Major platform redesign combines DNS-layer protection, AI-powered investigations, cloud scalability, seamless API integration and data sovereignty
FlashStart, the cloud-based DNS filtering and internet protection platform provider, today announced the launch of FlashStart 2026, the latest generation of its DNS security platform. Designed to help organisations defend against increasingly sophisticated web-based cyber threats, FlashStart 2026 delivers enterprise-grade security that blocks malware and other threats, filters content, and enforces safer browsing across all devices, combining AI-driven scanning and real-time protection.
FlashStart is already used by 32 million people worldwide and is ranked by DNSPerf as one of the world’s fastest and most reliable browsing protection solutions, with an average resolution time of 12 milliseconds. The new platform, which offers enhanced performance and usability, is now available to ISPs and CSPs, SOCs, MSPs, systems integrators, enterprises and public sector organisations.
Unlike traditional internet filtering technologies that analyse domains or webpage content, FlashStart 2026 protects organisations at the DNS layer by verifying multiple indicators, including the domain, the hosting server’s IP address, geolocation and other server attributes, before a connection is established. This enables threats delivered through malicious websites, internet applications and links to be blocked before users can access them, providing faster and more effective protection.
FlashStart 2026 introduces a fully re-engineered platform, including a newly designed control panel, new APIs and a modernised microservices architecture. It also incorporates AI algorithms that help security teams respond more quickly to evolving threats by automating routine tasks and providing recommendations based on changes in attack activity and the evolving threat landscape.
The management console reduces administrative complexity while giving security teams greater visibility and control through flexible policy management – including customised or shared policies – alongside richer reporting and deeper insight into internet activity through DNS traffic analysis. FlashStart 2026 also simplifies the administration of users, permissions and multiple customer environments, strengthens blocklist and allowlist management, improves threat categorisation and Safe Search, and extends compatibility with routers and firewalls. Public APIs enable ISPs, CSPs, MSPs, SOCs and systems integrators to integrate FlashStart into their own managed security services. This strengthens the DNS-layer security while simplifying administration and creating new managed security service opportunities.
“Most security breaches begin with a user clicking a malicious link or accessing an unsafe website,” said Francesco Collini, CEO and Founder of FlashStart. “That’s why organisations need protection that can prevent users from reaching malicious websites in the first place. FlashStart 2026 is a completely redesigned platform built on a robust and extensive Anycast network infrastructure that has been proven for over a decade. It provides customers and partners with a professional-grade cloud cybersecurity solution that combines advanced DNS-layer protection, stronger defences against zero-day threats, AI-powered investigations, greater scalability and seamless integration into existing security environments.”
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FlashStart also supports organisations with regional sovereignty requirements through national points of presence (PoP) worldwide, enabling browsing data to remain within the region where customers operate. This strengthens data residency and sovereign compliance while reducing DNS latency for users. In Europe alone, FlashStart has up to 20 PoPs, including UK data centre instances in Manchester and London, to reduce latency and improve response times for DNS queries via its Anycast Network. The platform also incorporates the UK CTIRU Metropolitan Police prohibited list of terrorist content, helping organisations meet UK legal requirements for DNS filtering compliance.
FlashStart processes more than 35 billion web requests every day, protects more than 32 million users across over 160 countries and verifies approximately 200,000 new websites daily. The platform integrates natively with virtually any router, firewall and operating environment, including Microsoft Active Directory. Since 2025, FlashStart’s DNS resolver has consistently ranked among the fastest in the independent DNSPerf benchmark.