Competition in Israel’s browser security market is intensifying with a new player challenging established firms. LayerX, founded in 2022 by CEO Or Eshed and CTO David Weisbrod, has emerged as a strong contender aiming to disrupt the dominance of Island, a leading secure browser company valued at $5 billion.
Three years ago, Talon and Island led the race for secure browsers but Talon was acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $650 million while Island continued to grow rapidly. Now, LayerX claims it can capture market share from Island by integrating its cybersecurity technology directly into mainstream browsers like Google Chrome.
The shift gained momentum following Google’s recent announcement of a collaboration with LayerX. The partnership integrates LayerX’s security tools into Google Chrome Enterprise, enhancing protection against malicious browser extensions for enterprise users.
“Browsers are the main attack surface for cyber threats,” said LayerX CEO Or Eshed. “Enterprises face serious risks from browser extensions that may access sensitive company data. Our technology embeds advanced security within Chrome itself, offering consistent protection across browsers.”
Unlike Island and Talon, which developed standalone secure browsers, LayerX focuses on securing existing browsers through extensions and deep integration. This approach aligns with emerging trends as artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities are rapidly being incorporated into browsers, including forthcoming AI-powered browsers from OpenAI.
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“As AI browsers enter the market, companies building independent secure browsers face challenges,” Eshed said. “Employees will choose AI browsers they prefer and organizations using LayerX’s integrated protection will have stronger security.”
LayerX has raised $45 million in funding, including a recent $11 million round led by investors such as Dell Technologies Capital and Galil Capital. One of its customers, Jump Capital, also invested after endorsing the product.
Yair Shnir, managing partner at Dell Technologies Capital, highlighted the promise of LayerX’s technology. “The future belongs to next-generation browsers powered by AI agents. Securing these new platforms requires innovative solutions and LayerX is well-positioned to lead.”
Eshed predicts LayerX could become a market leader and a multibillion-dollar company. “Secure browsers are the next frontier in cybersecurity. We are confident we’ll be a unicorn within a few years and could reach a $10 billion valuation.”
Island, meanwhile, has not publicly responded to LayerX’s challenge, continuing to hold significant market share.
Google’s partnership with LayerX also provides LayerX access to anonymized browsing data from Chrome’s extensive user base, enabling ongoing improvements to its security technology.
With browsers increasingly central to workplace computing and growing cyber threats, the battle for browser security dominance is heating up and LayerX aims to be at the forefront.