Defguard

Defguard is a Polish cybersecurity company providing a self-hosted, open-source security platform that integrates Identity and Access Management (IAM) with a VPN. The company was founded in 2020 by Robert Olejnik (CEO) and Michał Gryczka (CRO) and is headquartered in Szczecin, Poland. The concept for Defguard originated from Olejnik's earlier work on a remote access management solution called OMNI, which he started around 2008. The founders, who previously worked together at the software house Teonite, decided in 2021 to develop a globally scalable product, which led to the creation of Defguard. The company secured its first paying customers in 2024 and, in April 2025, the entire Teonite team pivoted to focus exclusively on Defguard.

The company's core offering is a unified platform that combines a zero-trust VPN based on the WireGuard® protocol with a built-in Identity Provider (IdP) supporting Single Sign-On (SSO). A key feature is the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) at the WireGuard protocol level, which enhances security for each connection rather than just at application login. The platform is designed for organizations that require full control over their data and infrastructure, offering an on-premise, cloud-independent solution. This model supports compliance with regulations like GDPR, NIS2, and HIPAA. Defguard's platform includes features such as user and device management, role-based access controls, live configuration updates, and audit logs. It also integrates with existing systems like LDAP/Active Directory and external OpenID providers such as Google and Microsoft.

Defguard operates on a business model that targets enterprises seeking robust, private, and transparent security solutions, positioning itself as an open-source alternative to closed-source products from Microsoft and Cisco or cloud-based SSO and VPN services. In May 2025, Defguard raised €1.2 million (approximately $1.36M) in a pre-seed funding round led by Hard2beat, with participation from SMOK Ventures, S20 Team, and several angel investors from the cybersecurity sector. The platform serves clients like investment firms who use it to build secure, private cloud infrastructures.

Keywords: open-source security, self-hosted VPN, WireGuard MFA, zero-trust network access, identity and access management, single sign-on, on-premise security, data sovereignty, enterprise VPN, cybersecurity, OpenID Connect, LDAP synchronization, role-based access control, secure remote access, network security, IT infrastructure, multi-factor authentication, Robert Olejnik, Michał Gryczka, Teonite