Interview: Himanshu Gautam, Co-founder and CTO of SecureDApp

An interview with Himanshu Gautam, Co-founder and CTO of SecureDApp, a groundbreaking blockchain startup

Meet Himanshu Gautam, Co-founder and CTO of SecureDApp, a trailblazing blockchain startup at the forefront of digital security solutions. With a profound expertise in blockchain technology and a passion for enhancing cybersecurity, Himanshu drives innovation at SecureDApp, aiming to redefine how businesses and individuals protect their digital assets and identities.

Can you share with us the founding story of SecureDApp and what inspired you to focus on Web3 security?

Himanshu Gautam: I have been deeply involved in the Web3 space since 2018, gaining extensive experience in token launches, NFTs, DAOs, smart wallets, and blockchain development. Throughout my journey, I noticed a significant need for improvement and standardization in the auditing space. Many of my projects underwent audits, revealing a gap in accessibility and quality.

The blockchain industry has evolved remarkably since its inception, transitioning from a niche technology underpinning cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to a foundational technology poised to revolutionize various sectors.

Over the years, blockchain has matured, showcasing its potential beyond digital currencies through innovations in smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, the fast-paced world of blockchain, where innovation races ahead at breakneck speed, is overshadowed by vulnerabilities and cyber threats.

The industry grapples with significant security breaches, including hacks and exploits of various protocols. In 2023 alone, the total amount of funds stolen by hackers is estimated to be around $1.7 billion.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, I co-founded SecureDApp with Abhishek, an indigenous blockchain security firm dedicated to protecting digital assets.

Himanshu Gautam: Witnessing the devastating impact of cyberattacks on individuals and businesses, we saw a pressing need to address the growing challenge of Web3 cyber fraud. One of our key motivations was to establish a blockchain security company from India, filling the market gap for specialized talent in this niche area.

Our aim is to be a lifeline for dApps, securing their journey from inception to scale. Through innovative Web3 security solutions, we aim to provide comprehensive protection against threats and vulnerabilities at every stage of development.

Driven by a sense of responsibility, we launched SecureDApp to enhance the security and reliability of the Web3 ecosystem. By providing comprehensive and accessible auditing services, we aim to foster trust and facilitate the mass adoption of Web3 technologies.

Our mission is to ensure safety for users and developers, making Web3 a more secure and trustworthy space for innovation.

How does SecureDApp define its mission to revolutionize Web3 security, and what are the key challenges you aim to address?

Himanshu Gautam: SecureDApp focuses on developing proactive, innovative solutions that strengthen digital assets, identify vulnerabilities, and adhere to compliance standards.

This effort is aimed at rebuilding trust in blockchain technology and enabling secure, seamless transactions, thus changing how blockchain is perceived and used. SecureDApp aims to ensure that digital assets are proactively secured from compromise across the world.

Alongside this, SecureDApp envisions being at the forefront of resilient blockchain solutions. By harnessing advanced technology and a relentless commitment to security, the company seeks to provide robust protection for blockchain transactions.

This vision is about initiating a shift towards a blockchain ecosystem that is not only innovative but also intrinsically secure, assuring users and stakeholders of its reliability and safety.

When it comes to blockchain and its security, there are multiple life stages of a DApp that needs a security layer for its smooth functioning. We at SecureDApp are addressing the pre deployment audit security, runtime security and blockchain forensic in our first phase.

Soon we would be coming up with KYC & AML products to provide the complete suite of blockchain security, from inception to scale.

As the CTO, what technological innovations or solutions has SecureDApp developed to enhance security in the Web3 ecosystem?

Himanshu Gautam: As the CTO of SecureDApp, I am proud to highlight the technological innovations we have developed to enhance security in the Web3 ecosystem. Our first product, Solidity Shield, is an AI-based scanning tool that offers an audit report in under 30 seconds.

This tool is the most efficient and cost-effective solution available, detecting all major vulnerabilities in the space at a fraction of the cost of traditional manual audits. By leveraging advanced AI, Solidity Shield provides developers with rapid and reliable security assessments, significantly reducing both time and expense.

In addition to Solidity Shield, we have developed SecureWatch, a groundbreaking platform offering continuous detection algorithms for deployed contracts. SecureWatch provides real-time monitoring, alerts, and resolution measures for just a few dollars per month.

This innovation ensures that projects remain secure throughout their lifecycle, saving time and effort while maintaining robust security.

Our commitment to technological excellence and cost-efficiency drives us to create solutions that not only enhance security but also make it accessible to all Web3 developers. By delivering rapid, reliable, and affordable security tools, SecureDApp is dedicated to fostering a safer and more trustworthy Web3 ecosystem.

Blockchain and decentralized applications (DApps) often face security vulnerabilities. How does SecureDApp approach the identification and mitigation of such risks?

Himanshu Gautam: At SecureDApp, we take a comprehensive and proactive approach to identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in blockchain and decentralized applications (DApps). Our methodology involves maintaining an up-to-date repository of all known vulnerabilities in the space, continuously updated based on new findings.

We gather this critical data from standard sources and industry best practices to ensure our knowledge base remains current and comprehensive.

We categorize vulnerabilities into two main types: standard vulnerabilities and custom logic vulnerabilities. Standard vulnerabilities include issues like reentrancy, assembly problems, and upgrade-related risks.

These are common across many DApps and can have significant security implications if not addressed properly.

Custom logic vulnerabilities, on the other hand, are unique to the specific code written by DApp development teams. These include issues such as missing access controls, improper configuration changes, and other bespoke logic errors that can create security risks. Identifying these requires a deep understanding of the custom implementations within each DApp.

In addition to identifying vulnerabilities, SecureDApp provides tailored recommendations and solutions to developers.

We work closely with development teams to implement best practices and security measures, ensuring that their DApps are resilient against potential threats. Our collaborative approach helps build a safer and more reliable Web3 ecosystem.

What role do you see SecureDApp playing in the broader adoption of blockchain technology, particularly in terms of security assurance?

Himanshu Gautam: Looking ahead, SecureDApp is committed to pioneering growth and innovation in the Web3 security space. Our vision extends beyond traditional auditing to encompass a comprehensive approach to DApp security.

We aim to address the complete spectrum of security risks faced by DApps, from initial auditing to real-time monitoring and mitigation, and even cyber forensics. By offering end-to-end security solutions, we empower DApp developers and users to navigate the evolving threat landscape with confidence.

Continual research and development drive us to enhance our capabilities, stay ahead of emerging threats, and ensure SecureDApp remains a vanguard of Web3 security innovation. Our goal is to deliver unparalleled protection and support for the decentralized ecosystem, fostering growth and resilience in the digital era.

At SecureDApp, we play a pivotal role in advancing the adoption of blockchain technology by ensuring robust security assurance across decentralized applications (DApps). Our comprehensive suite of tools and services is designed to address the diverse security challenges faced by developers and stakeholders in the blockchain ecosystem.

In addition to automated audits, we offer manual auditing services conducted by our expert team. This human-driven approach ensures thorough scrutiny of complex custom logic and edge cases that automated tools may not fully capture.

Our auditors bring deep industry knowledge and best practices to every review, offering tailored recommendations to fortify the security posture of DApps.

How do you ensure that SecureDApp stays ahead in terms of technological advancements and industry trends in blockchain security?

Himanshu Gautam: At SecureDApp, we ensure our leadership in technological advancements and industry trends in blockchain security through continuous innovation and strategic foresight. We actively monitor and integrate the latest developments in blockchain technology, staying updated with emerging threats and evolving best practices.

Our dedicated research and development efforts focus on enhancing our AI-based auditing tools like Solidity Shield, ensuring they remain at the forefront of vulnerability detection. Additionally, our commitment to ongoing education and collaboration within the blockchain community allows us to anticipate and adapt to shifts in security paradigms swiftly.

By maintaining this proactive approach, SecureDApp remains poised to deliver cutting-edge solutions that safeguard decentralised applications effectively in an ever-evolving landscape.

What are some of the most exciting milestones or achievements for SecureDApp since its inception?

Himanshu Gautam: Since its inception, SecureDApp has achieved several significant milestones that highlight its leadership in blockchain security:

1. Development of Solidity Shield: Our AI-based vulnerability detection framework, Solidity Shield, has been a cornerstone achievement. It enables developers to scan smart contracts quickly and accurately for over 100 vulnerabilities, setting a new standard in automated auditing tools for the blockchain industry.
2. Launch of SecureWatch: Our real-time monitoring platform, SecureWatch, marks another milestone. It provides continuous detection of vulnerabilities in deployed contracts, offering proactive alerts and remediation measures. This platform enhances post-deployment security assurance, a critical advancement in blockchain application maintenance.
3. Expansion of Manual Auditing Services: SecureDApp’s manual auditing services have grown to encompass comprehensive reviews of custom logic and complex smart contract interactions. This expansion ensures thorough security assessments tailored to the specific needs of diverse decentralised applications.
4. Innovative Approach to Web3 Security: SecureDApp’s holistic approach to web3 security, covering pre-deployment audits, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive post-deployment support, has been recognized for its effectiveness in safeguarding blockchain projects and enhancing overall ecosystem trust.
5. Contribution to Industry Standards: Through thought leadership, active participation in industry events, and continuous refinement of our tools based on feedback and research, SecureDApp has contributed to shaping industry standards and best practices in blockchain security.

These milestones collectively underscore SecureDApp’s commitment to advancing security standards in the blockchain space and supporting the widespread adoption of decentralised technologies through innovation and reliability.

Our conversation with Himanshu Gautam provided deep insights into SecureDApp’s cutting-edge advancements in blockchain security. His leadership and technical prowess underscore SecureDApp’s pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of digital trust and cybersecurity solutions.

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