Critical Start
Critical Start is a U.S. cybersecurity company providing managed detection and response, threat intelligence, endpoint security, security testing, risk assessment, and incident response services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Critical Start is a privately held cybersecurity company headquartered in Plano, Texas. Founded in 2012 by Rob Davis, a former RSA Security executive, the company was established during a period when highly publicized attacks against security vendors were demonstrating that organizations needed more continuous and operationally focused protection. The 2011 compromise of RSA's SecurID-related systems was among the events that helped shape the environment in which Critical Start was created. The company operates primarily as a security operations and cyber-defense provider rather than as a conventional mass-market software brand. Its service portfolio includes managed detection and response, threat intelligence, endpoint security, penetration testing, risk assessments, and incident response. These offerings are intended to help organizations identify suspicious activity, investigate alerts, contain threats, and improve their broader security posture. Critical Start has also developed technology intended to support security operations, including its Zero-Trust Analytics Platform and a mobile security operations center application for iOS and Android devices. A significant development came in March 2018, when Critical Start announced an agreement to acquire Advanced Threat Analytics. The transaction was intended to bring the acquired security analytics capabilities into Critical Start's Zero-Trust Analytics Platform. In connection with the announcement, the company introduced native mobile applications designed to give security operations personnel access to SOC functions through iOS and Android devices. Critical Start expanded its commercial model in 2019. After publishing its second annual research survey on security operations center analysts in August, the company highlighted the volume of daily alerts and the increasing time required to investigate them. Later that month, it announced a move toward a more channel-driven model, supported by national distributors and a network of value-added resellers. The shift was designed to extend the company's reach through partners while addressing the demand for outsourced and jointly delivered security operations services. The company also had a value-added reseller operation known as CyberOne, which had operated autonomously under the Critical Start brand since 2012. In November 2021, Critical Start announced plans to separate CyberOne into an independent company. CyberOne's activities included security consulting and professional services, including red-team and incident-response work delivered through its specialized TeamARES group. The separation allowed Critical Start to focus more distinctly on its managed security and cyber-defense business. Critical Start continued expanding its physical and operational footprint in 2023, opening facilities in Lehi, Utah, and Pune, India. The Pune location broadened the company's international operating capacity, while the Utah facility added another U.S. base. The company has also described relationships or partnerships involving technology and distribution organizations such as Microsoft, Splunk, Palo Alto Networks, Cylance, and Carbon Black. In June 2019, growth-equity firm Bregal Sagemount made a reported $40 million investment in Critical Start. The investment was described as the company's first outside funding and was intended to support North American expansion and ecosystem partnerships. Financial terms beyond the reported investment amount were not disclosed. DC Advisory acted as Critical Start's financial adviser for the transaction. Leadership changed in September 2024. Rob Davis retired as chief executive after leading the company from its founding and continued as executive chairman. Scott White was appointed CEO. Critical Start remains an active private cybersecurity company with a business centered on managed defense, security analytics, threat investigation, and related professional services.
History
Critical Start was founded in 2012 by Rob Davis, a former RSA Security executive. Its creation followed a period of heightened concern about attacks against technology and cybersecurity companies, including the 2011 RSA SecurID breach. The company was designed to help customers manage the practical burden of detecting, investigating, and responding to cyber threats. From its beginning, Critical Start combined managed security services with technology and professional expertise. Its activities developed around managed detection and response, threat intelligence, endpoint security, penetration testing, risk assessment, and incident response. This combination placed the company within the expanding market for outsourced and co-managed security operations, where specialist providers supplement or operate alongside a customer's internal security team. In March 2018, Critical Start announced an agreement to acquire Advanced Threat Analytics. The objective was to incorporate the acquired security analytics platform into Critical Start's Zero-Trust Analytics Platform. The company also launched native iOS and Android applications for its security operations center, extending access to security monitoring and operational information beyond traditional desktop environments. Critical Start's 2019 activity emphasized both research and distribution. In August, it released its second annual survey of security operations center analysts. The research pointed to heavy alert volumes and longer investigation times, issues that supported the company's focus on managed detection and response. Later that month, Critical Start announced that it would expand through a channel-led model involving national distributors and value-added resellers. This approach was intended to broaden market access and enable partners to participate in delivering the company's security capabilities. The company also maintained a separate value-added reseller business under the Critical Start brand. Known as CyberOne, the operation had functioned autonomously since 2012 and generated more than $100 million in annual revenue according to the cited reference material. In November 2021, Critical Start announced plans to spin CyberOne off as an independent company. CyberOne's services included security consulting and professional services, with red-team and incident-response work provided through TeamARES. The planned separation clarified the distinction between Critical Start's managed cybersecurity focus and CyberOne's reseller and consulting activities. Critical Start received its first reported outside investment in June 2019, when Bregal Sagemount invested $40 million. The funding was associated with North American growth and relationships involving Microsoft, Splunk, Palo Alto Networks, Cylance, and Carbon Black. DC Advisory advised Critical Start on the transaction, while additional financial terms were not disclosed. Geographic expansion continued in June 2023, when Critical Start opened facilities in Lehi, Utah, and Pune, India. These locations supplemented its U.S. presence and gave the company an additional base for operations and international delivery. Leadership transitioned in September 2024. Rob Davis retired as CEO and remained involved as executive chairman, while Scott White became his successor. Critical Start continues as a private cybersecurity company whose principal identity is built around managed detection and response, security analytics, threat intelligence, endpoint protection, and incident-response services.
- 2024
CEO succession
[1]Scott White became CEO after founder Rob Davis retired from the role and became executive chairman.
- 2023
New facilities opened in Utah and India
[1]The company opened facilities in Lehi, Utah, and Pune, India.
- 2021
CyberOne spin-off planned
[1]Critical Start announced plans to separate CyberOne, its value-added reseller and professional-services operation, into an independent company.
- 2019
First reported outside investment
[1]Bregal Sagemount invested a reported $40 million in Critical Start to support expansion and partnerships.
- 2019
Channel-led model announced
[1]Critical Start announced expansion through national distributors and value-added resellers after publishing research on SOC analyst workloads.
- 2018
Advanced Threat Analytics acquisition announced
[1]Critical Start announced an agreement to acquire Advanced Threat Analytics and integrate its capabilities into the Zero-Trust Analytics Platform.
- 2018
Mobile SOC application launched
[1]The company introduced native security operations center applications for iOS and Android.
- 2012
Critical Start is founded
[1]Rob Davis founded Critical Start as a cybersecurity company focused on helping organizations detect and respond to threats.
Products and positioning
Critical Start positions itself as an operational cybersecurity partner that combines managed detection and response, security analytics, threat intelligence, endpoint protection, and specialist response services. Its model addresses the volume and complexity of security alerts faced by internal security operations centers, with delivery through direct services and channel partnerships.
Cybersecurity service
Managed Detection and Response
Critical Start's managed detection and response offering provides ongoing security monitoring, alert triage, investigation, and response support. It is aimed at organizations that need specialist security operations expertise without relying entirely on an internally staffed SOC.
Security analytics platform · 2018
Zero-Trust Analytics Platform
The Zero-Trust Analytics Platform is Critical Start's security analytics technology environment. The company sought to expand it through the 2018 agreement to acquire Advanced Threat Analytics, using analytics to support detection and investigation workflows.
Security operations software · 2018
Mobile Security Operations Center Application
Critical Start introduced native iOS and Android applications for its security operations center. The applications were intended to provide mobile access to SOC-related information and operational functions.
Cybersecurity service
Threat Intelligence
Critical Start provides threat-intelligence capabilities as part of its broader cyber-defense portfolio. These services support the identification and interpretation of indicators, adversary activity, and risks relevant to customer environments.
Endpoint protection service
Endpoint Security
The company's endpoint security services are intended to monitor and protect endpoint environments as part of a wider managed security program. They complement detection, investigation, and incident-response activities.
Professional cybersecurity services
Penetration Testing and Risk Assessments
Critical Start offers penetration testing and risk assessment services to identify weaknesses, evaluate exposure, and help customers prioritize security improvements.
Cybersecurity response service
Incident Response
Incident-response services support organizations during or after suspected compromise. They form part of Critical Start's broader response and investigation capabilities.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Security Operations Center Analyst Research Survey
United States
Critical Start published its second annual survey of SOC analysts, focusing on alert volumes and the time required to investigate security events.
Outcome. The findings supported the company's emphasis on managed detection and response and preceded its announcement of a channel-driven expansion model.
Brand decisions
2024
CEO successionOtherBackground
Founder Rob Davis retired from the chief executive role after leading the company since its formation.
Action taken
Scott White was appointed CEO, while Davis continued as executive chairman.
Aftermath
The change marked a planned leadership transition while retaining the founder in a senior governance role.
2023
Geographic facility expansionStrategyBackground
Critical Start sought to expand its operating footprint in the United States and internationally.
Action taken
The company opened new facilities in Lehi, Utah, and Pune, India.
Aftermath
The openings added operational capacity in North America and India.
2021
Planned spin-off of CyberOneStrategyBackground
CyberOne had operated autonomously under the Critical Start brand as a value-added reseller and professional-services business.
Action taken
Critical Start announced plans to make CyberOne an independent company offering consulting, red-team, and incident-response services.
Aftermath
The planned separation distinguished CyberOne's reseller and consulting activities from Critical Start's managed cybersecurity operations.
2019
Move toward a channel-driven business modelStrategyBackground
Critical Start's research highlighted the growing workload faced by SOC analysts and the need to extend its security services to more customers.
Action taken
The company announced expansion through national distributors and a broader network of value-added resellers.
Aftermath
The strategy was intended to increase market reach and support delivery through channel partners.
2019
Bregal Sagemount investmentOtherBackground
Critical Start sought capital to accelerate growth and expand its North American presence and technology partnerships.
Action taken
Bregal Sagemount invested a reported $40 million in Critical Start's first outside funding round.
Aftermath
The investment supported expansion and relationships with technology and ecosystem companies; other transaction terms were not disclosed.
Investment. $40 million invested (June 2019)
2018
Agreement to acquire Advanced Threat AnalyticsM&ABackground
Critical Start sought to strengthen its security analytics capabilities and expand its Zero-Trust Analytics Platform.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement to acquire Advanced Threat Analytics and planned to incorporate its platform into Critical Start's analytics offering.
Aftermath
The transaction was associated with the expansion of the Zero-Trust Analytics Platform and the launch of mobile SOC applications.
Recent events
CRITICALSTART announces two leadership appointments[2]
Reported:
CRITICALSTART announced that Jordan Mauriello had been promoted to the newly initiated Chief Security Officer role and that Ron Demers had been appointed Vice President, Sales Operations.
TEAMARES launches DeimosC2[3]
Reported:
CRITICALSTART's TEAMARES announced the launch of DeimosC2, an open-source, cross-compatible command-and-control tool for managing compromised machines, with mobile support.
CRITICALSTART and SentinelOne announce security services partnership[4]
Reported:
CRITICALSTART announced a partnership with SentinelOne to provide endpoint, cloud, and IoT protection solutions, including access to SentinelOne products bundled with CRITICALSTART's managed detection and response service.
Sources4 sources
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