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Deflect is a Canadian website security organization that provides distributed denial-of-service mitigation, secure web hosting, and advanced infrastructure protection services to defend online platforms from targeted cyber attacks. Operated as a core project by the digital rights social enterprise eQualitie, the platform focuses on maintaining online resilience, user privacy, and self-determination for vulnerable internet publishers. The organization utilizes a tiered dual business model, providing free cybersecurity protection to civil society organizations, human rights groups, and press freedom advocates, while simultaneously offering commercial enterprise plans to small businesses and corporate clients. Operating on a massive global scale, the network's decentralized cloud computing infrastructure processes web traffic that reaches approximately two percent of the entire worldwide internet-connected population on an annual basis. Deflect was officially established in the year 2011 by co-founders Dmitri Vitaliev and David Mason.
Deflect has raised $300K across 1 funding round.
Deflect has raised $300K in total across 1 funding round.
Deflect is a technology project developed by eQualitie, a Canadian company specializing in open and reusable systems focused on privacy, online security, and freedom of association. Deflect provides a website security service primarily aimed at protecting websites from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, ensuring that websites remain online and accessible. Its core users include organizations, not-for-profits, and advocacy groups that face targeted cyber attacks intended to censor or disrupt their online presence. Deflect’s product suite includes DDoS mitigation, AI-powered threat intelligence, ubiquitous encryption, and secure hosting frameworks, all supported by multilingual human customer care. The service is distinguished by its commitment to open source software and ethical technology principles, emphasizing user privacy and freedom of expression[1][2][4].
Deflect emerged as a project under eQualitie, a company dedicated to developing open and reusable digital infrastructure with a strong focus on privacy and freedom of association. The idea for Deflect arose from the need to protect vulnerable organizations and activists from cyber attacks that threaten their ability to communicate and operate online. Early pivotal moments include successfully defending the IPOS election tracking website during the 2013 Iranian presidential elections when other providers failed, and ongoing protection of human rights organizations such as B’Tselem and the Arakan Rohingya National Organisation during periods of intense cyber attacks. These successes helped establish Deflect’s reputation as a reliable defender of free speech and digital security[1][2].
Deflect operates at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital rights, and open source technology. It rides the growing global trend of increasing cyber attacks against civil society, advocacy groups, and independent media, especially in politically sensitive contexts. The timing is critical as digital censorship and cyber threats escalate worldwide, making robust, ethical, and transparent security solutions essential. Deflect’s open source approach and human rights focus differentiate it from mainstream commercial cybersecurity providers, influencing the broader ecosystem by setting standards for ethical digital defense and supporting the resilience of vulnerable organizations online[1][2][4].
Looking ahead, Deflect is poised to expand its impact by continuing to enhance its AI-powered threat detection and broadening its multilingual support to serve an even wider range of vulnerable clients globally. Trends such as increasing digital authoritarianism, cyber warfare, and the demand for privacy-centric technologies will shape its journey. Deflect’s influence is likely to grow as more organizations seek transparent, ethical, and community-driven cybersecurity solutions that align with human rights principles. Its ongoing partnership with like-minded entities strengthens its mission to protect freedom of expression and digital security in an increasingly hostile online environment[1][2].
Deflect has raised $300K in total across 1 funding round.
Deflect's investors include Climate Insiders.
Deflect has raised $300K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $300K Seed in October 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2019 | $300K Seed | — | Climate Insiders | Announced |
