Capsule8
Capsule8, founded in 2016 in Brooklyn, provided high-performance attack protection for Linux production environments across containers, virtual machines, and bare-metal deployments. It was acquired by Sophos in 2020 and now operates as a subsidiary within Sophos's broader cybersecurity portfolio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Capsule8 does
Capsule8 was a private cybersecurity company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, specializing in high-performance attack protection for Linux production environments. Its product addressed Linux workloads across containerized, virtualized, and bare-metal deployments, whether on-premises or in the cloud—a deliberate focus on a runtime stack underserved by Windows-centric endpoint products. The company's go-to-market targeted enterprise security and infrastructure buyers operating Linux at scale, including cloud-native and containerized production fleets.
The company raised approximately $30 million across four funding rounds between February 2017 and August 2019, led by Bessemer Venture Partners and ClearSky with participation from Rain Capital, Intel Capital, and Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures. Headcount stood at 11–50 employees, indicating an early-stage growth-stage organization rather than a scaled vendor. Strategic investors Intel Capital and Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures signaled interest in expanding into cloud and industrial/energy-vertical customers.
In 2020, Capsule8 was acquired by Sophos, a global cybersecurity vendor serving more than 600,000 customers. Following the acquisition, Capsule8 operates as a subsidiary within Sophos's portfolio, with its Linux/container protection capability positioned alongside Sophos Central, server protection, and cloud workload protection product lines. Capsule8 no longer operates as an independent commercial entity, and pre-acquisition ownership, cap table, and detailed revenue figures are not disclosed in the source material.
Capsule8 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capsule8
- Website
- https://capsule8.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Capsule8, founded in 2016 in Brooklyn, provided high-performance attack protection for Linux production environments across containers, virtual machines, and bare-metal deployments. It was acquired by Sophos in 2020 and now operates as a subsidiary within Sophos's broader cybersecurity portfolio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Capsule8 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Linux Runtime Security
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (56162), Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Container & Kubernetes Application Security (HDADACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud Detection & Response (CDR) (HDADADAG), Cloud Security Services (Posture Mgmt, Workload Protection) (BPAKAHAK), Endpoint Data Protection (Device DLP/Encryption) (HDADAEAG)
Keywords
Where Capsule8 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Capsule8 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Capsule8 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Capsule8 provides high-performance attack protection for Linux production environments, covering containerized, virtualized, and bare-metal workloads deployed on-premises or in the cloud. The company's technology focuses on detecting and stopping attacks targeting Linux servers and container infrastructure in production, without the performance overhead typical of traditional endpoint security agents. Capsule8 was acquired by Sophos in 2020 and its capabilities have been integrated into Sophos's cloud workload protection portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Linux Production Attack Protection Platform
Companies that use Capsule8
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
Capsule8 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Capsule8 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Capsule8 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sysdig: Sysdig Secure provides runtime threat detection, vulnerability management, and compliance for containers and Kubernetes, with deep Falco-based runtime security. It is a direct competitor to Capsule8 in Linux runtime attack protection and cloud workload defense.
- Lacework: Lacework provides cloud workload and container security with behavioral anomaly detection for cloud and Kubernetes environments. It is a direct competitor to Capsule8 in runtime attack detection for Linux/container production workloads.
- Aqua Security: Aqua Security is a leading pure-play container and Kubernetes security platform providing runtime protection, vulnerability scanning, and cloud-native application protection. It directly overlaps with Capsule8's core offering of Linux and containerized workload attack protection.
- Anchore: Anchore provides software composition analysis, container image scanning, and policy-based compliance for containerized environments. It overlaps with Capsule8 in the cloud-native/container security space, with comparable enterprise customer targets and Linux-centric focus.
Broad incumbents
- Wiz: Wiz is a leading cloud security platform offering agentless and agent-based workload protection across containers, VMs, and serverless across all major clouds. It competes with Capsule8 in cloud workload and runtime protection as part of a broader CNAPP suite.
- Twistlock (Palo Alto Networks): Twistlock was acquired by Palo Alto Networks and integrated into Prisma Cloud, offering container and cloud-native security at scale. It competes with Capsule8 in container runtime protection but as part of a much broader CNAPP portfolio from a major incumbent.
- Trend Micro Cloud One: Trend Micro Cloud One offers workload protection including container and runtime security for hybrid cloud environments. It is a broader incumbent offering that overlaps with Capsule8's Linux/container runtime attack protection capability.
- Qualys Container Security: Qualys Container Security provides inventory, vulnerability assessment, and runtime protection for containers and Kubernetes as part of the broader Qualys Cloud Platform. It is an incumbent offering that overlaps with Capsule8's container and Linux runtime protection focus.
Emerging players
- Snyk: Snyk focuses on developer security including container and Kubernetes security alongside its core SCA/IaC offerings. It competes with Capsule8 in parts of the cloud-native security stack, especially around container image and runtime protection.
Others
- Falco (open source): Falco is an open-source CNCF incubating runtime security project for detecting anomalous activity in containers, Kubernetes, and cloud. It is closely related to Capsule8's runtime detection technology and shaped the broader ecosystem of Linux runtime security tools.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Capsule8 social profiles
Digital presenceCapsule8 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capsule8 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Capsule8 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capsule8 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 Capsule8
What does Capsule8 do?
Capsule8 provides high-performance attack protection for Linux production environments, covering containerized, virtualized, and bare-metal workloads deployed on-premises or in the cloud. The company's technology focuses on detecting and stopping attacks targeting Linux servers and container infrastructure in production, without the performance overhead typical of traditional endpoint security agents. Capsule8 was acquired by Sophos in 2020 and its capabilities have been integrated into Sophos's cloud workload protection portfolio.
Is Capsule8 a public or private company?
Capsule8 is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Capsule8 founded?
Capsule8 was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Capsule8 based?
Capsule8 is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Capsule8's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sysdig, Lacework, Aqua Security and Anchore. Broad incumbents are Wiz, Twistlock (Palo Alto Networks), Trend Micro Cloud One and Qualys Container Security. Snyk is listed as an emerging player. Falco (open source) is listed as an others.
Does Capsule8 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capsule8.
What industry is Capsule8 in?
Capsule8's product category is Linux Runtime Security. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADACAE, Container & Kubernetes Application Security, with a secondary code of HDADADAG, Cloud Detection & Response (CDR). Its NAICS code is 56162 and its SIC code is 7372.