Virtru secures $50 million investment to advance data-centric security standards | CyberScoop<\/title> <meta name=\"description\" content=\"Virtru, a data security company that developed technology now used by U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, has raised $50 million in funding.\"> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/virtru-series-d-50-million-trusted-data-format\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Virtru secures $50 million investment to advance data-centric security standards\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Virtru, a data security company that developed technology now used by U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, has raised $50 million in funding.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/virtru-series-d-50-million-trusted-data-format\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta 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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--event js-stickybar\">\n<div class=\"stickybar__details\" readability=\"4.9180327868852\">\n<div class=\"stickybar__info js-sticky-bar-content\" readability=\"32\">\n<p>Voting is open for the 2025 CyberScoop 50 awards!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <a class=\"stickybar__link button button-tertiary\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cyberscoop50\/\">Click here!<\/a> <\/div>\n<p> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"25.935483870968\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"35.222707423581\">\n<ul class=\"single-article__eyebrow\">\n<li class=\"single-article__category\"> <a class=\"single-article__category-link\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/virtru-series-d-50-million-trusted-data-format\/\"> <span>Cybersecurity<\/span> <\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> Virtru’s technology centers on the Trusted Data Format, an open standard that embeds security controls directly into data files rather than relying on traditional perimeter defenses. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/85145\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg 7952w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=505,337 505w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=1012,675 1012w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-2.jpg?resize=1264,843 1264w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\"><figcaption> John Ackerly, CEO and co-founder of Virtru, pictured in 2015. (Photo by Benjamin Lowy\/Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"36.684098185699\"><body readability=\"74\"><\/p>\n<p>Virtru, a Washington, D.C.-based data security company that developed technology now used by U.S. defense and intelligence agencies, has raised $50 million in funding as organizations seek new ways to protect sensitive information in an era of artificial intelligence adoption.<\/p>\n<p>The Series D round, led by investment firm ICONIQ with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Foundry, and The Chertoff Group, doubles the company\u2019s valuation to $500 million. The funding reflects growing demand for data protection solutions that can secure information as it moves between organizations and systems.<\/p>\n<p>Virtru\u2019s technology centers on the Trusted Data Format (TDF), an open standard that embeds security controls directly into data files rather than relying on traditional perimeter defenses. The approach, which the company refers to as \u201cmicrosecurity,\u201d allows data to move across the internet with extra protections, regardless of where it goes.<\/p>\n<p>The TDF standard was developed by Virtru co-founder Will Ackerly during his tenure at the National Security Agency. It has since been adopted as the data protection standard for national defense and intelligence missions across the United States and allied nations, according to the company.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>More than 6,000 organizations now use Virtru\u2019s platform, including major financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Capital One, and Equifax, as well as technology companies like Salesforce and the U.S. Department of Defense.<\/p>\n<p>The funding comes as organizations grapple with new security challenges posed by AI systems, which can process and analyze vast amounts of data across different platforms and boundaries. <\/p>\n<p>Current data security approaches typically fall into two categories: internal controls that protect data within an organization\u2019s systems, and external sharing tools that often sacrifice security for convenience. Virtru\u2019s approach attempts to bridge this gap by embedding security directly into data files themselves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe evolution toward data security platforms that combine granular policy controls with real-time protection represents a fundamental shift in how organizations must approach data-centric security,\u201d said Andrew Bales, senior principal analyst at Gartner. \u201cThe market is clearly moving toward solutions that provide persistent protection that travels with the data itself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The company plans to use the new funding to accelerate global adoption of the TDF standard, expand protection for AI and analytics workflows, and scale solutions for defense and critical infrastructure customers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis is a pivotal moment not just for Virtru, but for global security architecture,\u201d said John Ackerly, CEO and co-founder of the company. \u201cFrom day one, Virtru\u2019s mission has been to unlock the full value of data by ensuring it remains under your control, everywhere it travels. AI represents a seismic shift in business workflows, dramatically amplifying the need for precise, data-centric security that moves seamlessly with data across all boundaries. This funding is a seminal moment as we continue to scale Virtru and make TDF the open platform of choice for data-centric security.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\" readability=\"4.2333333333333\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"14\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Greg Otto\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Greg Otto<\/h4>\n<p> Greg Otto is Editor-in-Chief of CyberScoop, overseeing all editorial content for the website. Greg has led cybersecurity coverage that has won various awards, including accolades from the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Prior to joining Scoop News Group, Greg worked for the Washington Business Journal, U.S. News & World Report and WTOP Radio. He has a degree in broadcast journalism from Temple University. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"popular-stories popular-stories--single-post\">\n<div class=\"popular-stories__container\">\n<h2 class=\"popular-stories__title\"> More Scoops <\/h2>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Government<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Technology<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to CyberScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>   <\/body> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/virtru-series-d-50-million-trusted-data-format\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Virtru secures $50 million investment to advance data-centric security standards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,4550,4552,4553],"tags":[86,4551,4554,4555],"class_list":["post-7792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cybersecurity","category-funding","category-trusted-data-format","category-virtru","tag-cybersecurity","tag-funding","tag-trusted-data-format","tag-virtru"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Cyber Scoop","author_link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/author\/cyberscoop\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/cybersecurity\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Cybersecurity<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/funding\/\" rel=\"category tag\">funding<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/trusted-data-format\/\" rel=\"category tag\">trusted data format<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/virtru\/\" rel=\"category tag\">virtru<\/a>","tag_info":"virtru","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7792\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":7792,"date":"2025-07-11T09:20:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T14:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=85145"},"modified":"2025-07-11T09:20:25","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T14:20:25","slug":"virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2025\/07\/11\/virtru-secures-50-million-investment-to-advance-data-centric-security-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtru secures $50 million investment to advance data-centric security standards"},"content":{"rendered":"