DNSFilter
DNSFilter is a cybersecurity company that blocks phishing and malware threats at the DNS level, using AI to categorize web content in real time. It has raised $62M, including a Series A in 2023, and employs 188 people.
The growth story
DNSFilter grew from 51 to 188 employees between 2021 and 2026, raising $62M along the way, most recently a Series A in August 2023.
About
DNSFilter sells DNS-level security software that blocks malicious websites before they load, targeting businesses that need to protect remote workers and unmanaged devices without VPNs. Its AI categorizes web traffic to enforce compliance with standards like HIPAA and CMMC.
The company has grown to 188 employees and raised $62M, with its latest funding round in August 2023 led by Insight Partners and others. Its agentless approach differentiates it from traditional endpoint security tools.
Founders and leadership
Engineering makes up the largest function with 44 employees, nearly a quarter of the company. The leadership team includes founder Branden Spikes, who previously built security startups before launching DNSFilter in 2015.
The DNSFilter org chart
Ken Carnesi (Co-Founder & CEO) leads 59 mapped leaders with 10 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Engineering 43 (-4% YoY), Sales 30 (+36% YoY), Information Technology 28 (-3% YoY), Business Development 14 (+8% YoY), Operations 9 (+13% YoY), Marketing 7 (-12% YoY).
Talent flow
Employees typically stay for a median of 2 years, with many coming from MSP software firms like ConnectWise (10 hires) and N-able (6). Alumni frequently move to security vendors such as CrowdStrike and Infoblox.
Most common previous employers of DNSFilter staff: ConnectWise (10), Zorus (6), N-able (6), SolarWinds MSP is now N-able (6), SolarWinds (5), Kaseya (3). Former DNSFilter employees most often moved to Egnyte (4), Censys (3), Centene (2), Cisco (2), CrowdStrike (2), Infoblox (2).
Alumni worth knowing
The DNSFilter mafia
Seven alumni have founded companies, including Valuance AI (AI analytics) and Right Meow (pet care), though none are direct competitors in cybersecurity.
7Anthony Cortez, was Director of Technical Support Engineering until 2025Kiki (Kelly Stewart) Streets, was Vice President of Marketing until 2023Laura Durfee, was Vice President, Talent until 2026Daniel McClean, was Director of International Sales, EMEA & APAC until 2026Fikayo Adepoju Oreoluwa, was Technical Writer until 2023
Cindy Lawless, was Director, Quality Engineering until 2026Web traffic
Traffic mix: 43% direct, 26% search, 6% social, 9% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at DNSFilter: Customer Service (53), Leadership (50), Microsoft Office (49), Management (43), Communication (37), SQL (35), Sales (33), JavaScript (32).
Where the team actually sits
DNSFilter people are concentrated in Florida, United States (22), Greater Tampa Bay Area (7), Texas, United States (7), United States (6).
Search footprint
DNSFilter attracts about 5,669 organic search visits a month, traffic worth roughly $72K a month if bought through ads. It gained 1,165 ranking keywords and lost 1,187 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 4.00 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 3.50 / 5
- Senior management
- 3.30 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 4.00 / 5
Frequently asked
DNSFilter has 188 employees as of September 2026.
DNSFilter has raised $62M in total, most recently a Series A round in August 2023.
DNSFilter was founded in 2015 by Ken Carnesi, Brian Gillis.
Ken Carnesi (Co-Founder & CEO) sits at the top of DNSFilter's reporting structure, with 10 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current DNSFilter staff are ConnectWise (10 people), Zorus (6 people), N-able (6 people).
Former DNSFilter employees most often move to Egnyte (4), Censys (3), Centene (2).
At least 7 companies have a founder who previously worked at DNSFilter, including Valuance AI, Right Meow, The Relationship Recruiter.
DNSFilter attracts about 5,669 organic search visits a month, worth roughly $72K a month in equivalent ad spend.
The most common skills among DNSFilter staff are Customer Service, Leadership, Microsoft Office, Management, Communication.
DNSFilter staff are concentrated in Florida, United States (22), Greater Tampa Bay Area (7), Texas, United States (7).
DNSFilter has about 43 people in Engineering, down 4% over the past year, as of September 2026.
DNSFilter has about 30 people in Sales, up 36% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 134 current and 174 former DNSFilter profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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