldingscoreRed Cat selected SpiderOak to conduct cybersecurity assessment on its Black Widow Short-Range Reconnaissance platform as part of Defense Innovation Unit's Blue UAS framework. SpiderOak performing vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, and FOCI evaluations to ensure compliance with U.S. government standards for Blue UAS Cleared List inclusion.
- Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreSpiderOak accepted into DIU's Blue UAS Recognized Assessor Program, enabling company to perform cybersecurity evaluations on unmanned aerial systems seeking compliance with U.S. Government baseline requirements. Partnership with Ridgeline International to assess hardware, software, and supply chain security of UAS platforms.
- Collins AerospacecoreStrategic technology partnership to combine SpiderOak's zero-trust microsegmentation software with Collins Aerospace's Apollo crypto module for High-Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor (HAIPE) solution. SpiderOak selected Collins' Apollo crypto module as the encryption foundation for SDA contract. Joint solution enables fine-grained segmentation and continuous trust verification for space-based networks.
- Space Development Agency (SDA)coreSDA awarded SpiderOak SBIR contract to deliver High-Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor with zero-trust microsegmentation capabilities for Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). First deployment of decentralized identity-based authentication and authorization in orbit on NEBULA 'red' networks.
- Thomas Di Giacomo (Advisory Board)minorSUSE CTO and open-source leader appointed to SpiderOak Advisory Board. Provides strategic counsel on commercial adoption and deployment of secure systems in embedded environments. Represents expertise in open source, operating systems, and embedded systems strategy.
- SwarmercoreAgreement for Swarmer to integrate SpiderOak's zero-trust platform into its autonomous drone software, providing secure interactions and revocation for autonomous fleet operations. Specifically addresses challenges of securing communications for autonomous fleets in contested environments including electronic warfare zones. Enables one operator to control hundreds of drones with authenticated, authorized, and encrypted message exchanges.
- Ridgeline InternationalminorSpiderOak partnering with Ridgeline International to assess hardware, software, and supply chain security of UAS platforms under the Blue UAS Recognized Assessor Program.
- Intelligent WavescoreStrategic collaboration to deliver decentralized peer-to-peer communication network for DoD that remains functional when traditional infrastructure is compromised. Combines SpiderOak's zero-trust cybersecurity with Intelligent Waves' GRAYPATH and Phantom communications solutions. Enables secure tactical information transmission in contested environments using distributed ledger technology.
- Axiom SpacecoreJoint demonstration of SpiderOak's OrbitSecure zero-trust software on the International Space Station. Axiom Space provided AWS Snowcone for testing, demonstrating successful secure communications to and from ISS. First commercial demonstration of decentralized security for space station communications.
- TriSeptcoreStrategic partnership to offer end-to-end security solutions combining TriSept's launch integration and mission management services with SpiderOak's zero-trust cybersecurity for space missions. Joint go-to-market for integrated security in space launch and operations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SpiderOak competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Claroty: Claroty secures cyber-physical systems across industrial, healthcare, and commercial environments. Comparable architecture (zero-trust for OT/edge, identity-based segmentation) and shared customer interest in protecting distributed connected assets.
- RTX (Raytheon): RTX (parent of Raytheon, Collins Aerospace) is both a SpiderOak investor via RTX Ventures and a partner on the HAIPE program. Competes in adjacent space cybersecurity and defense electronics markets, with vastly greater scale and program reach.
- Anduril Industries: Anduril is a much larger defense-tech prime building autonomous systems, sensors, and Lattice OS for DoD. Overlaps with SpiderOak on tactical edge and zero-trust for autonomous platforms; far broader portfolio but competes for the same defense cyber/digital dollars.
Direct peers
- Shift5: Shift5 provides cybersecurity and operational intelligence for transportation, defense, and OT systems, including tactical and edge environments. Strong overlap with SpiderOak on zero-trust data protection and identity-based access control for connected platforms.
- Xage Security: Xage Security provides zero-trust cybersecurity for OT, edge, and space-adjacent critical infrastructure. Most directly comparable peer: same zero-trust identity/authentication architecture, similar defense/industrial customer base, and overlapping focus on decentralized authentication for distributed assets.
- Rebellion Defense: Rebellion Defense builds AI-driven cybersecurity and decision-advantage software for the DoD. Similar enterprise sales motion into defense agencies, comparable headcount and funding stage, and adjacent product set in defense cyber analytics.
- True Anomaly: True Anomaly builds space domain awareness and security solutions for the U.S. Space Force and intelligence community. Directly comparable niche in space security; both target DoD/space-force cyber and resilience missions for on-orbit assets.
Emerging players
- Slingshot Aerospace: Slingshot provides space situational awareness, training, and analytics for defense and commercial space operators. Overlaps with SpiderOak's space cybersecurity thesis; both sell into the same DoD/space primes and address threats to orbital assets.
Others
- Ball Aerospace: Ball Aerospace is a major space hardware prime and a SpiderOak integration partner (OrbitSecure on-orbit testing). Listed as a peer because of its adjacent position in the space cybersecurity supply chain, though it is a customer/partner rather than a direct competitor.
Regional players
- HawkEye 360: HawkEye 360 operates a commercial satellite constellation for RF analytics and space situational awareness. Shares the space-cybersecurity ecosystem with SpiderOak — both serve defense/intel customers with space-derived capabilities — though HawkEye focuses on sensing rather than cyber hardening.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SpiderOak social profiles
Digital presenceSpiderOak financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpiderOak leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SpiderOak funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SpiderOak M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SpiderOak
What does SpiderOak do?
SpiderOak provides a zero-trust cybersecurity platform purpose-built for space systems and tactical edge environments, delivering end-to-end encryption, decentralized identity-based access control, and secure messaging without reliance on network infrastructure. The company also offers professional cybersecurity services including threat assessments (ACTRA), secure architecture design (TEARA), and legacy system hardening (FORTEXS) for defense and space clients.
Is SpiderOak a public or private company?
SpiderOak is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was SpiderOak founded?
SpiderOak was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SpiderOak based?
SpiderOak is headquartered in Lenexa, United States, in the North America region.
How does SpiderOak make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. OrbitSecure Subscription/License is the primary driver. The others are government Cybersecurity Services (ACTRA, TEARA, FORTEXS) and defense Innovation Unit / Blue UAS Assessments.
Who are SpiderOak's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Claroty, RTX (Raytheon) and Anduril Industries. Direct peers are Shift5, Xage Security, Rebellion Defense and True Anomaly. Slingshot Aerospace is listed as an emerging player. Ball Aerospace is listed as an others. HawkEye 360 is listed as a regional player.
Does SpiderOak have an API?
No public API is recorded for SpiderOak.
What industry is SpiderOak in?
SpiderOak's product category is Space Cybersecurity Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAEAH, Access Management & Policy Enforcement (Zero Trust), with a secondary code of BPAKADAF, Security Architecture & Engineering Advisory (Zero Trust, IAM, Network). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.