Blacksands
Blacksands Cyber Inc. offers a zero-trust Security Connectivity as a Service (SCaaS) platform for enterprises, smart-cities programs, and industrial IoT deployments, delivering identity management, threat analysis, and dynamic network security as a managed service.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersMenlo Park, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Blacksands does
Blacksands Cyber Inc. is a privately held cybersecurity company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, operating in the zero-trust network connectivity segment since 2012. The company offers a Security Connectivity as a Service (SCaaS) platform built on zero-trust architecture principles, designed to help enterprises manage and secure network connections amid digital transformation. Core technology components include identity and services management, threat analysis, an industrial IoT architecture, and a self-described "invisible dynamic networks" capability that obscures network topology from unauthorized users. Two named products anchor the catalog: the SCaaS platform and the broader Blacksands Cyber Platform, both delivered as managed services.
The company targets three primary customer segments: municipalities pursuing smart-cities initiatives (data access and sharing, building automation, connected infrastructure, mobile workforce connectivity), large enterprises implementing zero-trust architectures, and industrial organizations deploying connected devices and operational technology. Distribution combines an enterprise field-sales motion — driven by "Talk to an Expert" calls-to-action and supported by CRO Dean Scherbel and a dedicated sales function — with a product-led-growth entry point via a "Try Today" self-service trial. Pricing tiers, customer logos, and recurring revenue metrics are not publicly disclosed.
Capital structure remains thin: a single $1.5 million financing round in October 2019, participation in the AcceliCITY powered by Leading Cities accelerator in 2018 and 2019, and 2024 Phase 1 SBIR and STTR awards from the U.S. federal government. With headcount reported at 1-10 employees, no disclosed revenue, and an active content/website presence, Blacksands operates at an early, R&D-led commercial stage where government grants and accelerator access appear to substitute for conventional venture funding.
Blacksands firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blacksands
- Legal name
- Blacksands Cyber Inc.
- Website
- https://blacksandsinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Blacksands Cyber Inc. offers a zero-trust Security Connectivity as a Service (SCaaS) platform for enterprises, smart-cities programs, and industrial IoT deployments, delivering identity management, threat analysis, and dynamic network security as a managed service.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blacksands industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Zero Trust Network Security Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) / Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) (HDADABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) & SSE (HDADABAB), Remote Access & Privileged Access for OT (ZTA/PAM for Vendors) (HDADAJAG), Access Management & Policy Enforcement (Authorization, ZTNA integration) (HDAEAJAG)
Keywords
Where Blacksands is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menlo Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Blacksands business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Blacksands product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blacksands provides a Security Connectivity as a Service (SCaaS) platform built on Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) for enterprises, smart cities, and Industrial IoT (IIoT) deployments. The platform delivers secure network connectivity as a managed, subscription-based service, replacing traditional perimeter-based security models with identity- and policy-based access controls for distributed assets and devices.
Product overview
Blacksands Cyber is a unified zero trust architecture platform delivering security-as-a-service (SCaaS). The core SCaaS product provides comprehensive network connectivity management including identity and services management, threat analysis, industrial IoT architecture, and invisible dynamic networks. The platform is designed to address enterprise digitization needs for smart cities, building automation, connected infrastructure, smart city applications, and mobile workforce security.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SCaaS (Security Connectivity as a Service) Security Connectivity as a Service (SCaaS) is Blacksands' core managed service offering, delivering Zero Trust Architecture-based secure connectivity as a subscription. It is targeted at enterprises, smart cities, and Industrial IoT deployments that need identity- and policy-based access controls across distributed assets and devices.
- Blacksands Cyber Platform The Blacksands Cyber Platform is the company's underlying technology platform, delivering Zero Trust secure connectivity capabilities that are exposed to customers primarily through the SCaaS managed service for enterprise, smart city, and IIoT use cases.
Companies that use Blacksands
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Blacksands technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Blacksands partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blacksands competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cloudflare: Cloudflare offers Cloudflare One, a SASE/ZTNA platform for secure network connectivity. It is a direct competitor in zero trust architecture and secure access for enterprise and distributed workforces.
- Cato Networks: Cato Networks provides a cloud-native SASE platform converging SD-WAN and zero trust network access. Its single-pass cloud architecture and as-a-service delivery are directly comparable to Blacksands' SCaaS model.
- Zscaler: Zscaler is the leading pure-play ZTNA/SASE platform, offering zero trust network access as a core cloud-delivered service. It is a direct competitor to Blacksands' SCaaS in enterprise network connectivity security.
- Perimeter 81: Perimeter 81 (now Check Point) offered a ZTNA-focused secure access service targeted at SME and mid-market enterprises. Its zero trust network access product is a close comparable to Blacksands' SCaaS.
Emerging players
- Twingate: Twingate is an emerging ZTNA vendor offering a developer-friendly zero trust network access solution for distributed teams. It is a comparable emerging player in the same ZTNA product category as Blacksands.
- Claroty: Claroty specializes in cybersecurity for industrial control systems and operational technology environments. It is a strong comparable for Blacksands' industrial IoT security vertical focus.
- Nozomi Networks: Nozomi Networks focuses on OT and IoT security visibility and threat detection for critical infrastructure and industrial environments. It overlaps with Blacksands' smart city and industrial IoT use cases.
Broad incumbents
- Cisco (Duo Security): Cisco's Duo Security provides zero trust access and multi-factor authentication as part of Cisco's broader networking and security portfolio. It is a broad incumbent offering overlapping identity and secure access capabilities.
- Palo Alto Networks (Prisma Access): Palo Alto Networks delivers Prisma Access as part of its broader security platform, offering ZTNA and SASE alongside firewall, cloud security, and SOC offerings. It is a broad incumbent competing in the same zero trust category as Blacksands.
- Okta: Okta is a leading identity and access management platform that has extended into zero trust access through Okta Identity Engine and related products. It overlaps with Blacksands' identity & services management and zero trust positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Blacksands social profiles
Digital presenceBlacksands financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blacksands leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Blacksands funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blacksands 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 Blacksands
What does Blacksands do?
Blacksands provides a Security Connectivity as a Service (SCaaS) platform built on Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) for enterprises, smart cities, and Industrial IoT (IIoT) deployments. The platform delivers secure network connectivity as a managed, subscription-based service, replacing traditional perimeter-based security models with identity- and policy-based access controls for distributed assets and devices.
Is Blacksands a public or private company?
Blacksands is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Blacksands founded?
Blacksands was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Blacksands based?
Blacksands is headquartered in Menlo Park, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Blacksands's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cloudflare, Cato Networks, Zscaler and Perimeter 81. Emerging players are Twingate, Claroty and Nozomi Networks. Broad incumbents are Cisco (Duo Security), Palo Alto Networks (Prisma Access) and Okta.
Does Blacksands have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blacksands.
What industry is Blacksands in?
Blacksands's product category is Zero Trust Network Security Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADABAC, Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) / Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), with a secondary code of HDADABAB, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) & SSE. Its NAICS code is 518210.