OpenAI just made its first cybersecurity investment

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Generative AI has significantly broadened the arsenal available to hackers and malicious actors. From crafting deepfake videos of CEOs to generating counterfeit receipts, the potential for misuse is vast. OpenAI, a leading player in the generative AI space, is acutely aware of these risks. In a strategic move, OpenAI has made its first investment in a cybersecurity startup, backing New York-based Adaptive Security in a $43 million Series A round co-led with Andreessen Horowitz. Adaptive Security takes a proactive approach to cybersecurity by simulating AI-generated attacks to train employees in identifying and thwarting these threats. Imagine receiving a call from someone sounding exactly like your CTO, asking for a verification code. That voice isn't your CTO's but a sophisticated simulation created by Adaptive Security. The company's platform goes beyond just phone calls; it also simulates texts and emails, assessing which areas of a business are most vulnerable and training staff to recognize and mitigate these risks. The focus of Adaptive Security is on "social engineering" hacks, where attackers trick employees into taking unauthorized actions, such as clicking on malicious links. These seemingly simple tactics can lead to significant losses, as demonstrated by the case of Axie Infinity, which lost over $600 million due to a fake job offer scam targeting one of its developers in 2022. According to co-founder and CEO Brian Long, AI has made these social engineering attacks easier to execute. Since its launch in 2023, Adaptive Security has quickly grown its customer base to over 100, leveraging positive feedback to secure OpenAI's investment. Long, a seasoned entrepreneur with successful exits from TapCommerce (acquired by Twitter for over $100 million in 2014) and Attentive (valued at over $10 billion in 2021), plans to use the new funding to hire engineers and enhance the platform amid the ongoing AI "arms race" against cybercriminals. Adaptive Security is not alone in tackling AI-driven threats. Other startups like Cyberhaven, which recently raised $100 million at a $1 billion valuation to prevent the misuse of sensitive information in tools like ChatGPT, and Snyk, which attributes part of its over $300 million ARR to the rise of insecure AI-generated code, are also making strides in this space. Additionally, deepfake detection firm GetReal secured $17.5 million last month to combat these advanced threats. As AI threats evolve, Long offers a straightforward piece of advice for employees concerned about voice cloning: "Delete your voicemail." This simple action can help protect against one of the many ways hackers can exploit AI technology.

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