Introduction to Doppel

Cofounded by CEO Kevin Tian and CTO Rahul Madduluri, Doppel is using AI agents to flag hundreds of millions of impersonator accounts and fake profiles to prevent social engineering attacks. For Kevin Tian, the best solution for artificial intelligence-powered fraud is also the most obvious: pit AI against AI.

The Founding of Doppel

In 2022, he founded social engineering defense startup Doppel to do just that. And as cybercriminals harness ever more advanced AI models to turbocharge their attacks, Doppel’s AI systems have helped businesses combat them at scale— more quickly and effectively than before.

How Doppel Works

The startup has built AI agents— software that is programmed to autonomously carry out specific tasks— to scour the internet, the dark web and social media for potentially fraudulent activity, flagging everything from copycat websites and fake user accounts to malicious advertisements on Google, Instagram, and YouTube. Doppel’s agents screen 100 million alerts of such phishing threats every day, filtering real threats from benign ones and reporting them to platforms to be removed. Tian says they do this with about 90% accuracy, and they’re constantly improving.

The Threat of AI-Enabled Fraud

“If threat actors can use AI to spin up these attacks for just a few cents on the dollar, we’ve got to make sure that we can also handle that volume on our side,” Tian told Forbes. Artificial intelligence has greased the wheels for cyber criminals to spin up new types of social engineering attacks that extend far beyond phishing emails embedded with dangerous links.

Funding and Growth

On Friday, Doppel announced $35 million in new funding in a round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. With $55.5 million in venture backing, it’s now valued at $205 million. It’s another milestone for the company Tian cofounded in 2022 with CTO Rahul Madduluri, whom he had met at Uber while working on the company’s flying car moonshot, Uber Elevate. Initially, the duo intended to combat NFT-related fraud, helping crypto companies track and report counterfeits. But in 2023 Doppel broadened its customer base to other industries.

Automation and AI Agents

In its early days, Doppel used contractors in countries like the Philippines and India to sort through thousands of potential threats and decide which ones were malicious. But in September 2024, it found that OpenAI’s new models, those capable of “reasoning,” could perform the same tasks. It replaced those contract workers with a cohort of new AI agents and used them to automate 30% of its security operations. Tian claims AI agents have been able to identify more threats than humans. It’s been transformative for the company’s business.

Success Stories

In 2023, productivity software Notion was struggling with an onslaught of attacks, including malicious ads targeting its customers and efforts on social media to impersonate its CEO Ivan Zhao. In one scenario, “[fraudsters] would take our download page for our application, scrape it, make a clone of it, make a domain that looks similar. And so when you visit it, it looks like you’re visiting Notion,” said Daniel Pyykonen, head of platform security at Notion. So it turned to Doppel for help. The company’s AI agents made quick work of those campaigns, taking down thousands. Eventually Notion started seeing fewer and fewer attacks. “We became a very expensive target,” Pyykonen said.

Doppel’s Secret Sauce

Doppel’s secret sauce is a “threat graph,” a map of relationships and interactions between social engineering campaigns — telephone numbers, IP addresses, advertiser accounts. It allows the company to better track malicious hackers using AI as a productivity tool and help safeguard businesses against future attacks. “We want to give the good guys that same view so they could play less whack-a-mole and shut down the entire threat actor infrastructure,” Tian said.

Customer Base and Revenue

To date, Doppel has attracted some 180 enterprise customers including United Airlines, OpenAI and Coinbase and tripled revenue year over year, Tian claims. It has also onboarded customers in sectors like oil and gas, finance and insurance, for which it has rolled out a second set of industry-specific AI agents. “We were blown away by the breadth of tier one clients they had outside of tech,” said Elliott Robinson, partner at Bessemer Venture Partners.

Conclusion

Doppel is at the forefront of the battle against AI-enabled social engineering attacks. With its AI agents and threat graph, the company is helping businesses protect themselves against these threats. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, Doppel is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and provide effective solutions to its customers.

FAQs

• What is Doppel and what does it do?
  Doppel is a social engineering defense startup that uses AI agents to flag hundreds of millions of impersonator accounts and fake profiles to prevent social engineering attacks.
• How does Doppel work?
  Doppel uses AI agents to scour the internet, the dark web and social media for potentially fraudulent activity, flagging everything from copycat websites and fake user accounts to malicious advertisements.
• What is the threat graph and how does it help Doppel’s customers?
  The threat graph is a map of relationships and interactions between social engineering campaigns — telephone numbers, IP addresses, advertiser accounts. It allows Doppel to better track malicious hackers using AI as a productivity tool and help safeguard businesses against future attacks.
• How many customers does Doppel have and what is its revenue growth?
  Doppel has attracted some 180 enterprise customers and has tripled revenue year over year.
• What is the main challenge that Doppel is trying to solve?
  Doppel is trying to solve the problem of AI-enabled social engineering attacks, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

As the world shifts towards hybrid and remote work, Tools for hybrid and remote work are becoming increasingly essential for effective communication and collaboration. With the rise of remote teams, video conferencing has become a crucial aspect of modern business operations. In this article, we’ll explore the latest video conferencing tools that are revolutionizing the way hybrid and remote teams communicate and collaborate.

Why Video Conferencing Matters

Video conferencing has become an essential tool for businesses, enabling teams to communicate and collaborate remotely. It helps to build trust, foster creativity, and increase productivity among team members. With the advancement of technology, video conferencing tools have become more sophisticated, offering a range of features that cater to the needs of hybrid and remote teams.

Benefits of Video Conferencing

The benefits of video conferencing are numerous, including reduced travel costs, increased flexibility, and improved work-life balance. It also enables teams to communicate more effectively, reducing misunderstandings and miscommunications. Additionally, video conferencing tools provide a range of features, such as screen sharing, file sharing, and virtual whiteboards, that facilitate collaboration and creativity.

Latest Video Conferencing Tools

There are numerous video conferencing tools available, each with its unique features and benefits. Some of the most popular tools include Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. These tools offer a range of features, such as high-definition video, audio conferencing, and screen sharing, that cater to the needs of hybrid and remote teams.

Zoom: The Most Popular Video Conferencing Tool

Zoom is one of the most popular video conferencing tools, offering high-definition video and audio conferencing. It also provides a range of features, such as screen sharing, file sharing, and virtual whiteboards, that facilitate collaboration and creativity. Zoom is user-friendly, reliable, and secure, making it an ideal choice for hybrid and remote teams.

Google Meet: A Simple and Secure Video Conferencing Tool

Google Meet is a simple and secure video conferencing tool that integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar and Gmail. It offers high-definition video and audio conferencing, as well as features such as screen sharing and file sharing. Google Meet is ideal for small to medium-sized teams, offering a range of features that cater to their needs.

Skype: A Popular Video Conferencing Tool for Personal and Professional Use

Skype is a popular video conferencing tool that has been around for over a decade. It offers high-definition video and audio conferencing, as well as features such as screen sharing and file sharing. Skype is ideal for personal and professional use, offering a range of features that cater to the needs of individuals and teams.

Microsoft Teams: A Comprehensive Video Conferencing Tool

Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive video conferencing tool that offers a range of features, including high-definition video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, and file sharing. It also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office 365, making it an ideal choice for teams that use Microsoft products.

Features to Look for in a Video Conferencing Tool

When choosing a video conferencing tool, there are several features to look for, including high-definition video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing, and virtual whiteboards. Additionally, consider the tool’s security, reliability, and user-friendliness, as these are essential for effective communication and collaboration.

Security and Reliability

Security and reliability are essential features to look for in a video conferencing tool. Ensure that the tool provides end-to-end encryption, secure authentication, and reliable connectivity. This will ensure that your communications are secure and protected from unauthorized access.

User-Friendliness

User-friendliness is another essential feature to look for in a video conferencing tool. Ensure that the tool is easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface. This will enable team members to communicate and collaborate effectively, without requiring extensive technical expertise.

Best Practices for Using Video Conferencing Tools

To get the most out of video conferencing tools, follow best practices such as testing equipment before meetings, using high-quality audio and video equipment, and minimizing distractions. Additionally, establish clear communication protocols and ensure that all team members are familiar with the tool’s features and functionality.

Testing Equipment Before Meetings

Testing equipment before meetings is essential to ensure that everything is working properly. This includes testing audio and video equipment, as well as ensuring that the internet connection is stable and reliable.

Using High-Quality Audio and Video Equipment

Using high-quality audio and video equipment is essential for effective communication and collaboration. Invest in high-quality webcams, microphones, and headphones to ensure that team members can communicate clearly and effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, video conferencing tools are revolutionizing the way hybrid and remote teams communicate and collaborate. With the advancement of technology, video conferencing tools have become more sophisticated, offering a range of features that cater to the needs of teams. By choosing the right tool and following best practices, teams can communicate and collaborate effectively, regardless of their location.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is video conferencing?

Video conferencing is a technology that enables teams to communicate and collaborate remotely using video and audio conferencing.

What are the benefits of video conferencing?

The benefits of video conferencing include reduced travel costs, increased flexibility, and improved work-life balance. It also enables teams to communicate more effectively, reducing misunderstandings and miscommunications.

What are the best video conferencing tools?

The best video conferencing tools include Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and Microsoft Teams. Each tool has its unique features and benefits, and the choice of tool depends on the specific needs of the team.

How do I choose the right video conferencing tool?

To choose the right video conferencing tool, consider factors such as security, reliability, user-friendliness, and features. Ensure that the tool provides high-definition video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, file sharing, and virtual whiteboards.

What are the best practices for using video conferencing tools?

The best practices for using video conferencing tools include testing equipment before meetings, using high-quality audio and video equipment, and minimizing distractions. Additionally, establish clear communication protocols and ensure that all team members are familiar with the tool’s features and functionality.

HDD Industry Overview for C1Q 2025

The first calendar quarter of 2025 has seen a decline in total HDD shipments, with a 9.5% decrease compared to C4Q 2024, totaling 28.7 million units. Similarly, total exabytes shipped in C1Q 2025 were down about 4.4% from C4Q 2024, with HDD revenues estimated at $5.2 billion, representing an 8.4% decrease from the prior quarter.

Market Performance

Nearline HDD shipments experienced a 12% decline from the prior quarter. Western Digital led the market, shipping 12.1 million units and an estimated 179.8 exabytes of storage capacity. Seagate followed closely, shipping 11.4 million units and 143.6 exabytes of storage, while Toshiba shipped 5.2 million units and approximately 41.0 exabytes of storage. The total estimated exabytes shipped were 364.4 exabytes.

Impact of Trade War and Market Trends

Both Seagate and Western Digital reported potential impacts on the June quarter from the ongoing trade war in their quarterly reports. However, they expressed confidence that nearline storage demand would support near-term growth in storage and revenue. Notably, all HDDs and most HDD components are manufactured outside of the USA.

Company Performance

Seagate reported HDD revenue of $2,003 billion in the quarter, with Mass Capacity HDDs accounting for 87% of this revenue. The company shipped a total storage capacity of 143.6 exabytes, with 132.9 terabytes for all Mass Capacity and 119.7 terabytes for Nearline HDDs. The average HDD capacity was 12.6 terabytes, with Mass Capacity average capacity at 16.2 terabytes and legacy average capacity at 3.3 terabytes. Seagate shipped about 11.4 million units in the quarter with an ASP of $175.70.

Western Digital reported a 6% decrease in total HDD exabyte shipments from the prior quarter, estimated at 179.8 exabytes. They shipped 145 exabytes of nearline storage and 1.9 million client compute units. The average capacity of their nearline HDDs was approximately 17.5 terabytes. The company’s ASP was $179, a 4.1% increase from the prior quarter, and higher than Seagate’s. Total HDD revenue was $2.294 billion, with cloud storage accounting for about 87% of the company’s revenue.

Average Sales Price and Market Share

The average sales price (ASP) for HDDs increased by 4.9% from C4Q 2024 to C1Q 2025, reaching higher levels than seen at the end of 1998. This increase is attributed to the growing demand for high-capacity, high-ASP HDDs and the rise in the percentage of these drives shipped. As of C1Q 2025, Toshiba held about 18% of the market share, Seagate held 40%, and Western Digital held 42%.

Future Outlook

The growth of capacity-oriented nearline drives for enterprise and hyperscale applications is expected to result in more components per drive, thus increasing head and media demand by 2028. This trend may lead to additional capital spending to support component growth by 2027.

Conclusion

In conclusion, C1Q 2025 saw a decline in HDD unit shipments, exabyte shipments, and revenue compared to C4Q 2024. However, HDD ASPs reached their highest levels since the late 1990s. Despite the decline, HDD companies project quarterly and year-over-year growth in their June financials, driven by the increasing demand for nearline storage.

FAQs

• What was the total HDD shipment in C1Q 2025?
  • The total HDD shipment in C1Q 2025 was 28.7 million units, a 9.5% decrease from C4Q 2024.
• Which company led the market in C1Q 2025?
  • Western Digital led the market, shipping 12.1 million units and an estimated 179.8 exabytes of storage capacity.
• What was the average sales price (ASP) for HDDs in C1Q 2025?
  • The ASP for HDDs increased by 4.9% from C4Q 2024 to C1Q 2025, reaching higher levels than seen at the end of 1998.
• What is the expected outcome of the growth of capacity-oriented nearline drives?
  • The growth is expected to result in more components per drive, increasing head and media demand by 2028 and potentially leading to additional capital spending to support component growth by 2027.