Upwind Launches Groundbreaking Open Source Security Model Bringing Extreme Ownership and Flexibility to Cloud Risk Management

Upwind also recognized by CRN as a 2025 Stellar Startup for innovation and partnership leadership in cloud security

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upwind, a next-generation cloud security leader, announced the launch of its “Open Source Security Model,” a groundbreaking approach that brings extreme ownership, adaptability, and transparency to cloud risk management. Upwind also announced its recognition on the prestigious CRN^® 2025 Stellar Startups list in the Security category, which honors the most forward-looking vendors shaping innovation and growth in the IT channel.

Together, these two milestones reinforce Upwind’s leadership and accelerating momentum in the cloud security space.

“Upwind’s runtime-first innovation and partner-first mindset are redefining what modern cloud security looks like,” said Nir Alfandary, Digital Natives Lead at Microsoft. “We’re proud to partner with Upwind to help organizations secure their Azure environments while accelerating growth and innovation through the Microsoft ecosystem.”

Upwind’s new Open Source Security Model enables security, DevOps, and compliance teams to easily and elastically modify, accept, recast, and snooze security risks directly within the platform, empowering organizations to tailor how risk is detected, prioritized, and remediated in real-time. This approach simplifies cloud security, introducing a new model for distributed, transparent risk control. The result is a runtime-aware workflow that replaces noisy, static findings with clear, evidence-backed intelligence, bridging the gap between detection and decision.

“In the age of AI, where teams are adopting new tools and cloud environments are becoming dynamic and complex, it’s harder than ever for centralized security teams to keep up,” said Moshe Hassan, VP of Research at Upwind. “Our Open Source Security Model gives every team the tools to take ownership of their risks, guided by Upwind’s runtime intelligence. This is how cloud security becomes not only more precise, but more organized and accurate with the necessary hygiene. Every action, decision, and exception becomes part of an accountable, transparent, and collaborative workflow.”

Designed for Enterprise Scale and High-Performance Security Teams

Whether securing multi-cloud infrastructures or meeting strict compliance mandates, Upwind’s new Open Source Security Model enables teams to validate and resolve findings faster using runtime evidence and reproducible actions. It aligns technical and compliance functions through shared, audit-ready logs and keeps focus exclusively on risks that are truly exploitable, reducing noise and maximizing operational efficiency. By combining Upwind’s runtime intelligence with decentralized workflows, Upwind makes it possible for security teams to act with speed and certainty without sacrificing governance or oversight.

Strategic Partnerships Fueling Expansion and Ongoing Growth

Upwind’s inclusion on the CRN® 2025 Stellar Startups list underscores the company’s expanding global partner ecosystem and its growing leadership in cloud security. Over the past six months, Upwind has significantly expanded its ISV and third-party ecosystem, establishing more than 70 new partnerships, alongside its growing alliances with major cloud providers and channel partners. The company works closely with resellers, MSPs, and hyperscalers such as Microsoft Azure and AWS to deliver best-in-class solutions and accelerate secure cloud adoption.

“We’re excited to recognize the forward-thinking companies featured on this year’s Stellar Startups list,” said Jennifer Follett, Vice President, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor at CRN, The Channel Company. “This honor highlights each organization’s commitment to tackling IT channel challenges, driving innovation through cutting-edge technologies, and empowering partner success. We can’t wait to see how they continue to shape the future of the industry.”

Upwind’s newly launched Upwind Partner Program (UPP) empowers partners through tailored enablement, training, certification, and product delivery support, driving adoption and growth across the channel. This partner-first ecosystem remains a cornerstone of Upwind’s growth, with full co-sell support from AWS and Azure further strengthening its market reach.

The success of these partnerships, along with Upwind’s continuous product innovation, has fueled a 4000% year-over-year growth rate, with the company now protecting hundreds of enterprise customers worldwide, including Peloton, Bill, Fiverr, and Agoda. These milestones reinforce Upwind’s innovative leadership and position as a key player in shaping the future of cloud security.

About Upwind

Upwind is the next-generation cloud security platform built to lead the runtime revolution. With rapid momentum and a bold vision to unify cloud and application-layer protection, Upwind helps organizations run faster, detect threats earlier, and secure their environments with unmatched precision. Upwind was founded by Amiram Shachar and his founding partners from Spot.io (acquired by NetApp for $450 million) and is backed by top cybersecurity investors Greylock, Cyberstarts, Leaders Fund, Craft Ventures, Cerca Partners, and Sheva, a VC fund founded by former NBA player Omri Casspi. The company has raised $180 million since its founding in 2022.

For more information or to schedule a demo and see the future of runtime security firsthand, visit www.upwind.io.