Story of Abnormal Security: uses AI and behavioral profiling to protect companies from targeted email attacks by detecting and blocking illegitimate messages
Story of Abnormal Security:
A Company Born in San Francisco
In 2018, Abnormal Security was founded in San Francisco with one clear goal—to
protect people from dangerous email attacks. Created by Evan Reiser and Sanjay
Jeyakumar, the company quickly grew into a major player in cloud-based
security. Today, it is backed by leading investors like Greylock Partners,
Insight Partners, and CrowdStrike, raising over half a billion dollars and
reaching a valuation of $5.1 billion.
The Growing Threat of Email Attacks
Every day, businesses face carefully crafted phishing attempts, business email
compromise, and malware. These attacks are no longer random—they are designed
to trick humans through personalization and speed. Abnormal Security recognized
that traditional defenses were not enough, and set out to create a smarter
system powered by artificial intelligence.
The Power of Behavioral AI
What makes Abnormal different is its use of behavioral artificial intelligence.
Instead of just scanning emails for known threats, the platform studies how
people normally communicate. By analyzing patterns in tone, frequency, and
relationships, it can identify when something looks suspicious—even if it’s a
brand-new type of attack.
A Platform for Superhuman Detection
This approach forms the backbone of what the company calls the Abnormal
Behavior Platform. It works almost like giving humans a superpower, detecting
anomalies at lightning speed. With this technology, threats are stopped before
employees ever have the chance to fall victim to them.
Story of Abnormal Security: uses AI and behavioral profiling to protect companies from targeted email attacks by detecting and blocking illegitimate m
Protecting the Cloud World
As more companies move to platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace,
the need for strong cloud security has become critical. Abnormal offers one of
the most complete and multi-layered protections for these environments,
ensuring businesses can rely on their communication tools without fear.
Guarding More Than Just Email
While email is the most common attack point, the company also secures other
SaaS applications. It prevents account takeovers, catches misconfigurations,
and blocks suspicious activity that could otherwise go unnoticed. This helps
organizations keep their entire digital ecosystem safe.
Automating Security Workflows
Another innovation is the use of AI Security Agents. These are autonomous tools
designed to handle repetitive security operations. By automating routine tasks,
security teams can focus on bigger problems instead of being overwhelmed by
endless alerts and manual reviews.
A Mission to Protect Humans Everywhere
At its heart, Abnormal Security sees its mission as protecting humans, not just
machines. Cybercriminals now use AI to launch highly targeted attacks, creating
an unprecedented crisis. Abnormal’s vision is to allow people to work and
interact online without fear of hidden threats.
Leadership with a Vision
Evan Reiser, the CEO and co-founder, has steered the company with a clear focus
on innovation. Alongside him, CTO and co-founder Sanjay Jeyakumar has built the
technical foundation for Abnormal’s AI-driven approach. Together, their
leadership has made the company a trusted name in cybersecurity.
Competing in a Crowded Market
Abnormal is not alone in this field. With over 100 competitors—including
Redsift, Material, and EasyDMARC—the company must constantly stay ahead through
its unique AI-based strategy. Yet, with strong funding, visionary leadership,
and a groundbreaking platform, Abnormal Security has positioned itself as a
leader in the fight against cybercrime.
Abnormal Security Timeline
- 2018
– Founded in San Francisco by Evan Reiser (CEO) and Sanjay
Jeyakumar (CTO) with a mission to protect humans from targeted email
attacks using behavioral AI.
- 2019
– Developed the Abnormal Behavior Platform, focusing on behavioral
profiling to detect anomalies in email communications.
- 2020
– Cyber threats surged during the pandemic as businesses moved to cloud
platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Abnormal’s AI-driven
email defense gained traction.
- Secured
Series B funding from Greylock Partners and Insight Partners
to accelerate growth.
- 2021
– Expanded beyond email security to include SaaS app protection
against account takeover and misconfigurations.
- Closed
Series C funding, boosting global expansion.
- 2022
– Introduced AI Security Agents, automating repetitive SOC
workflows to help security teams focus on critical issues.
- 2023
– Raised Series D funding of $534 million with backing from major
investors, including CrowdStrike.
- Company
valuation reached $5.1 billion, cementing its place as a leading
AI-powered security platform.
- 2024
(Present) – Recognized globally as a top cloud-native email
security provider, competing with over 100 companies like Redsift,
Material, and EasyDMARC.
- Continues
its mission to protect humans everywhere they work and interact online
through behavioral AI.
