Top Layer Security

Top Layer Security sells network Intrusion-Prevention Systems (IPS).

Type Privately held company Founded 1997 Headquarters Westborough, Massachusetts, USA Key People CEO: Peter Rendall, Founder and CTO: Barry Spinney, Chief Strategy Officer: Mike Paquette, CFO: Paul Bogonis, VP, Sales: Jim Williams, COO Mike Cooper Industry Network Security and Computer Security Employees 70 Website 1

Corporate Overview

Top Layer Security is a private company that is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, USA, that specializes in selling network intrusion prevention systems. Top Layer's flagship product line is sold under the brand name of the IPS 5500 E-Series.

History

1997: Founded as BlazeNet Top Layer Security was founded in 1997 as BlazeNet, Inc. by Barry Spinney and a small group of engineers who had all previously worked at Digital Equipment Corporation.

1999: Renamed to Top Layer Networks The BlazeNet team brought their first product to market, an advanced L4-L7 switch called the AppSwitch. During this time the Company changed its name to Top Layer Networks, Inc.

2000 – 2007: The Company’s product line expanded beyond the AppSwitch into a series of network security appliances, including AppSafe, IDSB, DCFD, Secure Controller, and Attack Mitigator. In 2002, the Company introduced its first network intrusion prevention system, the Attack Mitigator IPS. It’s second generation IPS, the IPS 5500, became the flagship product in 2005. During this time, Peter Rendall became CEO. Rendall, formerly of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Logica and remains there today together with several of the original founders, including Barry Spinney.

2008: Rebranded as Top Layer Security In 2008, the Company began doing business as Top Layer Security and continues today as a private company competing against Cisco, McAfee, ISS (a division of IBM), TippingPoint (a division of 3Com), Juniper, and Sourcefire.

References

Network World Oct 18, 1999 - Top Layer Switch Lives Up To Promises Network World Oct 13, 2002 - Top Layer enters DDoS market with the Attack Mitigator Information Security Magazine Nov 5, 2005 - Review of 5 IPS systems Network World Sep 7, 2006 - IPS Competitive Review SC Magazine Aug 16, 2007 - IPS 5500 E-Series Rated Best Buy Red Herring 100 May 18, 2009 - Top Layer named as a winner of the Red Herring 100 award