Startup Gladius Fights DDoS Using The Ethereum Blockchain

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Gladius’ platform allows users to rent out spare bandwidth to help fight cybercrime using a decentralized content delivery network (CDN) and DDoS protection on the Ethereum Blockchain. Max Niebylski, founder & CEO, on challenges & the future:

How would you describe Gladius in a few words?

Gladius is the blockchain solution for fighting DDoS attacks and content acceleration.

What inspired you to create the blockchain platform? How did you discover the need for it?

Working on another startup made us realize just how outrageous the prices were for current DDoS protection and CDN services. However, we also noticed that current solutions were all centralized, which is the main reason for charging so much. We wanted to take a different, decentralized approach to providing DDoS mitigation and content acceleration in hopes of the slashing prices of current providers. The blockchain technology was a perfect fit.

The blockchain has been hyped as the technology to solve the Internet’s security issues. Gladius’ platform allows users to rent out spare bandwidth to help fight cybercrime. How would you describe this process to a less tech-savvy person?

Think of Gladius as a football backline against cybercrime. Traditionally there are only a handful of linemen, all from the same team, fighting against the attackers (a DDoS attack). Gladius wants to pool players (nodes) from all over the world to join us and create an enormous backline that will stop any and all scoring attempts from the attackers and protect the goal (website).

The blockchain also has experienced an incredible hype throughout the last year. With more and more startups focusing on this technology – what makes Gladius stand out of the crowd?

I think what really makes Gladius stand out from the crowd is its use of people’s bandwidth. A lot of other projects allow users to “rent” their computing power or storage but none fully take advantage of renting bandwidth. In addition, Gladius is attacking the real problem: DDoS attacks and the outrageous price of DDoS protection and content acceleration. Both cost companies huge amounts of money annually.

What is the biggest challenge that the company has faced?

Getting investors on board as a team of young founders. People are sometimes uncomfortable investing in a company where the founders are young. They don’t know if we can do it, claim we are only in it for the money, etc. We know we are young but we have the skills and knowledge to make this work. We were the ones who came up with the idea and we are the ones developing this project. We are delivering results and we’re showing people that we are the real thing.

You’ve founded only recently, in May 2017. After the alpha phase, what’s next for Gladius?

Currently, we are in the middle of our funding rounds. During this time we will focus on marketing a lot but also we are able to use our developers to improve our current alpha and eventually move to the development of our beta platform.

What do you think the European startup community can learn from you?

We are young and want to encourage more people to follow in our footsteps. We want to show the community that if you have the skills and the knowledge to pursue something, then there’s no reason your age, race, sex, should deter you from that, and although it will be challenging if you prove yourself then you will come out on top.

What’s one piece of advice you can give to fellow founders for their startup?

Startups start with one great idea. Successful startups start with a great idea but then adapt and add other ideas to create a solid foundation. It’s ok and actually encouraged to change/add to your idea based on market conditions, current tech, etc. because it, in the end, strengthens your product and your company.

 

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