OpenAI has made a notable entry into the cybersecurity sector by investing in Adaptive Security, a New York-based startup that specialises in simulating AI-powered cyberattacks to train employees against social engineering threats.
The investment signifies OpenAI’s first foray into cybersecurity, with Adaptive Security securing $43 million in a Series A funding round co-led by OpenAI’s startup fund and Andreessen Horowitz.
The advent of generative AI has dramatically expanded the toolkit available to hackers, enabling sophisticated attacks such as deepfaking and creating fake documents. These technologies have made it increasingly feasible to deceive individuals and organisations by mimicking voices, emails, and other forms of communication. For instance, AI can now generate highly realistic audio or video content, which makes it challenging to distinguish between authentic and artificially generated media.
Adaptive Security’s platform is designed to simulate AI-generated attacks across various communication channels, including phone calls, texts, and emails. This approach helps identify vulnerable areas within companies and trains staff to recognise and respond to social engineering threats. These threats often exploit human vulnerabilities, such as clicking on malicious links, which have led to substantial financial losses for some companies.
CEO Brian Long, a seasoned entrepreneur with previous successes in mobile ad startup TapCommerce and ad-tech firm Attentive, highlights the importance of staying ahead in the AI “arms race” against cyber threats. Long added that AI tools have made social engineering hacks easier than ever, emphasising the need for proactive measures to counter these threats.
Adaptive Security is part of a growing list of cybersecurity firms addressing AI-related threats. Other notable companies include Cyberhaven, which recently raised $100 million to prevent sensitive information from being shared through tools like ChatGPT, and Snyk, which credits the rise of insecure AI-generated code for its revenue growth. Additionally, deepfake detection startup GetReal secured $17.5 million in funding last month.
OpenAI’s investment in Adaptive Security symbolises a collaborative effort in the battle against digital deception. By combining Adaptive Security’s expertise with OpenAI’s extensive resources, the partnership aims to develop robust measures to counteract the malicious use of AI.