OpenAI has made its first investment in the cybersecurity space. The AI company behind ChatGPT has co-led a $43M Series A investment in Adaptive Security, a New York-based startup that does AI-powered cyber defence.
This is a big deal and a big moment for the digital security landscape. The round also included Abstract Ventures and Eniac Ventures along with executives from Alphabet, Workday, Shopify, Plaid and Paxos.
AI-powered cybersecurity
Adaptive Security was founded in 2023 and has already got over 100 enterprise clients. The company has shown it can solve the problem of advanced security in an era where AI-powered threats are getting more sophisticated and widespread.
At the heart of Adaptive Security’s approach is combating social engineering attacks, which are still the number one cause of breaches. CEO and co-founder Brian Long says social engineering has been a problem for a long time, but AI has made it much more effective and widespread. Cybercriminals can now use AI to create deepfakes, impersonate colleagues and business leaders, and orchestrate targeted phishing campaigns. This proactive approach to cybersecurity training and threat simulation is what sets Adaptive Security apart in a crowded market.
New approach to cyber defense
Adaptive Security is taking security training to a whole new level. Instead of using old methods, they’re throwing employees into the deep end, but with a safety net. Employees pick up their phone and hear their CTO’s voice asking for a verification code, or open an email that looks exactly like it’s from HR. These aren’t actual security breaches; they’re cleverly crafted simulations designed to keep staff on their toes.
They have a deepfake of their CEO, Brian Long, on their website. You can actually interact with this AI-generated version of the executive. Big move that shows off their tech and reminds us just how real AI is today.
Future outlook
As we head into an AI future, cybersecurity has never been more important. OpenAI’s investment in Adaptive Security is more than just a check; it’s a recognition of the dual nature of AI in the cybersecurity world. This partnership between an AI pioneer and a security startup is the start of a new era in digital defense.
The combination of OpenAI, Andreessen Horowitz and Adaptive Security brings together AI expertise, venture capital, and security innovation. This is going to accelerate the development of advanced, AI-powered security solutions that can keep up with the threats.
Adaptive Security’s approach of using AI to combat AI-powered threats is not just new; it’s necessary. As Brian and his team push the boundaries of what’s possible in cybersecurity training and threat simulation, they’re not just protecting data, they’re redefining how we think about digital security in an AI world.
It challenges the other tech giants to follow suit, to invest not just in AI capabilities but in the safeguards to stop its misuse. As AI changes our digital landscape, investments like this ensure our defences evolve too, and we have a more secure future for all.
