Strider

Strider, also known as ProjectSauron, is a threat actor that has been active since at least October 2011. This group represents the pinnacle of cyberespionage tools and is considered an "advanced" threat actor, akin to other notable entities such as Equation, Regin, Duqu, and Careto. Strider's operations have been extensively analyzed by cybersecurity firms like Symantec, revealing its focus on open-source intelligence and specific areas like geopolitical risk, IP protection, and vendor due diligence. This unique approach sets Strider apart from other cyber intelligence firms and has allowed it to avoid direct competition. The group has targeted several countries, including China, Russia, and Europe. A recent report by Strider Technologies, an open-source strategic intelligence start-up, exposed how Chinese scientists were able to obtain valuable research and development (R&D) data from Los Alamos, home to the U.S. government’s cutting-edge laboratories. Strider's operations are not limited to the United States; it has set up offices in London and Japan to capitalize on the increasing global awareness of the importance of economic security as it relates to national security. Founded in 2019, Strider Technologies employs 158 people and has raised $112 million in four rounds of outside funding, with the latest round bringing in $55 million. The company plans to use these funds to develop AI-powered intelligence analysts trained on the company's data and methodologies, which will help scale operations exponentially. Strider's co-founder and COO, Eric Levesque, sees a massive opportunity for the company in the government sector, given the challenges with accessing and processing open-source military intelligence at scale. He believes that Strider's open-source intelligence could greatly benefit this sector.